Orientation to Capitol Reel National Park

We have had lousy rainy, cold weather for days and decided with a promising forecast yesterday, to head to Capitol Reel NP's visitor's center to see and hear what there is to do.  Were we blown away with the red rock and formations?  Wow! We have now completed the 'circle of five' national parks in Utah, and we both agree that this park is by far our favorite of the 5 - Zion, Bryce, Arches, Canyonlands, and Capitol Reel.  We did not know what this park was about and why it is a national park - it is the largest buckle of the Earth's crust in North America, created 65 million years ago which also created the Colorado Plateau, and this buckle is called the Waterpocket Fold.  Became quite evident as we ventured south into the park, you could see the huge monolithic wrinkle (sorta a Z shape) as we stood looking northward from a great view point. Amazing thing - none of the rock formations was from volcano eruptions - strictly the uplift force from the earth's crust, and obviously erosion over a very long time.

The Capitol

Petroglyphs

Stopped along the way and took pictures of the Fremont River as it meandered along the cliffs, saw petroglyphs, got a great orientation of the park.  Lots of people now since it's the holiday, so we decided that we would do a tidge of sightseeing then take another day with brighter skies to come back and hike some trails.  There a many trails to hike, with great warnings about flash floods.  We could see as we drove along the scenic road where washes were mud covered.  Learned that if the Park has to come tow you out of mud - $500 just for them to show up, does not include the cost to actually pull you out.  Rain showers were coming in again so we headed back to town.

Egyptian Temple

The Waterpocket Fold

Fremont River meandering through park

We drove around Torrey to see what else the town has to offer besides a couple of hotels and restaurants.  Got caught in a traffic jam - the locals were driving a herd of cows to summer pasture (we think).  Pretty cool, got a great flavor of life in a very very small town, timing was everything! Another car who was also stopped to watch the parade, remarked to us as she got out of the car and walked up past us to take pictures - 'you're from Texas, this should be a normal thing for you.' Well, did not want to inform her that we are really from Ohio, and no, this was not an everyday thing for us. Was impressed with the border collie who was running around biting the cows and calves feet and butts who strayed away from the main pack, to get them back into the crowd.  Reminded us of Player (friend's Brenda and Bob's dog) who is also a herder, he loves to herd Buddy when he is over visiting us.

Get along, little dogie!