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Friday, April 10, 2015

See Beautiful: View from the Top of the World

Today is See Beautiful Friday, and I'm going to show you some more "beautiful" from our desert trip. Before I visited the desert for the first time, I had no idea what a glorious place it is. I visualized dusty and hot, and I didn't visualize the amazing rock sculptures, the tough little flowers, and the starry skies.

Our last stop on our desert trip was K's Rock. It's such an idyllic campsite - isolated, beautiful, and peaceful. We camp almost in the shadow of the towering reddish rock structure. When we arrived, I could see the half moon rising over the rock.
I love just hanging out at this campsite, watching nature. A pair of bluish birds were building a nest in an alcove on the side of the rock, and we watched them work diligently on it in the cool morning hours. Lizards sunned themselves on the apron of the rock.
I could've just soaked up the ambiance of the campsite all day long but there are also really fun mountain bike rides nearby.

Shyla and I did one together. It's a huge climb up more than 2000' to a lookout that never ceases to astound me. It's a popular route but we managed to get up early and do the whole thing without seeing another person! So, we had the summit, with the views, all to ourselves.

I love seeing the distant snowy mountains behind the intricate red rock desert floor that sat thousands of feet below us.
Looking to the west, you can see the continuation of the cliff we were standing on in the far right of the photo, and you can see the red rock towers down below it.
I shared this ride with K a number of times, and I loved sharing it with Shyla on this trip. In places far from home, I really need Shyla to be reliable off-leash while we mountain bike. I felt that she'd reached the level of training that she needs on this trip. I wasn't stressed out about her behavior because she naturally stayed very close to me, without constant supervision (or she might say "nagging"). I was so happy to be able to trust her without worrying as much as on past trips.
We're in that "sweet spot" in Shyla's life when she has endless energy and also has rock solid training. This is a wonderful part of a dog's life. I know, based on past dogs' lives, that this phase is fleeting. I slowed down and gave thanks for this amazing dog who is bringing me so much happiness.

After our big climb and enjoying the lookout point, we headed back down to camp for an afternoon of lazing around. Everywhere I looked as we rode, I saw amazing sights, like this red rock cliff weathered by eons of wind.
When we arrived back at camp, I noticed that a few small flowers were blooming. One, in particular, caught my eye. I love the purple against the red rock.
No doubt, as my friend Mary said in a comment, I am a "desert rat"! I love the desert, and I always yearn to go back after a trip ends.  I keep visualizing K's Rock in my mind's eye and looking forward to being there again.
I hope it won't be too long until we laze around in that campsite again!


21 comments:

  1. It is beautiful indeed. And so good to hear how much you enjoyed it with sweet Shyla. No doubt there will be many more incredible trips in your future.
    Blessings,
    Goose

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  2. We just love that you share so much beauty with us!

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  3. really beautiful. love the lizard!

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  4. KB, I must admit that I am not a desert person, but I do long to see some of Utah's grand canyons-Zion is one of several. However, you always make me appreciate the desert. Girl, I'm riding almost every day and lucky if I do two miles(so different that three years ago, I admire your stamina so much. Of course, I do know that you've been riding for years and are quite a bit younger, even with your injuries and problems. So keep on! Shyla is one well trained dog. I'm so happy that you take each day as it comes and that you share life with us!
    Hugs, Noreen

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  5. The deep blue sky against the red sock is stunning. Yes, these are special years in our young adult dog lives.

    Your Pals,

    Murphy & Stanley

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  6. Shyla is such a good girl. I love those little purple flowers! They are so neat!

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  7. Great photos. I have had so many people ask me if the sky really is that blue in the desert. Yes, yes it is.
    I told Al the other day we need to head south, soon, very soon.

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  8. I love the desert and your photos always capture the space, the feeling of freedom and the peacefulness that I find there :-)

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  9. Simply amazing. I have never been to the desert but your photos make me feel like I am right there with you. Happy weekend.

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  10. Beautiful <3 One reason o n our recent road trip we decided to take the scenic route to Colorado. Happy Seeing Beauty. Golden Woofs

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  11. You make me feel guilty. I live so close and I spend so little time in our desert. Your pictures are so beautiful and I love to hear about K. When I think of the desert, I think of her, but now I think of Shyla too.

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  12. Its wonderful that you and Shyla share a love for the desert. But I am curious, what do R and the Runner do for fun?

    Hugs all around,

    Jo, Stella and Zkhat

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  13. Wow! Your pictures are just amazing --- I'm so glad you have the chance to go there.

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  14. There is so much beauty and thank you for sharing it.


    Anne and Sasha

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  15. Such fabulous photos, KB! What a fun and beautiful adventure! We especially love that photo of you, Shyla. You are such a wonderful girl♥

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  16. it sometimes makes me speechless how beautiful our world can be... many thanks for your photos
    easy rider

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  17. It is always extra-special to be the only human in a landscape, isn't it? I'm glad you and Shyla often have the opportunity to share that :)

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  18. Great photos! I've never been to desert but sure would love to see one. Thanks for sharing especially now when we are still dealing with huge amounts of snow.

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  19. The blue of the sky is my very favourite colour.

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  20. We came back to spend more time looking at the photos.
    Oh how we love what you share,,, and we are thankful for you showing us,
    love
    tweedles

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  21. Gosh, you make me long for the red rock. You got some great shots again this trip, and I, too, love the morning light on Shyla.

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