Day 11: Kodachrome Moments

Not a lot of riding today.  Probably no more than 22 miles total.  However, happenings are not measured by distance traveled, aparently.

Last year, when I passed through this area, and actually, on many occasions before, I had been curious about this park called the Kodachrome Basin.  So, this year I built a rest day in Cannonville, in order to ride the 9 miles to be park and enjoy some hiking, resting, and take some time to meditate.  I even allowed myself to sleep in a bit, and got up at 7:30.

As I checked into the visitor center at the park, and see what they recommended in terms of hiking, I ended up meeting a fellow adventure riders, who owns a BMW 2004 1150GS Adventure.  He recommended the Shakepeare Arch trail, and said it would be nothing to ride it on the BeMWu.  According to him, there was some loose gravel but nothing serious, since car traffic has the road pretty much compacted.

Following his advice, I took the right hand turn into the road to the arch.  In less than one tenth of a mile things went from easy-piecey to more than a handful.  All across the road were golf sized pebles, which made the rear wheel spin out, and had the bike fish tailing like a shark outta water.  Three times in a crazy sequence that had me criss-crossing the road I thought I would buy a piece of the farm, only to be saved by a fist-full of throttle which must have come from God’s hand, because I am sure it was not my JadeRider instincts that saved the day.  But taking note, I rode back to the pavement at very slow speed, with my legs spread out like a kid learning how to ride a bicycle.  Even that was less than smart, since having my legs hanging on the sides only left my hand to activate the front brake, and everybody knows, when in dirt-use the REAR brake.  Still, after surviving this adventure, I stopped the bike on the side of the gravel road, and planted another flag for the captives.  It was really worth it.

Lesson learned?  Do not trust park ranger assessments on the viability of roads when it comes to motorcycles..

With the main Xtreme event for the day behind me, I found my way to one of the two hiking trails I planned for the day.  I quickly found the head to the Panorama Trail.  I was looking for something here that is especially relevant to me because of Sandra, but you will have to wait to find out what, since I want to surprise her with the picture.  As I walked around a ton of birds just flew around and chirped, while my feet lifted clouds of fine red sand from the sandstone formations in this area.  I spent most of the morning on this trail, also finding a cave, which I think is what they call the Cool Cave.  On the way, worn out in the sandstone are what appear to be dozens of hand prints, or reliefs.

After returning to the parking lot, I rode up to a small park shop for a quick bite, and then onward to Angels Palace Trail, which is described as a photographers dream.

This trail goes on bottom edge of a smooth sandstone canyon carved out by a series of creeks, and then ascends into a number of observation flats the not only offer a series of wonderful vistas of the Bryce area, but of the Escalante complex, which Kodachrome is part of.  Part of the beauty of this place is that it offers views of a variety of rock formations and types, including greenish micah formations, and some rock groups that reminded me of Goblin Valley, all in one.

While sitting at the mountain top, with strong winds blowing sand all over the place, I sat for a good while to think, and pray.  While many of these are private, I will share that I really struggled with God’s directive of loving our neighbors as we love our selves.  The part that was hard for me to dissect was the first part of the directive, which implies that we love ourselves.  The real meaning of this, and how to actually do it seems harder the more I think about it.  I often think of loving myself in terms of allowing myself to purchase something, or to treat myself to something to eat.  This is something I also do for others I love, but it seems like God’s directive goes beyond that.  The only answer I could find is that I must start by thinking of myself as one of God’s irreplaceable children, being treasured by him, and therefore, I need to take extreme care, and show deep respect for myself.  Once I can achieve that, then I have a model right in front of me on how I must treat others.  If I can achieve that, there is no place for slavery, and the fruits of slavery in my world.  For that matter, there is no room for injustice in that world.

I spent about 2 hours at the top of the Angels Palace trail, and feel it was one of the most productive times I have spent in a while.  Just like Snow Canyon, this small state park is a jewel, which goes under appreciated, especially with all the commercial development surrounding Bryce Canyon.  This was really a day full of Kodak moments.  The question is, how many of our kids even know what Kodachrome is?

Now I am sitting in my cabin, writing while I listen to Mozart’s Requiem, getting ready for tomorrow’s ride, which will put me in Durango, Colorado.  The Lacrimosa section coming through my earphones sends a loud call for the freedom of the captives.