A day to Explore Tooele

Mike returned from Park City after dark last night and told me that his race day wasn't until Sunday, so we would have all day Saturday to explore.  We woke to another chilly morning, although not quite as frigid as yesterday. 

Breakfast, coffee and a bit of ambulatory exploring.

 


Our exploration turned into frustration pretty quickly.  Warning: I am super prejudiced against ATV riders.  This camp site encapsulated why.  Garbage.  Garbage everywhere. There were empty alcohol bottles, beer cans, water bottles and other assorted trash strewn throughout the woods and cluttering up the stream.  This is a persistent theme in wilderness areas frequented by ATV riders.  Mike and I cleaned up our campsite and creek the best we could.  The amount of garbage I saw this weekend could fill a pickup truck bed. 

We loaded up in the Jeep and headed west on the road. And we drove as far as we could until we realized that these roads were better suited for narrow ATV's.

It was a beautiful mountain range and it made me sad to see how people treated it.

We drove into Tooele, so Mike could gauge how long it would take him to drive to the Miller Motorsports Park in the morning.  We stopped into visit the museum, but I'll dedicate a whole post to car stuff later. 

We stopped at a farmers market and were disappointed by its small size considering the amount of farms and ranch's nearby.  But we landed apples, squash and eggplant.  After gallivanting we made our way back to camp to relax.

Elly was less than thrilled with the 50 degree temperature.

We enjoyed a great sunset and good times relaxing together.

After enjoying the fire for a while, we turned in.  He had the Octane Academy in the morning and needed rest. Unbeknownst to us, weather was moving in and it would be a bitter cold night. 

Onwards to Tooele!

We woke to frost.  The Jeep claimed that it was 37 degrees when we finally made our way back to I-15.  It was cold.  Before striking our way Northwest, we stopped for gas in a small "town".  I got the dogs out for a quick pee and Elly made fast friends with a Palomino.  The camera was dead and I left my phone in the car, but it was an adorable encounter.  The horse sauntered over to the fence when it saw us and nosed at her. 

We piled back in and made our way through the vast nothingness that is central/western Utah.  Wow.  Most boring landscape ever.

I pulled out the trusty map again, and pointed us in the direction of Deseret Peak.  North Willow road was well used and we kept passing one 5th Wheel camping spot after another.  I wasn't pleased. A little further west and the road got tighter and slightly more difficult: 5th Wheel deterrent.

We found a cute little camping spot nestled in a grove of changing aspens, butted up against a small creek.  If it wasn't directly on the road, it would've been perfect.  But it was good enough.

Mike and I set up camp quickly, as he had to drive to Park City for orientation.  The kids and I hiked.

Our mid afternoon hike was steep.  It wasn't necessarily long, just steep.  Getting down the loose granite slope was tricky.

We walked a bit up the road and found that our creek crossed the road.

I was so excited for all of the beautiful fall colors.  I collected leaves.  I'm a nature junky.

Tuckered out and hungry, we walked back to camp for a quick bite to eat.  As soon as the sun dipped below the western peak, the temperature dropped drastically.  I would've toughed it out, but I had a four legged dog, who swore she was naked and freezing.  We packed it in the teardrop and waited for Mike to return. 

Another night in the wild on the books. Another satisfying day away, to exhale life's woes and inhale fresh, cool fall air for renewal.

Camping and Racing, an Odd Marriage

Last year, Mike bought a Ford Focus ST.  Shortly after, he learned that Ford was putting together a free racing academy for owners.  He followed the academy's progress religiously and signed up as soon as it opened.  Knowing it would be in Utah, we decided a fall class would be ideal so we could make a long weekend out of it and camp.

We woke early and left home as the sun was coming up.  It had rained the night before and it was humid and overcast.  Surprisingly, we made it through Phoenix relatively easy, and headed northwest on the 60 towards Vegas.  We hit highway 93 and were greeted with a new sight: Joshua Trees.  The Joshua Tree National Park is on my bucket list, but we haven't made it yet.  Highway 93 is named the Joshua Tree Forest Highway, and it it very fitting.  We were treated with tree after tree.

Once through Vegas (I'm sorry, I just don't get the appeal), we pushed onwards.  Glancing at the clock, we knew we would not make Tooele today.  And honestly, after 500+ miles in the Jeep, we were all ready to get off the road.  I pulled out a map, and found us access to the Dixie National Forest just off Interstate 15 in Paragonah, UT.  Just a few short miles down Little Creek Road, we found a small campsite tucked off the road among some trees in full fall colors.

We hiked around before the sun set and made dinner before dark.  

We had another long day in the car to look forward to, so we climbed into bed and snuggled away the cold.

NatGeo Presents: Papago Camp, Fall Edition

It is fall in southern Arizona.  Fall in southern Arizona is vastly different from most of the country.  In New Jersey, for instance, people are breaking out jeans, jackets, boots and lattes.  Leaves are changing color, and both the day and evening are cooling off.  In southern Arizona, people are still in summer wear, but enjoying the mid 80's, to low 90's during the day and nice cool nights.  Those of us touched by the allergy gods are suffering from the grasses the monsoons sprouted.

Allergies aside, fall will always be my favorite season.  At one point this week, I could see my breath in the cool night air. 

It was another week in the desert with no moon.  The moon is about half full, however, it would set just about the time I woke to start my "day".  I still played with my Nikon to figure out night shots: the right amount of light, the right amount of exposure and my fickle remote.  I took well over 1000 shots in about 4 days and narrowed it down to 38.  Then narrowed it down a further 7, so this post is a bit picture heavy. 

On the first day, I was tied up until first light.  This would be the "best" sunrise of the week. 

I sat on a rocky outcrop and watched the sun bathe the valley below.  A few deer were spooked by cattle and took off, but never ran into the sun so I didn't get good pictures of them.  I did enjoy the angle of the sun in the valley.

 

I hiked around a small mountainous area for a few hours and interrupted this little guy's breakfast.

The second night, I was stuck on a X, but made the best of it.

Ye Olde Border Fence

First light on the western mountains

Last time I was out here, I made good friends with the local birds of prey.  This week however, it was as if they spread the word that an annoying news van was in town and fled everytime I pulled up.  I follwed this guy from cactus to cactus until he made me very aware, vocally, how irritated he was and flew away.

The monsoons have also encouraged the growth of swaths of little yellow flowers.  They were heavy with dew this morning.

The following evening, I played with shutter times.  Here is a star trail after 2.5 minutes.

And zoomed in at about 1 minute. I loved the green on Moon Rock.

Just prior to the sun popping over the Baboquivari Mountains

Also just prior to the sun popping over the eastern mountains.

This scene changed dramatically with every passing minute.  Can you tell how excited I was?

A dead giant.

The little birds were slightly more cooperative than the large birds of prey.  These two little grayish blue guys were playing in this cactus like it was a ball pit.

I literally slammed on the brakes when I saw this.  A delicate little purple flower, wound around a painfully prickly cactus.

Then these jokers.  A small family called this rocky outcrop home and played, fought and socialized like I wasn't sitting 10 feet away.

On my last evening of picture exploration, I ventured onto the abandoned Papago Farms.

A few miles up the road, saguaros are thriving in large numbers.

They dwarf a baby barrel cactus.

After the sun rose, I scared off a large herd of "free range" cattle near the Farms.  I experimented and actually enjoy the effect of pointing my camera directly into the rising sun.

And just prior to packing away my camera for the week, I was extremely excited to finally see a Crested Caracara.  He was snacking on catapillars in the grass.  After I disturbed him, he flew to his buddy about 100 yards away.

I finished the week out by feeling pleased with the progress I've made in understanding my camera's capabilities.  While I'm very critical of my own work, I enjoyed every minute I had my camera in my hands. 

Adventures in Rattlesnake Bites

On Thursday (9/11/14), Mike loaded up the kids while I was sleeping and went to visit a friend.  At 9:15PM, he woke me, told me to dress and informed me we were taking Elly to the vet.  I didn't ask, I could hear the panic in his voice and just dressed.

He came home and I knew without asking what happened.  She was bitten by a rattlesnake on the face.  The whole right side of her face was swelling and she yelped every time it was touched by something.  Into the car and up the interstate we went (because why would my town have a 24/7 emergency vet?). 

Mike never saw the offending rattlesnake, and to my understanding, it was never located.

I called Mandy and asked her where she took Meeka in July when she was bit.  1st Pet Veterinary it was. I called in advance to give them a 30 minute warning we were coming.  Mike carried her in and a tech came out and took her from him immediately.  We didn't even finish filling out the basic paperwork when the vet called us back.  Dr. Berko was fantastic, all of the staff was fantastic.  She laid everything out (including pricing) and gave us options.  We made our decisions, put our downpayment in and were led back to see her.  The place was immaculate and quiet. 

Elly already had IV fluids going and pain meds in her system.  She was upset but had a large pen for the night.  They would have to keep her to give fluids, anti-venom, and monitor her clotting.  I hated leaving her. The vet called us before we got home to tell us that her blood work looked good, considering, and that Elly had a great prognosis.

I did not get pictures of how swollen she was.  It didn't cross my mind.  The right side of her face was triple its normal size.  Fluid had built up in her neck and chest.  She looked terrible.

The next morning we called.  At 9AM they ran a final blood test and told us we could pick her up.  She was loopy on pain meds and still swollen.  She was sporting, what I affectionately called, a Mastiff face. (pictures just don't do it justice)

We were actually refunded some money.  The staff gave us pain meds and a course of home treatment: no activity and soft foods for 10 days.  She would be spoiled on raw frozen patties.  Poor kid.

After a good meal, Elly slept most of the day and night.  She was clearly in a lot of pain.  I hate to see my baby so sad.

By Saturday the swelling was subsiding.  We could only spot one actual puncture wound in her nose, so we're thinking she didn't get a full blast of venom.  She was still in some discomfort and slept most of the day.

Sunday was a lot of lazing. But she was becoming herself again.  By Monday morning, she was boring holes into my head (a silent technique she uses to beg/ask for a walk).  Apparently sunning in the backyard wasn't cutting it anymore.  Cabin fever set in and she needed to go explore.  I took them both out to the field for a short romp (don't tell the vet). 

She is still a little lopsided and there is still a bit of fluid in her neck, but she is bouncing back faster than I anticipated. My little trooper. Also, look how svelte she is! She's been on a diet for a few month and dropped 10lbs.


What I learned:

1. Stay calm.  The vet was impressed with how calm she was under the circumstances.  Mike and I made small talk in the car on the way to the vet to keep our emotions in check.  It helped her too.

2. Follow your gut, as well as your vet's advice.  This was our first experience with 1st Pet, we had NO idea what to expect.  They were incredibly knowledgeable and the first thing they provided us with was a "What to Expect" flyer.  Rattlesnake bites are up this year, and they are pros at this point.

3. Money is no object.  It wasn't cheap. And I didn't care.

4. Mind your dogs in open desert settings, to include chain link fenced yards.  Elly has a decent prey drive. Distracted pet parents can prove fatal.

5. 1st Pet was amazing.  I'm honestly contemplating making them my primary vet, even though they are 35 minutes away. Our current primary vet isn't terrible, but I have left there feeling less than impressed on several occasions.  Google could've done a better job.

The Great Arizona Flood of 2014

Today, a monsoon hit the Phoenix area with vengeance.  For those not familiar with desert rains, they can be violent.  Not necessarily the rains themselves, but what they can bring.  Deserts have washes. Washes are essentially dry river beds.  Since they can be dry for 90% of the year, or even dry for years on end, humans tend to forget that they exist for a purpose: drainage.  Humans also tend to forget how deadly they can be.  Whole swaths of Interstate 10 were under water and consumed countless vehicles of brain dead drivers who thought that their Honda Civic could really make it through water up to their windows.

(photo from KNXV)

Entire neighborhoods were evacuated due to flooding and downed power lines.  But most people made the best of the new found (and short lived) lakes that sprung up throughout the valley.  Desert people LOVE water. Its rare to see so much of it here.  And the dry soil and high temperatures will make quick work of its disappearance. 

After a wet day at work, Mike and I took the dogs out to enjoy the lakes that formed in our own neighborhood walking path.  This is less water than we have seen in the past, but still enough to make our water dog happy.

The sun came out by 1PM, and by the time we made it out to play it was warm and wonderful.  Rommel and Elly thought we were the best parents ever. While she isn't a huge fan of swimming, she's an enormous fan of splashing and chasing in water.  And Rommel may as well have fins and gills.

Of course we took video again. Who can resist the joy of a dog in water?  (for those who watched my prior dog/water video, I apologize for the same soundtrack.  It's the only watery type music I have on my PC). 

Also, Blogger's mobile site does not like embedded videos.  For those using the mobile site, here is the link directly to the youtube video.

The Dog Days of Summer

Every year, Mandy and Pete rent a bouncy house/water slide for their son's birthday party.  Every year, once the kids are done, the dogs and adults pretend to be kids.  This year, the slide was different and proved more difficult to get the dogs up to, but everyone still had a blast.

We even bought a harness so Rommel could wear the GoPro.

For those viewing the mobile version of this blog, here is a link to the youtube video.  Blogger mobile doesn't like embedded videos.