White Pocket Adventure

Most people have never heard of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument; it is located in Arizona just south of the Utah border.  Within the monument are many hidden gems, White Pocket being one of them.  If you're looking for some unique rock formations White Pocket is for you. However, it is in a very remote location and does require a high-clearance vehicle with 4WD or AWD, depending on the conditions.  Best of all, there are no crowds and it is free!   

Ready or not here we go . . . 25 miles into the unknown!

We are prepared, like the sign says, so we will continue on our way

We are on the right road, it's important to watch the road numbers

We have arrived at White Pocket . . . it feels good to be here!

Follow the path . . . it's just over the rise

Wow!

Amazing!

Strange, but neat formation in the sandstone

What a sight!

It's a perfect day to explore the area . . . blue skies and sun!

What caused this? Geologists have come up with all kinds of ideas, sand-slides, earthquakes or soft-sediment deformation that turned into rock . . . but my "sediments" lie with God! 

I think this is called the Swirl

Kent decided this would make a good wave to surf, he just needs water!

We spent a few hours taking in all of this . . . it's hard to put into words

Most of the pools of water had ice on them

This pool was starting to melt so we could get a little reflection

The textures and colors of the sandstone were unbelievable 

Can you see the small window?

A panoramic view of one section

This is Lollipop Rock

Even the smallest objects were interesting

Half of a Moqui marble embedded in the sandstone

This pool of water is held by a concrete dam 

The dam was built in 1929

This should have a name . . . it looks like a creature of some sort

This old fence sure isn't keeping the cows out

Moqui marbles galore

This pool was really frozen

Water pockets in the cauliflower rock

White Pocket has an amazing variety of rock striations

John looks like a happy camper as he's on his way back to the parking area

Here we are . . . it's best to travel as a group to White Pocket . . . there's safety in numbers!
Ev, Bruce, Allison, Kent, Gary, Susan & John

On our way out . . . it's nice the rancher lets everyone cut through his property

Looking towards Coyote Buttes South

Almost back to the highway, what a great day! 

Aerial view of our route

Quick Trip to Oregon

January has been a cold, rainy month not only here in southern Utah, but most of the western US. We often escape to a warmer climate in the winter, however this past week we headed to Oregon. As is typical for Oregon it did rain, but we didn't mind we were there to visit family.   

Up, up and away!   Leaving Las Vegas behind

My favorite flight time entertainment ... taking in the scenery along the way

Our final descent into Portland International Airport

We had fun getting together with Lloyd & Inge in Forest Grove

We spotted Bob's Red Mill ... I love their products  

If you're ever in Milwaukie be sure to stop here, you'll be glad you did!

We visited OMSI on a rainy Saturday morning

Almost all of the exhibits are Interactive

Kent had so much fun with the 3D Topographic sandbox map ... very cool

I couldn't believe how hard it was to crawl out of this Gemini replica ... wow!

Looking across the Willamette River towards downtown Portland

We enjoyed a family dinner at Elmer's, it was so good to see everyone!

Kent with his parents, Arelene & Forrest

This stone viewfinder shows what you could see on a clear day from Rocky Butte 

Our return flight was cancelled so we had an extra day to play 

Rocky Butte is an extinct volcano, the elevation is 612 ft.

We had fun running around with Kent's sister, Kris

A rainbow send off as we sit on the tarmac

We flew over this mountain peak, it could be Mt. Thielsen or ?

The sun is setting, we're almost back to Las Vegas

This is how we felt when we landed in Las Vegas ...  we still have a 2 1/2 hour drive home

Hurricane Cinder Knolls River Hike

We started the New Year off right with an easy hike in our home town of Hurricane, Utah.  The   Hurricane Cinder Knolls are part of the Red Cliffs Desert Reserve and there are a variety of trails crisscrossing the area.  Whether you chose to hike up one of the Cinders Knolls or head for the Virgin River you will have some amazing views.    

The Trail Head is located on 600 North

Although it was a cloudy day, the temperature was perfect

Colorful moss clinging to the lava rocks

View of the Virgin River

We are headed for the lava formations in the river below

It didn't take Kent long to find a chunk of lava to climb

We're looking forward to some good hikes this year

We'll have to come back when the river isn't muddy

We didn't see the windows until the hike out

No flowers this time of year, just pretty rocks

Back up on top with views of Sandstone Mountain

We could just barely see the snow covered
 Pine Valley Mountains trying to peek through the clouds