Dinosaur National Monument

We've spent two nights here, and the desert is getting me down.  It's been close to 100 everyday, which is no good for me.  Yesterday we spent much of our time in the shade, but today we explored the monument and it's desert eco system.  Holy cucumbers is it hot out here.  Bill took the kids to splash around the Green River over at Split Mountain, but I just wanted some time alone.  So I'm under our shelter (thank you Bill for insisting we get this!!!), trying to convince the chipmunks to just leave me alone! I like seeing the wildlife, but these darn chipmunks are fearless.  

The shuttle to the quarry at Dinosaur National Monument.  It actually did get more full before it headed out, but we were amused that we had it all to ourselves for a couple minutes.  The ride to the top only lasts a couple minutes, but it sure was sweet to feel the breeze!        

The Camarasaurus.  The most intact sauropod found.          

I was amused because behind G is a cast of bones.  They're fragile, not for touching.  The dino bones on the wall opposite this display are for touching.  But I think it's wicked cool (that's my '80s Maine talk coming out) that they let everyone touch the dinosaur bones!             Josie Bassett Morris

This is Josie Bassett Morris' house.  She built it.  She lived in it for almost 50 years.  She kicked butt.  Seriously, she was an amazing woman.  She raised livestock, grew her food, hosted outlaws, took care of a bunch of land and all that goes with that.  So awesome.  But looking back, historically speaking, why learn about her?  What makes her special?  Cuz I sure as shootin' never learned about her when I was in school.  The thing is, stories like hers are important to let us know we can do it.  To remind us that life is tough, but we're built for it, we can take it on and win.  So do I need to remember her name?  No.  But I will.    

Box Canyon.  Which is, indeed, a box canyon.  This is one of two box canyons where Josie would keep her livestock.  The other box canyon is called Hog Canyon.  It was a longer hike, though, and the heat is really getting to me.

Camping in July

Turns out, I'm not so excited to tent camp in July in Utah.  I love Dinosaur National Monument, don't get me wrong.  But my body absolutely hates the thought of 100+ degree days.   Bill found a misting fan that I pooh-poohed at first, but it's beginning to sound like something I would really want.  On our walk last night, Bill was checking out the weather for our various campsites on his phone.  This week the first few ones are all hitting the 90s to the 100s.  Blech.  At least we'll be near water at all of them.  Bill's big plan for Dinosaur is to go to the visitor's center and just hang out.  I also want to go to the box canyon and check out the homestead again.

I also found a fish hatchery in the area that would be cool to visit.  We have a wildlife refuge around here that we like to visit.  It's home to a bison herd and also has black footed ferrets.  The Ouray National Wildlife Refuge is home to waterfowl, and it also hosts the fish hatchery.  I think we'll have a great time exploring places outside the park, seeing what else is in the area.