Return to Canyon Country...

[westcoastas]

Back in mid-March we returned for our third spring in The Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument in southern Utah. Here are some notes from our visit:

We are only five miles outside of Escalante’s eastern edge and a mere two-tenths of a mile off Highway 12, on a dirt road’s side out, between some trees. Once in a great while in the distance, a car or truck drifts by, heading into town or down into the canyons and the Escalante River. But when I get to spend a day tooling around the trailer with my wife inside preparing a hearty breakfast and not a soul to be seen or machine to be heard, with only the sound of the northwesterly breeze pushing through our open windows, it is when I am happiest, the most content. It is easy to feel I am in a place of solitude, far away from the machinations of our current state - the struggles between the powerful and weak, the idealists and the grinders. I am transported, if but for a couple weeks, to the simple life where activity is marked by the arc of the sun and not the hands of a clock. And when the sun goes down and the early spring coolness sets in, the stillness is even more evident as it stretches out into blackness save for the undiminished country stars competing with no one and thus able to show us again just how small we are and always will be.

[westcoastas]

“A man on foot, on horseback or on a bicycle will see more, feel more, enjoy more in one mile than the motorized tourists can in a hundred miles.”

- Ed Abbey

(Well, maybe after you get out there with your Airstream.)

[westcoastas]

We pulled up stakes, made a visit to the local campground sewage dump, and crossed our fingers as we headed to our favorite boondocking spot - Spencer Flat (Sheffield) Road. Amazingly, this spot was our very first boondocking experience two years ago - what an incredible opportunity. We saw a few trucks and cars earlier in the morning while scouting and were resigned to being turned away yet again. But...we're back.


"Wilderness is not a luxury but a necessity of the human spirit."

- Ed Abbey

[westcoastas]

"Honey?"
"Yes, dear."
"Storm's a comin'..."

[westcoastas]

Big Spencer Flat and The Straight Cliffs...

[westcoastas]

We never had much square footage and now we have even less. But oh, the cubic footage outside our door...

[westcoastas]

With the changing of seasons there is a changing of addresses. After boondocking 28 days we said good-bye to our third spring in the Grand Staircase and our local friends. When one stays long enough to be more than just a tourist, there is a sadness in leaving; a sense of comfort and belonging develops even over a period of just a month. We especially love our cliffside spot with its Room with a View, innumerable patterns of color and surfaces, daily changes in weather, and our own backyard landscaping put in by a gardener way beyond our abilities.

When I was a young boy and camping with my parents off Oregon's coast, I walked away from the campsite just before departing for home. I found a young pine tree and held it, closed my eyes and wished that moment could last forever - I loved being outside that much. I'm much older now and know one cannot hold onto something in this life forever. But I do know I prefer to at least be around trees, mountains, canyons, cold waters and blue skies as long as possible.

And that's why we live in our Airstream.

[spenfolder]

westcoastas,

I love reading your posts. And your pictures are incredible.

[Outdoorpeak]

Thank you for this wonderful post! You've reminded me of what brings me joy....

[Lily&Me]

Beautiful.


Maggie

[jayseejay]

You're an outstanding writer, channeling the Mr. Abbey. I really enjoy your posts. Joe

[Lumatic]

A very special place

[Driftin Di]

Wow! Amazing!! Really enjoy reading your post and seeing your photos! Thank you for sharing!!! Keep on writing and posting!!

[369goose]

Just returned from nature and solitude. Our AS is unpacked and put away till next time.

You've helped keep our priorities in order, thanks!