An Adventure to Celebrate Our 40th Anniversary – September 2023 – Part Six

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Please click here for – Part Five

 

A Return to Utah, Continued

 

It was hard to believe. On the drive northward, on a long section of very dusty road, a comfortable speed for us was 35mph. This allowed for a bit more speed but also gave me reaction time for the sudden ribs of bedrock and erosion gullies across the road that would suddenly appear. We were putting out a long long plume of dust behind the truck. I’ll add that on our drive in to the trailhead we encountered only one other vehicle. On our current drive out, we had seen no one else. So, it was hard to believe when a vehicle showed up in the rear-view mirror, and came so close to our bumper I could see the driver’s eyes. I could not comprehend the amount of “eating dust” he had put himself through in the amount of time it would have taken to catch up with us. The road was narrow but I quickly pulled to the side to let him pass. We stayed put until the dust was settled and we could no longer see any sign of the vehicle. Yes, it carried Utah plates, as in, "What the hell are you doing in my way."

 

We found the numbered road we had seen on the drive in. It required four low and it ended at a sloping, but usable dispersed campsite. We took in the subdued evening light as we enjoyed dinner in our chairs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning was our 40^th wedding anniversary and this was a superb spot to wake up to greet the special day.

 

 

 

 

 

We were in spectacular red sandstone country. I did not have to wait long for the light show brought by the first rays of sunlight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Lady was soon outside with me. “We have to find a way to get up on top!” she exclaimed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were soon on the top of this rolling plateau of solid red rock, a perfect way to celebrate our anniversary.

 

 

 

 

 

The Lady was in heaven.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our truck is in the upper left of this photo looking to the south.

 

 

 

 

 

And a view to the north.

 

 

 

 

 

“Let’s go all the way to the northern point!” was the anniversary girl’s next suggestion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our coffee mugs had long been empty. It was getting time for breakfast when we turned around to retrace our wanderings on this marvelous sandstone and descend back to our camp.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We packed up and headed into “Sinbad Country” just west of the San Rafael Reef. I was curious about the naming of this broad area on the map called Sinbad Country but could find nothing definitive. I suspect that the desert and sandstone evoked visions of Arabia.

 

Our USGS 7.5 topo labeled an area “Head of Sinbad.” That was impossible to resist. Plotting a route to where we wanted to go had a major obstacle, an Interstate Highway. A long long way from any interchange, we finally solved the puzzle.

 

 

 

 

 

If you explore this area, expect deeply incised narrow roads with lots of sand. We parked at the base of an outcrop that dominated the landscape.

 

 

 

 

 

We were in search of two pictograph panels.

 

 

 

 

 

The first was in a shaded alcove.

 

 

 

 

 

The art work was as amazing as it was intriguing. It was also mostly well preserved.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was another panel somewhere along the cliff face. We enjoyed walking in this sandstone wonderland searching for it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were surprised the next panel was in direct sunlight. The pictographs are faded and pieces of rock have flaked off.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here, Dstretch helped with bringing out the pictographs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We were thrilled to visit this breathtaking place, Sinbad Country. But we were far from done. Several miles away, our topo map showed the small square symbol for a building. Our benchmark map labeled it “Swasey Cabin.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After visiting the cabin, we began a search for a campsite for the night. The Lady wanted to wash her hair (a liter of warm water and a dab of biodegradable soap) and make us some guacamole with Late July chips for an afternoon snack. Our search was a success; another outstanding spot.

 

 

 

 

 

We relaxed and wandered about. I made us something special for dinner, exactly what, at this time I don’t remember. But I do remember the vivid light change with dusk and the Lady’s desire to scamper and climb about on all the beautiful rock into the night.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following morning was another magnificent light show that played across the rock providing an outstanding wander with our coffee mugs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After packing up, we set out in search of the Black Dragon.

 

Our adventure continues. Please click here for - Part Seven.