September 17, 2009

Air Quality

hazeIn the first week of September, we rode twice in Mill Hollow. The trailhead begins about 20 miles south of Duchesne, Utah in Indian Canyon.  On our first ride, the air was still smoky from a fire in a nearby canyon. (When no structures are endangered, the Forest Service does not attempt to extinguish fires begun by natural causes.)
cloudsoverridgeWith thunderclouds gathering and visibility poor, we didn’t go farther than the first ridge.ind canyonview On our second ride, the fire was either burned out or blowing its smoke somewhere else.  The sky was blue and almost all of the haze had vanished. 
companyontrail We ran up on another rider who joined us on the trail, an unusual but welcome occurrence.  (He turned out to be a neighbor to our neighbor’s brother.  It’s a small people world in eastern Utah’s Uinta Basin.)

 We rode to the first ridge, around the side of a mountain, and along another ridge to beautiful viewpoints.   (In the enlarged photo, you can see a ribbon of trail stretching to the farthest ridge.)  Though our people world is small, our Utah land and sky is enormous.
swftom To view skies from all over the world, click here.

33 comments:

  1. So true that it's a big and small world at the same time, mostly with a good frame of mind. Here you ride into this vast landscape and meet a neighbor. As always your images capture the multiple sizes.

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  2. What a difference between the smoky day and the blue sky day ... these photos were taken on different days, right? Love the blue sky landscapes!

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  3. Once the smoke blew off what heavenly blue skies! They are magnificent!

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  4. Beautiful as always. Everytime I open your blog I want to get in my car and get away from it alL!

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  5. Lol.. that is funny that you knew the same people. Ahh. Good old small town life. :) Pretty pictures!

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  6. It is enormous, and it never fails to astound me that everyone you meet on a mountain is at once your friend--even if it turns out you've never met them.

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  7. Hi Janie, I hope the fires are OUT... I always hate to hear about hundreds of acres of land burning---although I know that when it happens naturally, it may be good....????

    Your photos are great --especially the ones showing all of that beautiful Utah land and that beautiful blue sky. We've had RAIN here all week--so I miss those blue skies.

    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  8. Wonderful scenery...I remember well my visit to Utah on a gemstone mining expedition...such big beautiful country.

    Bob aka Eaglesbrother

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  9. As usual, beautiful. I just love trails. That one looks like it take a while.

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  10. The second picture captivates me!

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  11. Your Utah land and sky is beautiful...I love the shot of the two riders...and the ribbon trail in the last shot...

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  12. How easily it goes from one extreme to the other! Terrific shots! I really love the last three! I hope Daisy had fun!

    Have a great weekend!

    Sylvia

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  13. I so enjoy riding the trails with you ... such beautiful country. TY
    TTFN~ Marydon

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  14. "...land and sky enormous..." as it should be. Beautiful skywatch pics, as always!

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  15. Fantastic views! Love the mountains.
    Nice post.
    Happy weekend.

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  16. I hope the fire was too bad and fit into the natural cycle of the forest growth. Have a nice weekend.

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  17. Hi Janie

    you really are on top of the world way up there...

    a lovely ride today thanks

    Happy days

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  18. Nice story and photos! It sure is a big and small world. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. Sure is a BIG landscape and sky compared to anything I am used to in Scotland. We COULD travel from the very noth of Scotland to the south coast of England in a day--mind you, it would be a fairly long day.

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  20. Its amazing just how far you can see in your wonderful part of the country, Janie.
    Thanks for the peaceful views, have a delightful weekend...

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  21. Smokey haze seems toobad,but blue sky is wonderful!Dasey and horses are very tough to contenue trailng with you!!

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  22. glad you made it back again - although I like the second photo, it looks quite mysterious and moody.

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  23. WOW!!Very nice all these photos!!

    kisses,

    Irina

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  24. Janie: I love the blue skies in your second ride.

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  25. The views on your second visit are absolutely fantastic. I really enjoy going on your rides through your pictures, but I hope to see some of that sky and those mountains in person.

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  26. I've always thought I'd love to visit Utah & now even more so. Great photo's!

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  27. How beautiful! I really would love to see it myself someday.

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  28. Wow! So beautiful. Glad the skies cleared up for you.

    I read this week that the road to the Angel Arch might re-open! I'm sure that will cause mixed feelings for hikers and horseback riders, but it may be the only way we could get to it. I've wanted to go there since your blog post!

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  29. Fire is always a scary thing and the smoke DOES inhibit the view. I hope this fire is out and am glad you were able to enjoy your ride. Lovely views ;--)
    Hugs and blessings,

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  30. Your land and sky certainly are enormous! I love the colours of your last two shots - beautiful blue sky and straw coloured hills.
    Janice.

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