My Two Dads

Utah Jack, 70's Thin

Dangerous Doug, 70's Hair

Perhaps you think that Utah and Dangerous are just two hard-nosed outdoorsmen with killer instincts and empty bellies. They are, but I know them in a little different way. They were both my dads, way back before having two dads was "cool" or required amendments to state constitutions. Most weekends, the two of them would load up their combined 7 children into "Old Blue" with rations, bikes, and no changes of clothes for an adventure. We went to all kinds of places -- Graveyard Flat, the sand dunes, Zion National Park, and later, the cabin in Grover, to name only a few. It was rare that we kids weren't invited to go with our dads. They tried diligently to enforce a "No Whining and You Better Carry Your Own Crap" rule, but I'm sure that they got pretty used to the long drawn out call of "How much longer?" and I remember many times that one or the other of them threw one of the kids backpacks on top of their own for a spell.

Sand Dunes

Dead Horse Point

Maybe you are wondering if all the work you go through to get your kids on a camping trip is even worth it. I can tell you it is. My fondest childhood memories involve stinking to high heaven, walking long distances, and staring up at the dark night sky. They include sage advice and stern warnings from two men, one my dad the other a close second, who loved me dearly even though I'm sure they felt like pushing me into the Escalante on more than one occasion. They taught me that the outdoors is a dear friend to me. I hear myself repeating Dangerous and Utah when I run off at the mouth about Lake Powell being a blight on society, a fecal stew, and a ruination for the lost remains of civilizations below its putrid waters. I hope it's a legacy I pass on to my own children that there is beauty in all landscapes, that vacations need not include Disneyland, and that two dads can be a lot of fun. Even though anyone who has been to the cabin could tell that neither one of you was the "decorator" in the relationship.

Graveyard Flat

Becca is Utah's oldest daughter with a family of her own. You can find a link to her blog at the top of this page. Let's hear more from our guest bloggers!

What's on the menu? Not me; I hope!

Observations of Lamb Chop

Check the sheep camp fridge and you will find all kinds of stuff to eat. From their pictures, you can tell the Grover Boys travel on their stomachs. There is hamburger, bacon, chicken, salami, roast beef, and an occasional steak. The only cut of meat you won't find is lamb. Since I joined this merry group of back country travelers, lamb is no longer a menu choice.

Not Me Please!

Even Dangerous' best buddy Rosie worries a bit about ending up on the grill. Take a close look at Utah Jack's eyes. You can easily tell that he isn't a man to trifle with at meal time. You can also tell that he doesn't miss many meals. Even Rosie tries to endear herself to the cook. The sheep camp has three separate stoves, and Utah Jack knows how to use them. I rather doubt that Rosie's act of submission will help if Utah is hungry enough which he almost always is. Anyone could end up on the grill!

A Carnivore Digesting

Talk about tempting fate. Can you believe a cow joined us for dinner on Labarge Creek? You might think I am brave traveling with three constantly hungry carnivores, but Number 47 is about the bravest cow I ever met. While camped at the headwaters of the Grey River, Number 47 wandered into camp and joined us for dinner. She is lucky that she didn't become dinner. The smell of sizzling hamburger didn't seem to bother her one bit. You never know. She might have smelled a close relative sizzling on the grill and wanted to check it out. With her around, I didn't have to worry about my constantly hungry companions turning their attention to me. As you can tell, once a lazy carnivore fills his belly he turns his attention to digestion. For awhile Number 47 was safe, but was tempting fate standing that close to the grill.

Snack Anyone?

It isn't just Dangerous and Utah that I have to keep an eye on. As you know, Rosie is a sheep dog with very eclectic tastes. She prefers anything hot off the grill, but doesn't limit herself to prepackaged WalMart meats. When pressed, she will take her protein anywhere she can find it. Her choices include bees, flies, and other bugs snapped fresh form the air. Even though we are friends, I have to keep a close eye on her.

Bear Bait

I can't even take a short walk to stretch my legs without worrying about becoming some one's dinner. The largest and most feared Wind River carnivore dropped this fresh pile of manure not 50 feet from the sheep camp. Dangerous really wants a bear picture, and these fresh steamy droppings tell me he just missed his chance. I am a bit afraid that he might be using me for bait. It's enough to worry about becoming dinner for my traveling companions, but now I have to fear becoming a snack for a local predator.

Happy Family

Actually, I shouldn't complain that much. It's in their best interest to treat me well. Rosie needs a sheep to herd occasionally, and Dangerous needs the government to believe that his sheep camp is a legitimate tax deduction. Without me, Rosie has no purpose in life, and Dangerous could face serious problems with the IRS.

Love to hear from you!

Green River Lakes

What a View!

After 800 miles in the back of the truck, I am glad to be home. I am ready to resume my fence patrol duties. While I got to see new and interesting country, bouncing around in the back of the truck wore me out. Our last day was probably the toughest on me. Utah Jack found a 30 mile shortcut across the Uinta Mountains that took four hours to negotiate. If we had a video of that 30 mile ride, Timberline Range Camps could use it as a marketing tool. Without the video, no one would believe we pulled a 16' sheep camp over those roads.

I collected so much material and Dangerous took so many pictures I am not sure where to start and what to share with you. Rather than boring you with a travelogue, I thought I would pick out a few highlights to share. To start, I thought you might like to see some pictures Dangerous took at Green River Lakes. These pictures record our seven mile hike around the lakes. After you see them, I think you will understand why we made the trip.

A River Starts

Those familiar with the West know that the headwaters of the Green River originate in Wyoming's Wind River Range. Numerous mountain streams drain into two beautiful lakes located 50 miles north of Pinedale, Wyoming. The two lakes are easily accessible with a seven mile hiking trail circling them. Anyone with a pair of hiking shoes and a few hours to spend can experience beautiful views of Square Top Mountain in the background. Some twenty-five years ago, these views brought Dangerous, Utah, and their sons to the Winds to backpack and fish. Green River Lakes continues to be one of the most popular and highly used entrances into the Bridger Wilderness. Dangerous wished for a few minutes that he had Dottie and Little Guy with us as we watched a pack string exit the wilderness during our hike.

Upper Green River Lake

Wind River Pack String

It's hard to imagine that the beautiful trout stream that you can throw a rock across becomes the high desert river that eventually dumps into the Colorado River in Canyon Lands National Park. The raging torrent that John Wesley Powell followed to the Colorado comes to life as a shallow, mountain stream that fly fishermen regularly wade and float. In 1869, Powell lost a boat at Disaster Falls on the Green. Not far from its headwaters the Green was a barrier to pioneers traveling west. They got in line at Lombard Ferry and paid $3.00 for each wagon and $0.25 per head of stock ferried across. If the line was long rates soared to $16 for a team and wagon. The travelers willingly paid the going rate as they pursued free land and religious freedom. In fact, Dangerous' great-great grandfather crossed the Green at Lombard Ferry in 1848 on his way to Utah.

The Green Comes to Life

Lombard Ferry

In my next blog, I plan to introduce a new member of the High Plateau bunch. What are a sheep dog and a sheep camp without a sheep? Lamb Chop joined our merry group when Dangerous bought our sheep camp. Lamb Chop will become my first guest blogger. I plan to extend an invitation to others who ride, hike, or read my blog to offer a fresh perspective or share their experiences traveling the West or riding the High Plateau. I hope I can encourage some of you to write and entry or two. Let me know if you are interested. If I don't hear from you, I will contact you directly!

Lamb Chop, Dangerous, and Me

High Plateau Monsoon

Stormy Weather

You won't find me sitting on the porch watching the rain come down if there is thunder in the air. Look for me behind Dangerous' chair where I wait out the storm. Most of the time I am a brave sheep dog, but not during the High Plateau monsoon season.

Waiting out the Storm

When we are on the mountain, the only place I have to hide is between Dangerous' legs, and you can tell from my expression that I smell ozone. Thunder doesn't seem to bother Dangerous like it does me. I hear him counting the seconds between thunder claps trying to estimate the distance of the lightning. Years of trail experience has taught him that the back of a horse is not the place to be during a thunder storm. With the first clap of thunder, Dangerous, Utah, and Fremont are looking for a low spot below the rim to shelter us. Even I know to avoid the tall Ponderosa Pines and Douglas Firs that show the ill effects of lightning strikes with burns from crowns to roots.

LG Unconcerned

One member of our group never seems bothered by the weather. LG just puts his head down and starts eating. He doesn't mind getting wet as long as he can fill his belly. He figures we have just stopped for lunch ignoring rain, thunder, and lightning. LG is always hungry, but by the look of him, I think you can tell he hasn't missed many meals. I guess you can say the same thing about Utah Jack.

Hunkered Down

If you can't ride, you can always eat. Fremont Bob Found a comfortable spot in the rocks to wait for someone to pass him a sandwich. Fremont wasn't the only one with lunch on his mind. The buck in the picture was trying to catch a quick bite when we disturbed him. Between us and the storm, he hurried off to find a quieter lunch spot.

Moving On

High Plateau thunder storms pass quickly. Before you know it, the sun is out, the birds are singing, and everything smells fresh and clean. Cinches are soon tightened and we head down the trail. Love to hear from you!

Labor Day Picnic

YOU’RE INVITED!

The “Grover Boyz” First Annual End O’ Summer/Opening Fall Social

Who: YOU! Big or small – Short or tall. Y’ALL COME!

What: Picnic and Hootenanny. Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Carn-on-the Cob, Watermelon, and Pop all provided.

When: Saturday, September 5, 2009 – 4:00 PM ‘till Dark.

Where: U.S.F.S Wildcat Guard Station on Boulder Mountain. Drive 10 miles south of Grover on SR 12.

Why: Because we like you!

B.Y.O.B: Bring your own banjo or other musical instruments and maybe a folding chair or two.

If you go out in the woods today, You’d better not go alone.

It’s lovely out in the woods today, But safer to stay at home.

For every bear that ever there was will gather there for certain, because today’s the day the “Grover Boyz” have their picnic

PLEASE RSVP DOUG:

801-362-4874, or

dew_west@utwire.net

We wish to thank our participating sponsors including the Grover Squat and Gobble, the Parasite Ranch, S & M Toorz, Crippled Horse Consulting and Outfitting, Lil’ Buddy Budget Burials, the Happy Chicken Egg Ranch, Backyard Bronze, and Rosie’s Blog (Ride the High Plateau, redrockrosie.blogspot.com).