Escalante, Utah - The Town

We were blessed to have secured a job in Escalante, Utah before Covid 19 hit.  We work 12 hours each a week in exchange for a Full Hook Up site.  It is a small town of 750 people, situated between Bryce Canyon and Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.  We signed up for May and June and arrived April 26th.

They have 2 FHU sites behind the Bed and Breakfast

Across the road is a tour company

The Gas station is kitty corner from us

and Nemos Hamburger and Ice Cream stand is next to it.  Unfortunately it closed  the day before we got there and never re-opened due to Covid 19

House across the way.  There were many brick houses in town but most were falling into disrepair

Visitor's Center - never opened

Grocery store on right and row of shops on left that looked closed long before Covid 19 came along.

This guy startled me coming out the grocery store at 7:30 a.m. as it doesn't open until 10.  He only had a gallon of milk so I figured it wasn't grand larceny

The only shop open in town.  It opened a month after we arrived.

The Holiday weekend was busy.  The Playhouse remained closed but was due to open 7/4 for an all you can eat buffet and Bingo.

On our morning walks we turned down the road by the Town offices

to the Playground

and Town Park

Further down Main Street was a Natural Grocer

and a bakery that served Sandwiches and Salads, but they were open sporadically and we never go to try them

Sometimes People ride their horses around town.

For all the Trump signs around town, whoever controls the blackboard is not a fan.

The resident Alpacas always liked seeing Tucson they would get very vocal.

Escalante, UT - Hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls

Only 5 days left here.  Where did 2 months go?  The hike to Lower Calf Creek Falls is one of the Iconic and most popular hikes in Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument and close to the Town of Escalante.  We have yet to do it.  Decide today is the day as tomorrow starts the weekend and it will be crowded.  We were going to hike early in the morning Friday but after reading some reviews we decide to head out later this afternoon as there is more shade and less people.

We must be crazy as it's 95 degrees, but the temps are just getting higher this week.

It's the usual beautiful drive there

 

We get to our turn off

There were 2 parking spots left in the main trailhead parking area.  It is still a short hike to the trailhead itself.

This is where I discover my camera battery has died in spite of having charged it before leaving.  I took the liberty of getting photos off the internet.

The trailhead

The trail is red sand

Red Rock steps

 and  lots of red rock formations

There are some sunny spots

but quite a few shady spots as well

There are a few spots where Tucson can take a dip in the creek

The hike is through a canyon

The canyon walls are beautiful

and if you look close enough . . .

there are even pictographs

We missed this Granary

As we get closer to the Falls the hike goes through reeds, scrub oak and horsetail.  Much cooler through here

and after just over 2 hours we make it to the Falls

We were told that the water was freezing.  I took off my shoes and waded in and thought it was just right.  A couple young girls touched a foot in and screamed and ran out.  Guess they're not from the Northeast.

Tucson loved it and after swimming and jumping in the water, entertained everyone by running around the water in circles at high speed.  It was pure joy - so sorry I couldn't record it. 

Made it home just before 10 and had celebratory Root Beer Floats

Escalante, UT - Drive back from Hole in the Rock

It was a 4 hour drive to Hole in the Rock so the same going back, but the nice thing about one way drives and hikes is that the scenery is always different and the return  trip goes by faster.

Hasn't gotten any straighter

The road is marked with these wagon train posts.  It was tough enough in a 4WD on a road that has been "improved" since the Mormons did it. 

Join us for part of the ride

Tucson's not liking the bumps

Looks like rain ahead and this road becomes impassable in rain,

I thought maybe the route number 1862 represented the year of the Hole in the Rock expedition but the first wagons down the hole was in 1879

When a right hand turn takes you to the road on the left.

again the curve in the road where the accident occurred

Back by Dance Hall Rock

We passed up Chimney Rock on our way in so we do a quick detour

We start down the dirt road and it starts to rain

We see the Chimney in the distance

Really want to get off these dirt roads before they turn into slick sludge, so zoom in for a shot and back on the road

Poor Tucson, all the bumps have wedged him behind his bed. 

Looks resigned to the fact.

and we make it back to pavement just as the rain gets going

A quick stop at the Hole in the Rock visitor's center.  Stopped there right after we arrived over 2 months ago but after seeing the Hole in the Rock up close - wanted to check it out again.

The wagons were pretty narrow

Back when Men were Men and Women just did what they had to.

No problem - I got this!

No CEO's back then - they weren't afraid of work.