Time for a Run

After all that exploring, I thought on our final day I would leave the camera in the RV, and just go for a nice long run.  Here's a tip for you photographers:  never leave the camera ;-)  Turns out my run took me to some amazing places just over the ridgeline.  So I did the best that I could with my iPhone, and took a few movies as well.

Stevie Needs a Shave, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

King of the Hoodoos, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Hoodoo Shadows, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

And speaking of movies, here are four videos that might give you a feel for what was over that ridgeline.  I will say it is a good reason to go for a long run.  But next time, I'm also bringing the big camera ;-)

As I was exploring the hoodoos, I saw someone drive up in a yellow jeep and check out what I was up to.  His dog looks pretty mean in the first photo, but it turns out "Joey" is a sweetheart.  And Chris, a local, explained where I might want to run, he then waited around until I got back, and had a cold bottle of water ready for me!  (I had not brought any with me.)  And then he gave me a ride back to our campsite.  Now that's a Good Samaritan!

Looks Kinda Vicious, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Chris the Good Samaritan, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Joey is Friendly, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Back at the ranch, Carol whipped up some of her vegan Chickpea-Artichoke spread for brunch.  Yummy!  Recipe is at the bottom.  She also finished sewing her wall hanging (a gift for a friend), and it is now ready for quilting.

Brunch Time, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Ready for Quilting, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Finally, as we prepared to depart the next morning, and head toward the Grand Canyon, it was as if the sky, sun, and clouds got together to bid us adieu.  What a wonderful sunrise show.

Colorful Sunrise, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Time to Move On, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol's Chickpea-Artichoke Spread (Vegan)

2 cans (15 oz) garbanzo beans (drained and mashed)
1 can (15 oz) artichoke hearts in water (drained and diced)
1 cup chopped sweet peppers
1 cup chopped celery
1 cup grated carrots
1/4 cup chopped scallions (or diced onion, or dried onion)
1/4 cup sweet pickle relish
1/2 tsp ground black pepper
1 TBS dried parsley
1/2 cup Vegannaise

Mix together and chill.  Makes 8 servings (wraps).  Roll up in a tortilla with sliced cucumber, sliced tomato, greens (optional), and sliced avocado (optional).  Goes really well with potato chips, but don't tell anyone we said so ;-)

Afternoon Outing and Extra Curricular Activities

We enjoy staying in the same place for multiple days, as it is much more relaxing, and gives more time for exploring, or getting various projects done.  This afternoon, Carol and I split forces and did both (in parallel).

Steve explored another unique geologic cone-shaped outcropping and the canyon wash around it, while Carol proved that you can sew and quilt while RVing.  Oh yeah, and baked some bread as well.

Monk Cave?, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Baby Slot Canyon, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Inside Angle, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

This center area had an interesting dome shaped rock outcropping, with a really intriguing cave.  I wanted to rock scramble up and do my best Om meditation pose, but I passed up the opportunity ;-) The baby slot canyon was also cool, and helps illustrate how these are formed.  Just another million years or so, and this one will be its own attraction ;-)


If you have the bandwidth available, you can check out this 1-minute video clip of the wash area and the rock dome.

Dome Outcropping, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Call Me "Jack", Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Life on Top, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol brought along sewing and quilting equipment and supplies, and it works out pretty well. If she sets up on the dining room table, then we'll also set up a portable table in the lounge area, and have our meals back there (or outside) during that period.  Her fabric, supplies, and equipment fit well in the cabover area where we keep our linens and other supplies.

Sewing and Quilting is Possible, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Work in Progress, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Breadmaking Too!, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

This place has been a great place to "park it" for a while.  One more day, and even more exploring to come!

Early Morning in Glen Canyon NRA

So with the threat of mountain lions off the table (recall three posts ago), Steve set off for a sunrise hike around the backside of the gigantic bedrock features that surround our boondocking location.  Right away there was a surprise.

Sunrise over Glen Canyon NRA, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Surprise Memorial, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Around the Back, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Walking around the large rock outcropping, I came across a well-preserved memorial from 2015.  Very touching.  Continuing around and up the backside of the bedrock, I climbed up and got to see another hoodoo, and the rock strata that show where the hoodoo "caps" got their color.

Yet Another Hoodoo, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Where the Hoodoos Get Their Colors, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

I also continued to be fascinated by the thin layers of rock and how the light played with these layer differences.  And so you get to see more of those "stone canvas" photos as well ;-)

Stone Canvas IV, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stone Canvas V, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Humpty Dumpty Hoodoo, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Windy Boondocking Road, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stone Canvas VI, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

It was great fun and a bit challenging to complete the loop to get back to the campsite, after being trapped in a few dead ends.  Such is the entertainment value of going where there is no trail.

Time to Chill, Cook, and Dine

After that invigorating hike, we decided to chill a bit, and the awning finally got deployed, as well as our outdoor chairs and table.  I guess the bright sun and altitude just made this a perfect location.

Carol whipped up a couple of dishes (Pasta Primavera and Thai Yellow Curry with Crispy Tofu), so we'd have multiple meals (and leftovers) that would keep us going for a while.   The Curry recipe is at the end of this post, and the Pasta recipe will be included in a later post.

Making Shade, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Vegan Cookathon, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Now That's Camping!, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Cheers!, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

The Curry recipe looks rather complicated, but it's actually pretty "easy" since it is made in just one pot.  It shows what can be done in an RV with the proper canned goods, fresh produce, and most importantly, spice selection!  These can be prepared in parallel (along with the rice).

Crispy Tofu (Vegan), makes 8 servings:

2 packages extra firm tofu, drained and pressed to remove as much water as possible

Cut into 1" x 1.5" x 1/2" thick pieces for griddle frying (on 2 flat sides)

Roll in spice mixture (1/4 cup Kirkland Organic No-Salt Spice Mix + 2 tsp curry powder)

Heat griddle and brush on a tiny bit of avocado oil to crisp up each side of tofu pieces

Thai Yellow Curry (Vegan), makes 8 servings:

1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, rinsed and drained

1 small orange bell pepper, chopped fine

2 medium sweet onion, chopped fine

4 medium Yukon Gold potatoes, diced into small pieces

1/2 head cauliflower, cut into small florets

4 sliced carrots

1 cup frozen peas, thawed

1 1/2 cup golden raisins

2 15-ounce can regular coconut milk

1 15-ounce can light coconut milk

4 tsp garam masala

2 tsp cumin

1 TBS turmeric

1 TBS coriander

1 teaspoon ground sea salt

1/2 cup nutritional yeast

3 TBS fresh ginger, minced

8 garlic cloves, minced

1 TBS dried lemongrass

Add all ingredients in Dutch Oven. Simmer covered for 2 hours, stir every 30 mins.

Add 1-2 cans of water (optional) for desired consistency
Serve curry over brown rice, and top with Crispy Tofu

Time to Explore

Carol and I set out to explore the area.  Because this isn't a National Park, you won't find any "trails" per se.  Just endless opportunities to follow your nose.  Which we love, though you do need to keep your thinking cap on, as you can also run into dead ends and have to back track.  So bring plenty of water ;-)

Time to Explore, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Let's Head That Way, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Another Photographer, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Looks Like a Good Trail, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

That Show's the Scale, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Boondocking "Neighbor", Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Carol Meets a Hoodoo, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Pretty Amazing Landscape, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

We were really awe-inspired by this landscape, and our ability to just rock scramble our way around.  We got a pretty good workout, and some decent elevation, and oh what cool views.  The interesting rock formations above we called "mushrooms" but are apparently really called "hoodoos".  They are any class of pillar or capped rock that is formed by erosion over eons.  The Tent Rocks we posted about early are caused by the same process.  Really interesting, as are all of the color contrasts.

I also really was captivated by the textures and shadows (it was still early in the day) of the bedrock we were walking on, and as you will see in this and subsequent posts, I felt the need to try and capture it in a photograph.

Lone Rockin Lake Powell and Thistle Dew Too, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stone Canves I, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

High Five, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Another Hoodoo, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stone Canvas II, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Lake Powell is Rather Low, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Stone Canvas III, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Lots of pictures in this post, and more to come since we spent four nights here ;-)  Each day I explored a different area, all within walking/hiking/jogging distance.  This is a wonderful (and free) natural resource, and I highly recommend the area.  See the previous post for GPS coordinates of our boondocking spot.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

So we arrived before the sun went down -- always a good thing, especially when you are simply driving to a GPS coordinate, hoping no one has taken the spot, and that you can navigate the (sometimes hairy) dirt road.

And this place turned out to be wonderful and we highly recommended!  Here are the GPS coordinates if you find yourself near Page, AZ:  GPS: 36.994201 -111.60102 .

Pleasantly Surprised, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (NRA), March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Our Own Burning Bush?, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Every Rock Needs a Good Wash, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Small Problem -- Mountain Lion?, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

On our quick sunset exploration, we come across the tracks above.  You can see my sneaker print, and then some small animal and large animal prints.  Might those large ones be mountain lion tracks?  Carol concludes my early morning forays are now off the table :-(  We should avoid venturing far during dusk and dawn.

Hunker Down at Sunset, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Staying Close at Sunrise, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Coraling the Sunbeams, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Weathered and Rusty, Glen Canyon NRA, March 2017 © Steven Crisp  [Click on the photo to enlarge]

Well, fortunately after some research online, we concluded those were only dog tracks (admittedly, a big dog), because mountain lions (and all "cats") don't leave claw marks, since their claws retract.  So now I am given the green light to explore during those "golden light" hours.  Yeah!