July 2009 – Ex Cop Tales

July 11th, 2009
This is just a day ride through Zion and on towards Kanab and Best Friends Animal Sanctuary.
Weather: Nearly perfect all day until I returned through Zion. Once on the West side of the tunnel I was hit by a wave of desert heat. Temps reached nearly 100 degrees. Ride early and higher elevations.
After leaving Zion, via the East entrance station, I continued on towards Kanab. There wasn’t much traffic.
The rest of this report will be about my destination, Best Friends pet cemetery.
Best Friends Animal Sanctuary is located North of Kanab. They are a sancuary of last resort for many animals. I think they house several hundred dogs. They also care for cats, horses, birds and reptiles.
If you watch “Dogtown” on NatGeo it is about this place. They are the ones that took possession of Michael Vick’s fighting dogs and trained them for adoption. They have placed many of the dogs already.
Here is a link to their website. www.bestfriends.org
If you are looking for a way to enrichen your life move to Kanab and donate all of your time to this fine cause. You’ll be happy…
I only visited the pet cemetery. There are hundreds of pets buried here. Many with headstones and personal keepsakes. I was touched by the emotion of the place.
Caution, lumps in the throat are possible from here on out.
Painted rocks
There are also hundreds of windchimes thought out the cemetery. When they ring in unison an eerie sound fills the canyon.
I sat in the shade of a gazebo and thought about the pets of my past.
Each gazebo had a water jug and bowl for visiting animals. Being an animal myself, and having run out of water, I had some. Not sick so far.
After a couple of hours I headed back towards Zion. I stopped at the Thunderbird for a shake (that they don’t make anymore). You can still get the “Ho Made” pies though.
I made it home in time for dinner. I gave my dogs an extra scratch behind the ears.

July 7th, 2009

I took a couple of days and traveled from Saint George to Great Basin National Park.

CONDITIONS AND INFORMATION: Great Basin is located in a very remote part of Nevada. Don’t pass up fuel or rest stops. I stopped in Pioche for lunch on the way there. Fuel and food is available in Baker.

DIRT ROADS: There are several interesting dirt roads that are south of the park. When leaving Baker I traveled many of these going from Baker towards Atlanta and then on to re-join Hwy 93. This section was over 70 miles to improved dirt roads with few hazards. All recently graded but remote. In the 70 miles I encountered exactly zero other vehicles. Be prepared.

CAMPING: Over the fourth of July many campsites were occupied. I spoke to a Ranger and learned that on July 4th and Pioneer Days (July 24) the campgrounds can get crowded. Other than those dates the park is generally one of the least visited.

ELEVATION SICKNESS: Wheeler Peak campground is above 10,000 feet. Be aware of the effects of the onset of elevation sickness (severe headache and nausea). If you are a flatlander there are two lower campgrounds at the 7,000 foot level. As I returned from a hike to the Bristlecone grove I encountered a 20 something preparing for a hike. She was puking her guts out and had not even left the parking lot.

HIKES: I recommend the Bristlecone grove trail. Three mile round trip with only about 600 feet elevation gain.

As I was setting up camp a neighbor came by for a visit.

Preparing dinner, boiling water and freeze dried beef stew, Yummy.

After dinner, time to relax and “Be”.

It was nearly a full moon so I didn’t get any star field photographs. It is said that the night sky viewing from Great Basin is some of the best to be found anywhere. The temps were perfect on the mountain (50’s at night, 80’s by day). If you get a chance visit Great Basin… :clap

Month: July 2009

Zion and Best Friends animal sanctuary

Great Basin National Park