Description

I own no land, instead I have wheelestate. I’ve been a full time RVer since 1997. Working summers as a Park Ranger takes me to many beautiful places and playing during the winter takes me to many more. This blog is simply the story of my life's adventures.

Moved

Thank you for stopping by. Just to let you know, I'm still blogging but have moved to Geogypsytraveler. Hope you'll follow my adventures. Just click here.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Still some snow in the forest

01 Snow at edge of forest Hwy 67 S NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x779)

After stopping to smell the roses on my way home from town, posted yesterday, I continued up the plateau to see patches of snow still hidden in the edges of the forest.

02 Pond in meadow Hwy 67 S NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x629)

In another post back in April you saw these meadows buried under a white blanket.

Yet I know that spring is slowly climbing up to the North Rim.

And, BTW, it’s a FREE weekend at your National Parks. So get out there and enjoy!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Transitions into Spring on the Colorado Plateau

I don’t consider going to town a “fun” day, especially when it involves having very expensive brakes put on the front of my truck. But it’s good for stopping.

01 Kaibab Plateau Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (1024x595)

And on the drive back climbing out of the hot valley through the Pinyon/Juniper woodlands to the plateau I had cause to stop and smell the roses so to speak.

02 Cliff Rose Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (707x1024)

The Cliffroses are in full bloom and smell as sweet as any rose.

03 Cliff Rose Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (751x1024)

This shrub or small tree is part of the rose family displaying spring and summer flowers .75-1 inch (2-2.5 cm). The later fruit produces a cluster of showy, whitish, feathery tails.

04 Cliff Rose & bug Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x758)

Cliffrose provides an important browse plant for deer especially in winter.

05 Bark of Clifrose Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x988)

In the past, Native Americans used the shreddy bark to make rope, sandals and clothing.

06 Cliff Rose, Juniper & pinyon Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (918x1024)

Not the only bloom found in this dry, limestone rock under the pinyons and junipers.

07 Pink Sego Lilys Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

I discovered a true delight in the various shades of pinks the Sego Lilies exhibited.

08 White Sego Lily Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (1024x964)

I usually see only white Segos at a higher altitude in the park and later in June.

09 Pink Sego Lilys Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (768x1024)

This 3-petaled beauty can occasionally be seen in magenta or tinged with lilac.

10 Pink Sego Lilys Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

The Sego Lily is neighboring Utah’s state flower.

11 Yucca in bloom Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (768x1024)

The long creamy Banana Yucca blooms are starting to turn into a pod-like fruit that looks much like squash and is edible as are the very moist flowers.

12 Desert Globemallow along Hwy 67 S Kaibab NF AZ (755x1024)

After a wet winter, the Desert Globemallow has formed a spectacular exuberance as it lines the highway.

13 Desert Globemallow Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

The many stems offer clusters of bright orange-red .5-1.5 inch (1.3-3.8 cm) flowers well into June.

14 Pinyon&Juniper woodlands Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

The Juniper/Pinyon woodlands grow from 5000-7000 feet (1524-2134 m) in a transition zone between desert and forest.

15 Pinyon Pine with cones Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x765)

The “two-leaf” or “Colorado” Pinyon grows to 15-35 feet (4.6-10.7 m) tall on open, orchard-like slopes of the plateau.

16 Pinyon Pine cone against sky Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (768x1024)

The delicious edible seeds, known as pine nuts or Indian nuts, can be eaten raw or roasted and once provided a staple food for southwestern Indians. I love to gather them in the fall if I can beat the pinyon jays, wild turkeys, packrats and deer to the harvest.

17 Utah Juniper Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x933)

The Utah Juniper, also called a cedar, has scale-like leaves and produces bluish green berries which are edible but I find them a little bitter.

18 Shoe on rock along Hwy 67 Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

I also found a “shoealongroadside” looking a rather dull gray beside a Desert Sage. I believe it to be an invasive species, not the sage which smells rather nice in comparison. Sure wish travelers wouldn’t leave these things behind. And there’s probably one hopping child somewhere.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

SWF – Transept Canyon sunset

a814 Sunset over Trancept Canyon NR GRCA NP AZ (1024x755)

Transept Canyon meets Bright Angel Canyon at a right angle

I love how the colors of the sky mimic the canyon walls.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Soft light on Vermilion Cliffs

01 Mike, Vermilion Cliffs & House Rock Valley Hwy 89A overlook Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

When Mike and I drove up to the North Rim last week we stopped at an overlook along Highway 89A to look back down on House Rock Valley and the Vermilion Cliffs.

02 Vermilion Cliffs & House Rock Valley Hwy 89A overlook Kaibab NF AZ (1024x768)

The late evening light created a marvelous pastel view.

Monday, May 31, 2010

MWT – A new Jr Ranger

Mike spent the holiday weekend here at the North Rim. To find out how he liked it check out his post here.

DSCF7261 (1024x1017)

Last night he finally decided to become a Junior Ranger and completed the activities. He’d already attended three of my Ranger programs. And he was so proud.

To view more of the world, or to share your own, go to My World Tuesday by clicking here.

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