May 4 - Petrified State Park (Escalante)

I arrive in Escalante. I'm looking for Bubba's as I drive thru. I find Nemo's but missing Bubba's. I drive back thru decide to eat at Nemo's. Hmmm, burger or pulled pork. Pulled Pork is the winner. 

It's 60 degrees while waiting for my order but the wind is so strong and cold, I need to grab my lite winter coat. I'm not the only person grabbing a warmer coat. By the time my food arrives, it's back to my car to eat it; just too windy and cold.

Good food!

Time to head for the State Park!

It's only 1.5 miles out of town. 

At the gate, they were surprised to see my park pass.

I head to trail which is right around the corner. Still super windy here and mostly cloudy.

I only take my camera and start up.

It's a nature trail with various stops and I have the map. First stop is Balanced Rock

And there's a great view from it!!

I see a bunch of people and I think I must be going the wrong way because they are all heading in the opposite direction. I realize later that I too will be going back on the same trail after completing a loop that is still up ahead.

I spot a hummingbird. It was there only briefly.

There are a few flowers 

- including vetch go figure :)

And surprise, I see a Checkered White butterfly. Surprised because it is so cloudy.

I keep looking for Petrified Wood but it's not until stop 13 where the wood is present. It's so pretty, looks like someone colored on it.

I reach the Rainbow trail (it's an extension with the best specimens of Petrified Wood) but before I get to the loop I decide to head back. It's no longer sunny, I'm tired and I feel like I'm in no man's land. So I retrace my steps to the main trail.

And you know, it was a good thing as the Main Trail has some impressive petrified rocks. And it started to drizzle.

After the hike, I head to the reservoir.

There is a group of Coots near the shore.

I then wander over to and onto the dock. It's super windy! 

Well that was well worth the stop!

On the way back to Hwy 6, I see a Tom Turkey in the middle of the road!!

Time to head back to Torrey.

On the climb back up the mountain, I see a single deer and farther up the road, I see 3 more. Those 3 look all fuzzy.

Also got snowed on in one section.

I close the day by stopping at the Torrey Visitor's Center to get a map of Capitol Reef (I forgot mine at home).

Then I drive to the Capitol Reef Visitor's Center to buy my National Park Pass; I ready for August!

I'm dead tired. It's time for a shower and dinner which ends up being Subway. I'm just not in the mood for more French Fries nor sitting in a restaurant.

Awesome day!

My plans were to hike Friday/Saturday and head home on Saturday. But when I woke up I just wasn't feeling it and drove home. Bad move on my part because on Saturday, I missed a step and broke my foot (actually heel) and will be out for 6 weeks plus the time to rehab and get back in shape. Oops!

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