Archive for March, 2007

Kolob Terrace Road, Zion NP. Utah

Saturday, March 31st, 2007

Even my toes are warming up this morning. NOAA was right, a bit behind in the temps, but the sun is out, energizing the mind but not Spirit. The bum is a late sleeper… the sunshine is right on him through the window, still has his two coats on… I like to watch him sleep, peaceful and always wondering what are his dreams. In the recent past his dreams use to be vocal… some barking, would break my heart when I would hear him cry in short bursts, but all that seems to be in the past for him. I will never know what his first 9 months were like, and don’t care to!

(Finally… maps!!!… thanks Linda…)

Maybe today we will try a run for Bryce Canyon?… I wrote to Alain today… you remember the bicyclist that has been on the road for 16 months from Argentina… as I arrived in Zion and missed him, I read on his site that he had made it to Bryce and already headed even more North… Boulder City in Colorado! And I did write to him that I felt like a wimp… I used Spirit as an excuse not to make it to Bryce because of the cold… that the motorcycle was faster… and the wind chill was colder!… excuses… excuses!

He already has two invites from a couple of my readers… I appreciate the gesture toward him, he deserves it and as I a mentioned before HE is quite the Adventurer and a nice guy!… incredible sense of humor!!! Just beware… he eats a lot… Late afternoon yesterday as the sun broke out to the west we rode the Kolob Terrace road, road I was told is beautiful… up and up we went, no traffic, the scenery reminded me of movie sets taking place in the countryside. Paradise setting…

West on 9 from the park and a right on Kolob road in Virgin.

Sorry that this seems to be a pattern… but we never made it to the end where the Lake is… the road was snowed in, the sign did say… “no maintenance passed this point”. But will try again as the views, the fresh air and absence of sightseers was incredible. The descend happened right at sunset when the sun glows its yellow cast on the facades on the Mountains and Hills. For a while the road took an exit from the Park, some homes were present with their smoke escaping from the chimneys… I would not mind at all some land in this part of the country… maybe some day… part time? Warning… will have many dogs!!!

After talking to a few local residents I have realized that “here” winter will not make an exit for a while! Elevation… I keep thinking we are done with the bitter cold that hit me up on Kolob Terrace, but it is not so. Wondering now if I will be able to explore the west side of this Grande Circle… a ride to Bryce Canyon will tell.

Then it was time to cook… after 40 years of tasting such variety of food, sometimes it becomes intriguing as to what I would like to eat, at the same time the choice in my pantry is limited!

Very limited… I remembered, when I was a kid in Europe, of an Italian dish that basically was meant to use leftover meats… Spaghetti Carbonara… the common recipe called for bacon… I had bought a Dry Salami with Jalapeno (never had it before, but was great…). I boiled my pasta, when done mixed it with a bit of olive oil as for it not to dry. Cut up the salami in think slices, and then again in quarters. Saute in the pot with a bit more olive oil, some sliced green onions, garlic, and… added a couple beaten eggs. Keep stirring and dump the pasta back in… Plate nicely, chopped parsley, diced roasted peppers and plenty of Parmesan… One form of Carbonara, one easy dish and great for camping… You can substitute any meat you have, any form of pasta… this is for two, one more egg is good… Poor man’s pasta dish…

Tomorrow, more riding. The weekend is coming up, the weather is awesome and I feel the Park filling up. Full moon soon which will bring in the Photographers in waves waiting for that incredible shot…

Hope you all come and visit this area… well worth it!

You be well…

Ara & Spirit