The Long Way Home

On Monday, I took off for Grand Junction to run some errands, but, primarily, I needed to get to the AT&T store to pick up my new phone. It's a Motorola G Stylus, and GJ was the only place within 500 miles carrying that phone. Sure, they could ship it, but I wanted someone to hold my hand through the process, another human to deal with the technical stuff.

I'm also facing a small existential crisis with getting this new phone. That's because after almost 25 years, I'm getting a new phone number. Saying goodbye to 314-xxx-xxxx is like moving out of a home. I've had that number since about 1997! That was the number my children memorized and the number associated with all my shoppers cards and verifications.

So....to deal with this mini-crisis, I took the long way back from Grand Junction, following the River Road through the canyon by night and car camping at Onion Creek. Waking early the next day, I decided to stop at Arches since it was very early, and crowds would be low.

The sun would soon be up, so I took "the road less traveled." All the other early birds headed straight on the main park drive, so I took a right and ended up at Garden of Eden for a pre-dawn hike. Just before sunrise, I made it to this cool double-arch.

Just after sunrise, I headed south, through Moab and Blanding, so I could get on the 95 through Hanksville.

I came across a kiva at Bears Ears and some ruins next to the kiva.

Near Fry Canyon, I saw "Jacob's Chair."

Then, it was on through Hanksville, Cap Reef, and on to Escalante.

Living so remote from everything...AT&T, Walmart, McDonald's, etc....makes me understand how Pa Ingalls must have felt going to Mankato to get calico for Caroline and other homesteading supplies.

If you are reading this, please make sure you get my new number!