Treasure Tour

One of the greatest things about touring is all the neat things you can find while you are on tour. So, I thought I would share some of the tour treasures I have found. Not counting one million bungee cords (exaggerated), one hundred thousand sunglasses (again exaggerated), and a billion (maybe not) tools found while on tour. After that there is

5th Water Hot Springs:

After a long ride it is hard to beat this most precious jewel. Many hot springs are on private land and have been turn into money making spas. Not this one. This is maintained by people who just want to enjoy natures treat. You can see where people have come up the mountain to improve on it. 

Keep in mind this is the kind of treasure that people can ruin easily. Lots of people know about this place and yet it still exists. I hate to be pessimistic but I think it is only a matter of time before this is extremely regulated. 

(Strawberry Loop (hot spring is in video 2) Click)  

Indigenous American mortar and pestle. Found in the surf at Parson's Landing, Catalina Island, California. In my research I have not found one like it. I tried to mimic how it may have been used and as I put it on my side to simulate it's use, I found it to be amazingly and ergonomically comfortable. Possibly used to crush acorns.

After much internet research to get an approximate dating on it I found some very differing opinions of 3000 to 10,000 years old. Maybe someone will look at this and give me even more differing opinions. 

(Tanner Greenwood gets credit for the find)

I will only take partial credit for this find because as we were touring the island and made a camp at Parson's landing. We set camp and were walking the shore picking up strange shells and rocks. He then pick up this rock and says "Dad look at this one it has a weird dent in it." Luckily I had some interest in archeology in college and I have been on some digs. My jaw dropped. I said "Tanner, do you know what that is?" I then began to show him what it was. I never believed in luck until Tanner was born. He is the most happy go lucky person I have ever met in my life. Great tour!

(Catalina Island Tour Click)

The "Sun Face" as it is called by the locals:

In an area where petroglyphs are plentiful there is this. The "Sun Face" is in no way indicative of the common indigenous characters found on rocks and cliffs in this area. Discovered by the pioneers of the early Utah territory along with christian symbols it is thought to be carved by the early Spaniards who pioneered this area long before the Mormons arrived. There is evidence still of their search for gold near the "Sun Face". Old Spanish mines can still be found in these areas. The location of this was given to me by a local treasure hunter who says he knows the location of many Spanish symbols but would not tell me where they are. I took a group on a bike tour of this area and took them here.

(Guided Bicycle Tour Click)

Raw gyms:

Agates

Jade

No location given (sorry)


A Million Sunsets (it's a round number):

Peaceful mornings:

Etc.....

To be continued....

Return to Green River: Kayak

I thought I would mix it up a little. It is not to long from now that all you northerners will get the renewing of the snow melt. The sun is already bringing 50 plus degree days here is central Utah. Green is coming through and the flowers are about to take a peek at the sun. What a marvelous  reminder of the coming of a new day. All things are new to be lead forth by good hearts and bring peace to yourself and those around you: make it good, make it count, make it forever.

I will be looking for some new and adventurous trails this year and I love to follow a river. There is something about the sound of water that relaxes me. A river usually offers good terrain and essentially easy access to water and fishing.

So I had a thought from the past that brings me to the Green River. A fews years ago I did a rafting trip on the Green and I remembered a hiking trail that followed the river. Not a very big trail but good enough for an amazing bikehike/fishing trip. So I did some research to see if there were some restrictions on the trail and this is what I found:

The Little Hole National Recreation Trail follows the north side of the Green River between Flaming Gorge Dam and Little Hole seven miles down-stream. Hiking and fishing access are the major attractions. Camping, fires, and horse use are NOT allowed on this section and mountain biking is NOT allowed Memorial Day to Labor Day weekends.

(BLM site click)

This sounds like a post Labor Day fall trip to me. In the mean time there is more scouting and research to do. I think this merits a kayaking trip.

 A few years ago we launched at the Flaming Gorge dam and then spent the night on the river bank for a serine camping experience. It was a great trip full of rapids, fishing, and tons of good clean fun. Some of the group were pretty young and some will get the chance to return again to soak in the beauty of the river, however this time on Kayaks.

2012 Rafting Trip 

Canoe vs Raft

Kayaking trip video to come in June.