January 22, 2012

Limestone Bench

We shivered through a cold (10 F) night in our gooseneck trailer.  Actually, we were warm enough wearing jackets and covered with blankets and down sleeping bags. The first rays of sun rising over the San Rafael Swell began a slow warming. 
The horses spent the night in a sturdy corral, built by ranchers who have cattle leases on the BLM land.  The horses look happy, but Daisy seems a little guilty.   I wonder what she has been up to...
The drinking water left outside overnight was frozen solid.   Fortunately, we had another water container in the trailer that was slushy, but pourable. 
The horses drank from a stretch of the San Rafael River that flowed near our camp.  There was ice along the bank, and they weren't too sure about the getting close at first.  As you can see, Mischief has been rolling in the dirt again.
We decided to bag the rest of the trip and drive straight home.  However, the desert warms quickly, and it was 40 degrees before we reached the highway.  We couldn't pass up a ride on Limestone Bench.  All that open territory was just too inviting. 
We came across this old camp, complete with stone benches and a stove.  With that fired up, campers would have been comfy. 
Someone went to a lot of trouble to build a sundial in the middle of nowhere.  Boy scouts, maybe?
We had a nice ride across the bench, covering about 8 miles, just a taste of this vast territory.

24 comments:

  1. I just cannot imagine how cold that was but have a fairly good idea. I just don't understand how the horses can stand to be out in such cold like that over night.

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  2. More fabulous photos, Janie. Brrrrrr---must have been hard to get up--out of those blankets and sleeping bags... I have a hard enough time getting up from my bed on a cold morning... ha

    Love the 'bench'... I'm glad you could take a ride in that vast territory... Awesome.

    Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  3. Beautiful country. Interesting post.

    When I was in the Boy Scouts in Price, UT we had an annual campout at San Rafael Swell, somewhere, I have no idea where. I remember in the summer we roasted all day and froze all night.

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  4. That's some brave winter camping even in the trailer. Glad the warming sun sent you riding on the bench. The sundial is a work of art and labor.

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  5. I'm glad it warmed up enough for you to ride at least part of this beautiful territory. I find it hard to believe that Daisy would do something she wasn't supposed to, but I must admit she does look guilty in that picture.

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  6. Janie, you and Steve are brave hearts to endure the cold but you were rewarded with warmth enough for one last beautiful ride in the sunshine.
    :)

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  7. My hat is off to you and Steve, Janie! Those blue skies are simply gorgeous and that air must have been as pure as it gets.

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  8. Even for an Artic Minnesotan ten degrees seems a mit chilly to be out camping. But the scenic vistas...... oh my!

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  9. After that freezing night, how nice that the air warmed up to 40 so you could ride on the Limestone Bench. I love seeing those first rays of sun in the morning!

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  10. That country certainly does look inviting! Love the picture of the horses standing in the sundial.

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  11. Such an interesting ride you took us on today. Seeing such beautiful surroundings while on your beloved horses, and Daisy at your side. Must be heaven :)

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  12. I think 10°F would have convinced me to return home too. :)

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  13. You and Steve find the most unusual things in the wilderness, Janie! Looks mighty cold to be camping. (And I know how the wind blows there.)

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  14. Another incredible adventure. Very fun finding the sun dial. Did it work?

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  15. Brave and hearty you are! I think 10 degrees probably felt even colder than that, being out in the open desert. But it does afford crisp, clear photos. ;-)

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  16. Beautiful country, especially with that clear winter air. I don't know about the temps, though. This time of year I prefer motels to ruffing it!

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  17. that's how it goes around here. We're freezing or we're baking. I'm glad you got a good ride in before heading home.

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  18. Fantastic shots...love the morning light...also the sundial and the old campground ...what wonderful adventures you have.

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  19. Mischief is aptly named!!!
    I do hope you had some sort of heater in your camper/trailer?
    The views are just gorgeous....but my goodness: warmed to 40? You are killing me Janie! :)

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  20. That's great you are getting out with the horses during the winter! 10 degrees is pretty cold though.

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  21. Hi, Janie;
    Oh, I'm green with envy. San Rafael Swell is a favorite spot of mine. And, even though it was super cold, it looks like a wonderful ride.

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  22. Your adventure continues to roll on. Magnificent pics.How did the horses withstand the freezing temperatures ?

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  23. Beautiful Western vistas, as always. The old camp on the Limestone Bench looks like the kind of place I would love to pitch a tent for a few days!

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