Tuesday, April 19, 2011 - Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey UT
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Dawn on the Ridge, Looking West, Escalante UT, April 14, 2011
Making a supply run
After spending a few days on the ridge east of Escalante UT I needed some supplies. Groceries mostly. And the cell phone and internet service I assumed I'd find in town. And a laundromat. So off I went, first to Torrey and when that didn't pan out I continued west to Loa where I found groceries. Sort of - the selection is rather limited in this rural area. Then back to Bicknell, between Loa and Torrey, for a serviceable laundromat at a motel, and great 3G Verizon broadband service. A successful day overall - now it's back into the canyon at Fruita for a few days.
Night camp
Site 7 - Fruita Campground, Capitol Reef National Park, Torrey UT
- No Verizon cell phone service is available here - and no broadband.
- Locate on my Night Camps map
- Check the weather here
Rice Toss
After the dinner our hosts conducted us to the beach. Among the presents was a large supply rice for the fleet. It was put up in straw sacks or bales containing about 125 pounds each. By the pile stood a company of athletes or gymnasts chosen from the peasantry for their strength and size and trained for the service and entertainment of the court. At a signal from their leader, who was himself a giant of muscle and fat, a sort of human Jumbo, they began transporting the rice to the boats. It was more frolic than work. Some of thembore a bale on each hand above their heads, some would carry two laid crosswise on the shoulders and head, while others performed dextrous feats of tossing, catching, balancing them, or turning somersaults with them. I saw one nimble Titan fasten his talons in a sack, throw it down on the sand still keeping his hold, turn a somersault over it, throw it over him as he revolved, and come down sitting on the beach with the sack in his lap. Beat that who can. If you imagine it "as easy as preaching," try it the next time in a gymnasium. But let me advise you, first make your will.
The Logbook of the Captains Clerk, John J. Sewell, Lakeside Press, 1995 pg 256