Day 3 Deer Springs Ranch

(Warning: long post ahead. Mostly pics though)

The morning of day 3 at the ranch dawned dark and snowy. Yes, snow. Though by this time, we were all a little "cabin feverish" and wanting to get out and do some exploring. We decided to drive to the BLM Paria Field Office and see about a walk-in permit for the following day. We needed to be at the office no later than 9am, so we bundled up and drove out of the Ranch via Johnson Road. I must say, I prefer driving on snowy roads to dirt roads. Quieter, and cleaner. The ground was still frozen. Our drive down Johnson Road toward Kanab was beautiful. I'd never seen the canyon country in a snowstorm. Loved it. The kids loved the cattle round up we followed down the road for a bit...until we could find a way to pass all them hides. So much for the clean car.

Below: driving toward Johnson Road...in the snow...

Below: a break in the storm letting the sunrise peek through to rest on the Pinks.

Below: driving down Johnson Road...

As we reached the end of Johnson Road and turned east, toward Lake Powell, the storm picked up and we found ourselves driving through a total blizzard. We got "stuck" behind a slow-moving semi and arrived 10 minutes too late to get a permit. Bummer. However, the rangers were warning everyone about the road conditions to the Wave. Apparently, the roads are made up of a lot of clay, and when wet, slipperier than snot on a brass doorknob...so to speak. A kind ranger lady pulled out some maps and showed us some closer hikes that were very kid-friendly...so we decided to go have some adventures...in spite of, or because of the weather.

Below: blizzard on the way to the BLM office...

Our first exploration was that of "Whitehouse Wash", down the same road as Whitehouse Campground near the field office. It was truly spectacular, a little bit like The Wave, but mostly gray. We all loved it! The snow had stopped and we were bundled up, and had so much fun exploring the cracks, crevices and tunnels. Definately a hike to do again.

Below: hiking up the wash...

Below: Into the tunnel, we go!

ooooooo......curvy....and swirly....

below: see those happy faces?!

below: loving the yellow.

below: our swirly tunnel of stone, from the other side

check out those rock textures. so cool.

below: ant hill...awesome!

Next on the agenda was "The Toadstools" (and I don't mean frog poop), which my brother JT, said to absolutey do. He was so right. It was incredible! On our hike in, we were walking along a "dry" wash, the soil mostly a dark red. Then around a corner, came some slow moving gray-green water. A flashflood! Wildkid was so excited, I've seen "squirrels with less twitch". We watched in fascination as the greenish water covered the red mud, then we all stepped over it and kept hiking. We followed it all the way to where we saw the first giant toadstool. The kids could not suppress the urge to try and "summit" the dang thing. I just took pictures. Again, the perfect playground for kids of all ages.

below: hiking in to another planet...

wildkid, watching the "flash"flood

more "flooding"...

Below: first giant toadstool. Are we on Mars?

Below: remember, there was a snowstorm about an hour before this hike. the hills are steaming as the sun dries them...

below: oh, aren't they the cutest toadstools ever?

below: um...mud tapestry?

And, one more outing before heading back to the cabin. Off to what is known as "Whiterock". It turned out to be mostly a drive, I don't think we got out of the suv, the kids were tired...I can't imagine why. The drive is actually open to horses. I would love to ride around this area!

below: it looks like sunset, but it was 2 in the afternoon...

On our way back to the cabin we stopped in Kanab at Denny's Wigwam and got Stargirl some homemade fudge to stick a candle in for her birthday the next day. (it didn't make it past dinner). Meanwhile back at the ranch, and after yet another snowstorm, we arrived to find fresh, hot sweet rolls on our kitchen table. Thank you, Nancy! We also arrived in time to help with the evening chores of milking the goats! Yeeha! Though it had been 20 years since I had milked a goat, apparently its like riding a bicycle. I milked the first goat, and then Stargirl wanted to give it a try. She figured it out and thought it was pretty cool, but Wildkid would have nothing to do with it. Even Wildman tried for a minute to see if it was any different than milking cows. It's not. But we learned he is terribly allergic to goats, just like he is deer and cows.

below: the snow on the way back to the ranch...

Below: some good friends of ours, from down the road and in our ward, own property at the ranch. We stopped so Wildman could show us their place. The kids loved playing on their "labyrinth".

...and their fire pit...

below: Stargirl, milking the goat!

below: make a wish, birthday girl!

Before bedtime, Wildman read to the kids from the book The BFG. Ah....another good day...