It's Always Something...

When we turned on the TV Wednesday evening,  the audio responded but the video didn't.  After trying all manner of sophisticated strategies, including un- and re-plugging, cord-jiggling, manual perusing, etc., we concluded: it's broken.  Television without a picture is radio, only less.  Thanks heavens for the internet!  And Amazon!  A new, larger set is on its way and should arrive early next week.

This morning, Fred switched on the gas furnace...and nothing happened.  The silver lining to this situation is that the weather has improved; daytime temps generally reach the low 70*s and overnight temps usually remain above 40*. The electric space heater counters the morning chill in the living area.  The bedroom is too small to use the heater but two blankets and a heated mattress pad keep us warm.

Yesterday was our second day off for this week and we had a continuation of the perfect weather.  Our destination was Cottonwood  Canyon Narrows, only 25 miles away but in a different world.  (For such a huge place, the topography of Utah changes suddenly and dramatically--there is nothing gradual or tentative, no transitions  just--BANG! there it is.)  Along the way, we took a short side-trip to Grosvenor's Arch, which is actually a double arch.  (You can read the particulars below.)  To reach the arch, you travel a packed clay road through dry, desolate country with no hint of humans except that track and barbed wire strung between weathered posts.  From the parking area you walk to the base of the arch on a concrete sidewalk!?!

Grosvenor's Arch

No such amenities at Cottonwood Narrows!  We found several entry points into the canyon and managed to select one of the steepest.  The canyon was immediately deeper, darker and drier than Willis Creek.  We saw scores of lizards skittering over boulders and into crevices and several varieties of wildflowers.  The hot, dry, rocky conditions must be the ideal environment for the vibrant Indian paintbrush.

The most difficult aspect of this 'hike,' actually a mile and a half walk,  was trudging through deep, soft sand--a lot of effort resulting in little forward progress.  There was no water in the channel and only one spot that required scrambling over a rockfall.



Obligatory Tree Picture

Because of the sand, we chose to return to the parking lot via the road rather than going up-canyon.  Although it was a hot and exposed route, it provided views of amazing landforms and colors.

Saw many of these along and even in the road to Cottonwood Canyon.  He was

the only one who posed for a portrait.