June 13, 2009

June 13, 2009

We wakeup to rain again! It is not supposed to be raining this much in Utah. Last night’s rain was also accompanied by lightning. One bolt exploded with such fury that I swore it was next door. Nevertheless we don’t see any evidence of a hit in the neighborhood. I guess all noises are accentuated living in a tin can.

From our campground in the Uinta National Forest we make the most beautiful drive up and over the mountain ridgeline. Our view alternates between snow-capped peaks and an endless forest of white-trunked Quaking Aspen trees. Heavenly! Utah is definitely high on our list as the most scenic state in the Union.

After descending from the mountain we drive for several hours past rolling green hills that decay into gray barren ones. We found DryLand! We also found Dinosaur National Monument. This park preserves a small area where hundreds of dinosaur fossils have been found. From the temporary Visitor Center we take a mile-plus hike along an eroded cliff where we spot a dinosaur leg bone and spinal column sticking out of the rock. That is all the dinosaur bones I get to see. I am very disappointed to learn that the park’s centerpiece is closed. The main Visitor Center houses a rock wall containing hundreds of dinosaur bones awaiting excavation. The building was closed in 2006 because of subsidence problems. After three years the NPS has finally gotten funding to repair the building starting next Spring. Our wonderful legislators waste trillions every year but can’t find a few dollars to protect our national heritage. Depressing.

Besides being a dinosaur quarry, the park is also home to some interesting scenery. In this locale the Green River carved a canyon thru the middle of a large domed mountain. We find a campsite along a flat stretch of the Green River facing this domed monolith and enjoy the dry warm weather.