Hi friends.  I'm getting ready to take off early, early tomorrow morning.  "Pre-trip" is an odd emotional time.  It's an exciting time usually tinged with some sadness about missing my wife and family.  I also start to anticipate the first day's drive which means dealing with Southern California traffic until I get "out there".  The older I get the more I abhor traffic and the lack of scenery in SoCal. As I leave I can't seem to put it behind me fast enough.  In addition,  my mind gets cramped with details.  Did I pack everything?  Food? Personal items?  Do I have what I need?  Am I ready? 

Tomorrow I'll take the good old Interstate 15 through seedy, gaudy, tawdry, Las Vegas and then head toward Zion on my way to Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park.   I'm interested in the state park and anxious to explore it.  I hear it's a place a lot of the land maulers, aka Quad riders, visit.  The noise, partying,  and general attitude of those people aren't usually my cup of tea.  We'll see.  My hunch is that it will be more than fine.

 It's a long drive (442 miles) but not as long as Tuesday when I drive to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison (476 miles).  When I arrive there and get a camping spot my trip will settle down into a more relaxed mode.  I work at slowing down constantly the first few days of any trip.  Once that calm kicks in the trips can start to become tranquil and magical.  After rushing around for 35 years slowing down is a daily challenge.  I'll explore the new National Park at the Gunnison River and then head for fishing and hiking grounds near Silver Jack Reservoir, the Rio Grande and, eventually, the Arkansas River.

I will try to write from the road but that may not be possible given the typical lack of cell reception in the more remote and mountainous areas.  I purchased a small digital tape recorder to perhaps more easily take notes.  I also got a monocular for the camera and it will be interesting to see how that works.  The playlist is ready- lots of Bob Dylan, Calexico, Neil Young, Gourds, Jon Dee Graham, Beck, Drive-By Truckers and Alejandro Escovedo.   I'll be reading "Go In Beauty" by William Eastlake and bring lots of Edward Abbey & Terry Tempest Williams to supplement.  I'm also bringing the classic, "Land of Little Rain" by Mary Austin.  

May you all slow down and enjoy the simple things while I'm "on the road".

Peace.

My next trip starts on Monday, September 8.  I will be spending some time in Colorado.  My father grew up there albeit in one of the most desolate spots in the state, La Junta.  La junta means the meeting or meeting place in spanish and, sure enough, that's where several railroads meet (or met- passenger trains ain't what they used to be).  My father used to speak about the wind and the snowdrifts and the unbearable summer heat.  He also talked about his father being an excellent outdoorsman.  I never met my grandfather.  He died in 1948 at age 48 due to acute alcoholism.  I wish we'd known each other.  I have sensed in my lifetime that some of my genetic predilections are directly linked to him and his appetites.  

The stories that my Dad told me about the outdoors often revolved around the southwestern part of the state in the San Juan mountains. Places like Creede and Pagosa Springs were mentioned.  This is an area I'd promised myself that I  would spend time in before I died.  I plan on fishing, camping, hiking and exploring.  

The mountains are at their peak in September in the West.  The crowds and kids are gone.  September is my favorite month of the year anyway.  Even when I was working in the schools I loved it.  The parents and kids were well behaved and everyone still had hope for a successful school year.  While this made school and my job better than say, in March, I still always longed to be outside.  I remember, even as a child, thinking that I was missing some important things going on in the outdoors in September.  Now, at long last, I get to spend some time in the Rockies in September.  

Do you know the song from "The Fantasticks"? 

Try to remember the kind of September
When life was slow and oh, so mellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When grass was green and grain was yellow.
Try to remember the kind of September
When you were a tender and callow fellow.
Try to remember, and if you remember,
Then follow.

I am going to "follow".  



Here's the tentative itinerary:

 September 8 Monday - Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, UT 

September 9 Tuesday- Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, CO  

September 10 Wednesday - Same

September 11 Thursday- Silver Jack CG - (Southeast of Montrose)

September 12 Friday - Same

September 13  Saturday Bridge Campground (Northwest of Pagosa Springs).  

September 14 Sunday Bassam Guard Station (Northwest of Salida)

September 15 Monday -Same

September 16 Tuesday Holbrook, AZ

September 17 Wednesday Home

My trips are generally set up as "tentative".  If I find a place I like, and it doesn't require reservations, I'll stay and stay.  I have found, however, that being literally "on the road" is what I enjoy most.  It's the discovery that I like.  Of course, many of the best places are found in exactly that way.

I'm cutting this trip a bit short as I am required home to prepare for a baby shower of epic proportions.  This should be a good "taster" of the area.  I've always loved Durango and I'll be sure and spend some time there (if nothing else than to pick up a fishing license and grab a bite to eat).

The drive home requires one motel night in Holbrook. AZ which is a fine western town.  When I get home I'll have a bit of time to prepare for my October Utah Red Rocks trip that promises to be spectacular.  After that I'll be laying low waiting for my first grandchildren to be born. The twins are coming in November which means December and January will be perfect for celebrating their birth in Organ Pipe, Cabeza Prieta and other desert wonders in southern Arizona.

One last note, I've been communicating on Twitter with the excellent film director and cinematographer Eric Temple. He claims we are "brothers from another mother" and I agree.  His films are all great and I own "Edward Abbey: A Voice in the Wilderness" which is truly excellent.  If you can find it- buy it.  If you can't buy it then see it any way possible.  It's fantastic and features some other great Southwest artists and authors including the great Charles Bowden who just passed away.  Charles' death is a huge loss for us desert and justice lovers.  Eric did mention to me that for his next film subject he's considering either Maynard Dixon (my favorite Southwest artist) or my inspiration Everett Ruess.  See?  He is, indeed, a "brother from another mother"!

I'll keep you posted from the road.

Peace.