Each time I travel from Arizona, I have a choice. Do I head toward New Mexico, Utah or California? Each state has more than enough new places for me to discover! So, with each departure l vary my exiting direction from Arizona. This trip, Idaho is my destination. I decided to drive through Arizona, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming to arrive in Idaho. Rarely do I ever travel a straight line from point A to B!
Utah: An advantage of being down this road before, I stopped at Fort Bluff’s bakery for snickerdoodle cookies. More about that in a future blog post. I am sure to compare their cookie with another snickerdoodle purchase in Arizona. If I don’t, know these cookies are tasty!
Bears Ears is a great place to visit as I have done so in the past. This time I traveled through Bears Ears to the Needles District of Canyonlands National Park with a stop at “Newspaper Rock”. I spent time studying the petroglyph panel etched in the sandstone and would love to know the symbol’s meanings or message. Individuals 2,000 years ago to more current historic time were either sending a message, doodling or leaving their clan’s symbol. Will we ever truly know?
Canyonlands National Park is comprised of four areas. This is the “Needles District”. Past times I enjoyed mountain biking the slick rock. I look at the slick rock areas now and think, was I crazy then?
I drove the long 20-something miles to Canyonlands Visitor Center, then more miles for a good view of the “needles”. My short hikes were truly short. The air temperature was close to 100 degrees. Between sun, wind and heat, I limited my activities and worked at staying hydrated! (I say “worked” because I made a conscious effort to remind myself to sip water at regular intervals.)
Before I close, I wish to remind all, myself included, to be “heat aware”. Lately, people have died, possibly unaware of the risk: excessive heat can cause death. Well intentioned people may have water, but not drinking enough of it to meet their body’s need or have run out of water while on the trail. (Side note: you can dehydrate in any temperature.) Well intentioned people may know the trail, but not recognize soon enough they are lost.
Singularly, each scenario can be a problem and can lead to a tragic outcome. Combine these two: not enough intake of water and being lost most certainly can end in tragedy. I have unfortunately experienced each situation individually …. been dehydrated and other times lost. I am saddened when I hear of people losing their lives, but also understand how it can happen. So please be aware, especially when in excessive heat. Stay safe! Stay alive!
