Before I comment about today I would like to mention that a storm rolled in over Canyonlands yesterday which enabled me to get some interesting shots.  I actually enjoy stormy looking skies as it creates a lot more dramatic photos then a blue sky without anything in it.  Also I mentioned I had planned on taking Shafer Road yesterday but not knowing the road condition opted to turn back.  Well the picture above is of Shafer Road as it goes up the site of the Mesa.  Pictures don’t actually do it justice as you just don’t get the sense of depth into the canyon.I am sure I could have made it but it I would have been white knuckled the whole way especially since I have a fear of heights.  Notice the white 4×4 truck in the center of the photograph that may help give you a sense of scale.

View through Mesa Arch

I headed for Capitol Reef without stopping for gas, I realized as my tank was getting low that I hadn’t seen many gas stations,  I was beginning to worry I might run out and this was not a area you would want to run out of gas.  I did make it to a gas before running out and considered myself very fortunate.  In fact the area was so deserted without much sense of color I was beginning to think I would not like Capitol Reef at all.  But as I turned onto the road leading to the park a valley started getting green and you could see a creek running.  I took the road as it twisted between the valley ever upward and came into the Capitol Reef Park.  I passed by an old town called Fruita with Apple, Pear, Peach, and Plum trees.  An orchard in the desert who would have thought?  It would appear that the Mormon’s after being persecuted for polygamy moved in and settled the area and the soil, water, and climate made it ideal for growing fruit trees.  The town is now gone but some of the structures still remain as well as the orchards which the park service now maintains.  They have U-pick station at a couple orchards where you can pick what you want for $1 a pound.  There is a lot to see here it has both history and scenic views.

Loa, Utah outside of Capitol Reef

Heading out of Capitol Reef I went a different way and ended up going through several small towns.  I fell in love with these little towns especially Torrey and Bicknell, Utah.  Lyman and Loa are also very pretty and give you the sense of small town America that you just don’t seem to get any place else.  The shops and stuff are not chain stores for the most part.  There is not a lot of signage all over the place, no billboards advertising McDonald’s or the lottery.  Just small towns with lots of natural and rural beauty.  I got a sense I could live there forever and be happy being a part of the community.  Maybe it was the fading light and the sunset with its golden hues over the land, maybe it was the lack of Wal-mart but whatever it was it felt right.

I ended up in the town of Richfield, Utah where I am currently spending the night.  It’s a nice town along the the interstate.  I am staying at the Knight’s Inn here and it is inexpensive at $40 a night and is nicer then the Super 8 I stayed in last night.  If you come this way I would recommend staying here.