Don’t know the Hoodoo that you do! (Day 3)

We hit the Garden Trail and Navajo loop fairly early in the AM and had ourselves a great walk through the hoodoos.  This place is SWEEEEET!  I can’t really put it into words how fascinating these geological wonders are.  If you get a chance to visit, I would give it my full endorsement!  I left my banana peel there by accident, but Bill Jean told me that’s OK because a banana tree will grow there. 

 It's like being on another planet

 Sun rays peaking through a slot canyon

Queen's Garden Trail that led through the Navajo Loop

 

The next day we spent the next day driving to Capital Reef National Park.  The drive had a little bit of everything: valleys, gorges, farmland, trees, rivers, etc.  Most of the time, we have been driving at five to ten thousand feet. 

There was quite a bit of cattle along the way, including this lady trying to cross the road.

 

We stayed at Fruita Campground in Capital Reef.  It was a nice spot along the Fremont River (more like a stream this time of year) and a beautiful orchard.  As soon as we arrived, we sought a dip and the stream did just the trick. 

 Bath time

Delicious!

 

When we walked back to camp, we cut through the orchard and feasted on apricots. I pretty sure that Mike ate at least ten.

 

Fun fact:  They call it Capital Reef because there is a huge slick rock dome that looks like the US Capital from where the explorers were dispatched.  The Reef comes from the idea that the dome blocked the explorers’ passage.