Bryan and I traveled out to Trevor's work to obtain a large supply of firewood. We were in luck to find a large bin full of cedar stakes labled "free firewood" We snatched those, and filled the rest of the back with wood pallet fragments. We returned home to wait for Andra and Breanna from their trip at Brighton snowboarding. After meeting up, Bryan Andra, Breanna and I left out on I-80 West towards the desert. We took exit 77 and headed out towards some military proving grounds, and were faced w/ a choice of an interesting rock formation in the valley, or the mountainous ridge to the left. We chose the mountains, since there was a chance that we might find some interesting caves, and also have more daylight. I took the Suzuki off the pavement, and onto the dirt roads. After a bit, I engaged teh 4X4 to help w/ control. Then we found a neat canyon that had a sketchy "road" snaking up it. Looks like a job for the Low 4X4 gear!! Popped that baby in, and we crept our way up the canyon towards Muskrat springs. The road finally ended w/ a nice turnaround and a fire ring, with great views.
After announcing our arrival with loud explosions of high caliber rounds echoing off the cliff walls, we decided to go exploring. Bryan took his tripod and camera to seek out sunset pictures. Andra and Bon went out also to do possibly the same. In exploring, I was able to spot several overhangs, and small caves in the limestone. There was a specific vein or layer of rock that hosted several small caves. After stumbling across a seemingly insignificant crack in the hillside, I found that it went in pretty deep. Very unfriendly towards the claustrophobic sort, but it continued on for a good distance. Andra threw in a rock to make sure there wasn't anything living inside, and then dove right in. There was a tight spot where female hips prevented any further exploration, so she retreated. Bryan and his skinny body then followed, and took my lighter to help his navigation in the dark cavern. He reported that it opened up to a smooth walled chamber, and then continued in a smaller tunnel slightly larger than his head. (possible former spring outlet?)
So the sun had set behind a thick layer of dark purple clouds above the distant mountains, so we descended back to the car to play with more guns. Bon and Andra became familiar with my pistols, as well as the very loud and ruthless Russian M38.
As it got dark, I backed the car in to the turnaround, and dumped the wood into a large pile, and began building a fire in the fire ring. Starting kindling was tricky due to the high and unsteady winds, but as the cardboard started, the dry cedar took quickly to the flames. After piling on the wood, we realized that with random gusts of wind the dry bushes and grass might catch flame, so we quickly cut them back, and hoped that nothing any further would catch. Later we had a nice bed of coals to roast marshmallows, eat smoores, and tell lies. Good times. It was surprisingly warm with occasional fits of wind. The clouds that were in the distant range were now midway through the valley coming towards us, looking very dark and sinister blocking out the stars.
Suddenly, there was a HUGE wind blast that came from the west. It was VERY cold, at least 15-25 degrees colder than the surrounding air. The wind blew hard for a few minutes turning our fire into a horizontal blaze of orange, and sparks. A few raindrops fell, but nothing too bad. The wind died down, and things returned to how they were before, but just colder, and noticeably different air pressure. We thereafter got our fill with marshmallows and campfires so we burnt the rest of the wood, and piled into the Suzuki, and began our descent. Rain began to fall more, and turned into snow. By the time we hit the highway, it was all snow. Upon arrival at home, the snow had turned into a near blizzard, and we saw a power transformer in the distance blow up. Roads being bad, and girls who were sleepy from a full day of activity thought it best to stay the night here in the futons in the main room. Plus, it would make departure to the ski resorts much more convenient that a trip all the way down to Provo, and back up.
After announcing our arrival with loud explosions of high caliber rounds echoing off the cliff walls, we decided to go exploring. Bryan took his tripod and camera to seek out sunset pictures. Andra and Bon went out also to do possibly the same. In exploring, I was able to spot several overhangs, and small caves in the limestone. There was a specific vein or layer of rock that hosted several small caves. After stumbling across a seemingly insignificant crack in the hillside, I found that it went in pretty deep. Very unfriendly towards the claustrophobic sort, but it continued on for a good distance. Andra threw in a rock to make sure there wasn't anything living inside, and then dove right in. There was a tight spot where female hips prevented any further exploration, so she retreated. Bryan and his skinny body then followed, and took my lighter to help his navigation in the dark cavern. He reported that it opened up to a smooth walled chamber, and then continued in a smaller tunnel slightly larger than his head. (possible former spring outlet?)
So the sun had set behind a thick layer of dark purple clouds above the distant mountains, so we descended back to the car to play with more guns. Bon and Andra became familiar with my pistols, as well as the very loud and ruthless Russian M38.
As it got dark, I backed the car in to the turnaround, and dumped the wood into a large pile, and began building a fire in the fire ring. Starting kindling was tricky due to the high and unsteady winds, but as the cardboard started, the dry cedar took quickly to the flames. After piling on the wood, we realized that with random gusts of wind the dry bushes and grass might catch flame, so we quickly cut them back, and hoped that nothing any further would catch. Later we had a nice bed of coals to roast marshmallows, eat smoores, and tell lies. Good times. It was surprisingly warm with occasional fits of wind. The clouds that were in the distant range were now midway through the valley coming towards us, looking very dark and sinister blocking out the stars.
Suddenly, there was a HUGE wind blast that came from the west. It was VERY cold, at least 15-25 degrees colder than the surrounding air. The wind blew hard for a few minutes turning our fire into a horizontal blaze of orange, and sparks. A few raindrops fell, but nothing too bad. The wind died down, and things returned to how they were before, but just colder, and noticeably different air pressure. We thereafter got our fill with marshmallows and campfires so we burnt the rest of the wood, and piled into the Suzuki, and began our descent. Rain began to fall more, and turned into snow. By the time we hit the highway, it was all snow. Upon arrival at home, the snow had turned into a near blizzard, and we saw a power transformer in the distance blow up. Roads being bad, and girls who were sleepy from a full day of activity thought it best to stay the night here in the futons in the main room. Plus, it would make departure to the ski resorts much more convenient that a trip all the way down to Provo, and back up.
No comments:
Post a Comment