Rare Petroglyph Panel- Echo Canyon

October 17, 2013 Near Echo Canyon, Utah -- I jumped at the opportunity to go on a field trip with the local USAS chapter (Utah Statewide Archaeological Society) to a panel which probably hasn't been seen by anyone other than the landowner in 30+ years.

 Finding rock art in Northern Utah isn't as of course as common as Southern Utah so to find such an impressive panel is pretty special.  The site on private land in a remote canyon adjacent to Echo Canyon was spectacular and unique.

Just south of what was a certainly occupied overhang was an impressive panel depicting a huge buffalo, deer, shield and people.

Down the canyon we found an overhang that certainly was inhabited because we found a broken metate, buffalo bones and painted ceilings.

As always it's important to remember that one should only take pictures, be judicious in revealing locations, and always try to leave no trace.  History is always beneath our feet but we have a obligation to protect our past. 

Mr. Brooks, Peoa Utah

September 22, 2013 Peoa Cemetary, Utah -- In a small little cemetery in a small town called Peoa a mysterious grave has been a favorite stop of mine sense I was a scout.

I remember hearing the legend of the grave of one of men who murdered the Prophet Joseph Smith and his brother Hyrum Smith.  As the tale was told to me, Mr. Brook's participated in the killings of the Lords came to Utah and was plagued, burned, hated and abused the rest of his life.  Even in death his grave was tormented as a huge bolder mysteriously  appeared which has never been removed.

If nothing else it's an interesting story in small town Utah. For more on Mr. Brooks click here.

Provo River Falls, Utah

September 22, 2013, Kamas, Utah -- After exploring the Fairy Forest it we continued our Sunday afternoon drive up to the Provo River Falls.

The waterfalls are highly scenic, quite impressive and easily accessible.  When we were there a couple of other families and teenagers were enjoying the last of the good days before Fall really sets in.

Just off Highway 150, the falls are at mile marker 23.  After the falls it was time to head home, the fall colors were just starting to emerge and it was a beautiful autumn day.

Enchanted Fairy Forest

September 22, 2013, Kamas, Utah -- About a year ago I learned of a secret enchanted forest, a fairy forest if you will.  A place of imagination and well... rocks.

Seriously, along the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, off mile marker 17, and through a forest path- the magical and enchanting Fairy Forest waits to be discovered and explored.

We made it a Sunday family outing and the kids had a riot.  There is so much to explore and see.  Pathways of rocks lead to fun little shrines and characters. Thanks to scouts, families, girls camps and hobbits this is a great place in the mountains for kids young and old.

Going on a Bear Hunt...

September 7^th, 2013 Wayne County, Utah -- I went on a bear hunt, a bear hunt.  The dogs treed a big one. I wasn't afraid- not me.

I have a cousin who raises hunting dogs for hunting mountain lions/bears and I've been dying to go out with him because the whole life is so foreign to me.  On the tail of our EPIC trip through central Utah I finally got my chance.

We woke up at 4:30 and drove to meet the hunter and his family in Torrey, Utah and soon we were on the Boulder Mountain range overlooking Capitol Reef National Monument.

The dogs started barking excitedly as soon as we hit the mountain because they could tell there were bears everywhere!

After about an hour we had two sets of bears being chased. We followed one set that had treed a mother bear and her cubs.  After watching those beautiful animals for about 30 minutes we left them to follow the hunter who had harvested a monster of a bear 5 miles away.

Now I’m not advocating hunting either way. I've wanted to experience a dog hunt for quite some time and I must admit it was amazing to see the dogs in action and my cousin who knows the very sounds of each of his dogs and loves them each individually. Then there is the fact that monster bears are out there in places that we frequent and camp and most of the time as outdoor enthusiast we are none the wiser.

What an awesome experience and adventure!

Parowan Gap Petroglyphs

September 6th, 2013, Parowan, Utah -- I never get tired of this place.  Just west of Parowan is "God's Own House" according to Chief Wakara, the famous Paiute leader.  The Parowan Gap is the home to an incredible collection of petroglyphs with speculated solar and lunar connections and calendaring.

Looking west out of the gap.

Mystery Glyph?

Early settler.

Skull and crossbone, could this mark a settlers grave?

Inside one of the caves in the area.