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.