Saturday, April 26
Dark storm clouds move over our camp at the edge of the San Rafael Reef in central Utah. I stow the camp chair in the Perfect Tow Vehicle and hunker down with Bridget and Spike inside the Best Little Trailer.
Hmm . . . Should I take down the antenna?
I watch and wait for any sign of electrical activity. No thunder. No lightning. The wind rocks the BLT. Soon rain pelts the windows, followed by a drumming by pea-sized hail. The air temperature has dropped dramatically since yesterday, the day we arrived at this splendid camp overlooking Temple Canyon.
The photos in this post were taken prior to the storm’s arrival. A wonderful thing about camping near or in a canyon is the play of light on the rocks. The San Rafael Reef is a photographer’s goldmine, regardless of the weather.
The crew and I were going to walk the canyon today.
We can do that tomorrow. I did manage a few photos of flowers before the storm rolled in.
Evening Primrose
The white flower with red stems grows in swaths across the coral sand. The other flowers are scattered about, a surprising variety of them in an area to the east of our camp.
Scorpionweed
Some are probably considered weeds. To me, no flower is a lowly weed!
Sand Verbena
Several of these yellow blooms dot the spaces between clumps of grass and sage. They sway in the wind and won’t stand still for my camera’s lens.
Yellow Cryptanth
Not many plants with stickers here. . .
Claretcup Cactus
No goats heads and very few cacti, most of them in bud. The brilliant color of this one in bloom drew me across the landscape to snap its photo.
The little white flowers of this next plant are the “baby’s breath” of the desert plain.
(I made that up.)
Fremont’s Peppergrass
The pale purple cluster of flowers below reminds me of hyacinths. I should’ve knelt down to give them a sniff . . . darn! This is a close-up. The three clusters together measure about six inches across.
Wild Onion
Well, let’s get back to the approaching storm.
This is a view to the west from our camp, looking lengthwise at the Reef.
The light changes and so does the Reef. This was taken at the entrance road to our camp.
A few thoughts before I close this post . . .
The magnificence of the rapidly changing sky, the delicacy of the flowers, the massive, timeless rocks, the graceful ripples of sand, the inviting canyon, the presence of my beloved crew . . . All of it conspires to bring me to tears. How very dark and grey my past life compared to this! How blessed I am now!
That’s why I act like a little kid.
I run around taking photos of posies or stand transfixed by the beauty of a stormy sky. I could’ve missed all this! What if I hadn’t tried? What if I had given up and settled for less??
Thinking of you . . .
If you are bound by the demands of work or tethered by a house that isn’t selling or restrained as you diligently meet personal responsibilities that cannot be ignored or worn out from jumping over one obstacle after another — whatever your situation — don’t give up hope. Hang on to your vision of a better life. Plan for it, sacrifice, if need be . . .
But don’t let go!
If you are at a time and place where you cannot travel (assuming you want to), I share these photos and stories so that, through them, you can experience life on the road along with me and the crew.
It is not only for the realization of the blessedness of my life that my tears come, they come for you, too.
rvsue
“FLASHBACK”
In mid-May of 2013, the crew and I camped in the canyon.
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