Picture a Day #291 – Apple Muffins for a Blustery Day

Posted on October 25, 2012 by joanienaz

When you are wrapped in your warmest fuzzies against the first cold storm of the season, it must be time for golden muffins fresh from the oven. What better way to celebrate apple season than with apple muffins? If you happen to have some home-made jam, even better! Here is my recipe for chasing away the chills:

Apple Muffins

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil 12 muffin cups (standard size).

Combine 2 cups unbleached flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 3/4 teaspoon cinnamon.

Add 1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar, 1/4 cup vegetable oil, and 2 eggs. Blend.

Stir in 2 cups grated apple, 1/2 cup chopped nuts of your choice (I used almonds this time), and 1/2 cup golden raisins.

Put the batter in the pans and bake for 25-30 minutes, until a fork inserted into the center of a muffin comes out dry, and the muffins are golden brown. Remove from pans and serve warm, or cool on wire rack and store in airtight container. Makes 12.

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Picture a Day #290 – A Shoe Tree

Posted on October 24, 2012 by joanienaz

One of the highlights of our recent road trip was this “shoe tree” just west of Hinckley, Utah, on Highway 50.

 It is quite a landmark. We passed it on our way east, and stopped to take a photo on the return trip.

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Picture a Day #289 – Pando, the Aspen Clone

Posted on October 23, 2012 by joanienaz

On the Fishlake National Forest in central Utah, there is an Aspen clone, an enormous stand of Aspen that is connected by a continuous root system.

Fish Lake

Each stem, or tree, is part of one organism that is over 100 acres in size. It was named “Pando” by scientists, which means “I spread.”

Pando

This Aspen clone is the largest documented organism in the world. But it is in danger of dying because the older trees are drought-stressed and under attack by insects. The young trees that would replace the older ones are being consumed by the local deer and elk.

Pando closeup

Efforts are underway to remedy the situation. There is a portion of the area that is fenced off to allow the young trees to grow.

There are also portions that are being cut to stimulate growth. We had the opportunity this past week to see for ourselves what this area is like.

Fish Lake, the site of this enormous Aspen clone, is only a short distance off of Highway 95, part of our route home to California after our adventures in Colorado. We chose this route not only to spend time in the red rock area of Utah, but also to see the Aspen.

the largest documented organism in the world

Although most had already lost their leaves by the time we reached them, it was still a stunning display.

I think the naked trees are beautiful, and there are so many! This area is close to 9,000 feet in elevation, so it will soon be covered in snow. That must be a truly majestic sight!

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Picture a Day #288 – In Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on October 22, 2012 by joanienaz

One of the highlights of our drive on Highway 95 through the red rock of Utah was Capitol Reef National Park. The views are stunning everywhere you look. This area is one amazing geology lesson!

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Picture a Day #287 – Before the Storm

Posted on October 21, 2012 by joanienaz

This little vireo (Hutton’s?) showed up in the yard today, as a storm was approaching. It wouldn’t sit still in this oak tree for more than a couple of seconds, and the light was bad, but I couldn’t resist!

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Picture a Day #286 – Highway 95 Adventure

Posted on October 21, 2012 by joanienaz

When we left southwestern Colorado two days ago to return home to northern California, we decided to take a different route. We had been through Moab, Utah on our way east, with a stop at Arches National Park.

 near Canyonlands National Park

This time we took Highway 95 through the red rock country south of Canyonlands National Park, crossed the  Colorado River near Lake Powell, and paused in Capitol Reef National Park.

closeup

The weather was perfect: it was mild and sunny. The scenery on this route is amazing. It is an easy drive, and with a little extra effort we made it all the way to Ely, Nevada, even after stopping on the Fishlake National Forest. Whew! Here are some highlights.

approaching the river near Hite Marina

Colorado River at Utah State Route 95

Next stop: Capitol Reef National Park!

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Picture a Day #285 – A Hike in Hovenweep

Posted on October 18, 2012 by joanienaz

Yesterday we visited Hovenweep National Monument, a group of ancient dwellings that is far off the beaten path. It is a small area near the four corners of Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico.

We visited one of the outliers, Cutthroat Castle, which is in Colorado, and the main site, which includes a campground and visitor center, in Utah.

Cutthroat Castle

The road to Cutthroat Castle is rough, and it is recommended that you enter the area in a four-wheel drive vehicle with high clearance. It is an easy hike to the ruin, but because of the isolated location and unpaved road, it is a completely different experience than the main area of ruins.

Cutthroat Castle detail

Both are beautiful and fascinating to investigate. Cutthroat Castle is also quiet, with views of the surrounding landscape. It is well worth the 45 minute drive from Cortez, Colorado to the outlier, and another 30 minutes to the visitor center, where you can hike the trail that loops through a canyon.

Hovenweep ruin

Although these dwellings are no longer inhabited by the ancient ones, there is still life here.

Lizard

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Picture a Day #284 – A Road Trip Through the Fall Colors

Posted on October 16, 2012 by joanienaz

Our trip to Colorado this week is a getaway to relax, visit family, and enjoy the fall foliage.

The colors have been fabulous scattered across four states. In the higher terrain, the aspen lost their leaves when cold weather and wind arrived earlier this month. But there are still plenty of bright hues to enjoy!

Today we celebrated the season on the San Juan National Forest in southwestern Colorado, where these photos were taken.

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Picture a Day #283 – A Morning in Arches National Park, Utah

Posted on October 16, 2012 by joanienaz

Yesterday morning we left Moab, Utah and drove north across the Colorado River into Arches National Park.

Balanced Rock

It isn’t a large park, and we were able to drive the length of the road, stopping at several viewpoints and even taking a short hike, in the course of the morning.

Delicate Arch

There were plenty of visitors, even on a Monday in October, but it wasn’t overcrowded. The weather was around 70 degrees F near the visitor center at the entrance, and cool and breezy when we reached Devil’s Garden.

Entrance to Devil’s Garden

The hike into Devil’s Garden, just past the campground at the north end of the park road, is easy to somewhat strenuous. There are several side trails.

Windows in Devil’s Garden

We went as far as Landscape Arch, a little over three miles round trip. There is a lot more to see, and fabulous views of the surrounding landscape.

Landscape Arch

We have visited this park in spring and fall, and I would love to see it in winter white!

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Picture a Day #282 – The Redrock of Moab, Utah

Posted on October 14, 2012 by joanienaz

I was going to write about Nevada in this post, and our amazing drive across the state on Highway 50, but I am jumping ahead to tell about today’s travels. After driving through the desert and farmland of western Utah, we climbed into the mountains and dropped down to the red rock canyon country that dominates the southern part of the state. It’s always exciting for me to see the mysterious rock formations of the southwestern US, particularly those of Utah. There are so many colors and textures and shapes, and they are constantly changed by rain, snow, wind, and water.

Our destination on this leg of our October road trip from California to Colorado was Moab, Utah. It is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts, intersected by the Colorado River and surrounded by Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. In the middle of fall it was a comfortable 70 degrees when we arrived in the late afternoon.

We walked up and down Main Street, which is also Highway 191, checking out the shops and deciding which of the many restaurants would serve us dinner. We chose pizza and salad.

We enjoyed this view of the La Salle Mountains east of town as the sun sank toward the western rock walls. Tomorrow morning, we will backtrack north a couple of miles to spend the morning in Arches National Park.

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