I left the Canyonlands campsite at around 9:00am. Next destination was the Capitol Reef National Park. It took nearly 3 hours to get to the park. All along the way, I enjoyed the view of the Utah's exceptional scenery.

This time, I decided to stay at The Best Western Inn, right outside of the park. The hotel had a great view of a red canyon. I almost wondered why this part was not included in the national park. Anyway, I took out all of the electric and computer equipment. I downloaded the photos from last 2 days. There were more than 130 photos taken. Now, I can start taking a lot of photos again. When I got to the Visitor Center, it was already 3:30pm. I asked about a good slot canyon. He recommended me of Burro canyon. OK, let's go.

Burro Canyon (4 miles RT): was fun. However, I could not find out how to cross the first NARROWS, where canyon really really becomes narrow. It was just about my shoulder to shoulder. A big rock was blocking the way. I could not find how to climb around it. The guide suggested taking a detour. But I could not find it. Anyway, it was very interesting 2 miles of hike (one way). A lot of wild flowers as well.

Capitol Reef National Park was filled with wildflowers. A dead tree stands atop a Yellow flowers field.

Narrow and strange shaped canyons at Burro Canyon hike, my first hike in a slot canyon.

I took some photos near Orientation Pullout near the eastern park entrance; also at Behunin Cabin. There were a lot of wild flowers, thanks to abandant of water.

Fruita Histric District: Saw Petroplyphs in the Fruita Histric District. This district is filled with green. I was also amazed with lovely sound of streams and insects (suzumushi?). Those are something never exist in neither of the previous national parks.

Goosenecks Overlook: hmm, OK, not bad, not inspiring.

Sunset point overview: pretty nice sunset at 8:30pm. The sun was too low; the very hill I was at block the sunlight. Not bad. But somehow it was not as inspiring as the ones I saw in Arches or Canyonland NP.

I spend next hour in the visitor center shopping. It is always fun. Went back to the hotel to eat breakfast. Just like Nevada, I ordered Steak and Eggs dish. Pretty good. Last night, I had some stewed beef for dinner and it was good. This restaurant looks really cheap and modern but they must have a pretty good chef. Also great service too.

Dixie National Forest, Utah

One of my friend was very impressed with the Utah 12. I also heard that the highway may be the most scenic highway in the continental USA. Although I have not seen all of the US, the scenery was great. In particular, the section of just outside of the Great Staircase Escalante NM (between Boulder and Grover) was my favorite. The highway wind through the Dixie National Forest with strands of Aspen. On the southern side, there was the view of Circle Cliffs as well as the Capitol Reef. In the visitor center of the Dixie NF, I met an old couple who manages the center. They were very happy when they found out I was from Japan. "I was in Japan around 1956. And we got married there..." He said they traveld all over the Japan, and had great time despite they speak little Japanese. He managed communicating in inns who speak no English. It is a nice surprise to talk about my home country in the middle of ... Utah's forest, isn't it? I promised to come back here again. I hope I can make the promise.

After the town of Boulder, the forest turns to a rock canyon. This is the GSCE-NM area. They are not as spectacular as the NP counter part but I can understand why we should preserve this land. The road steeply descends into a canyon on a ridge; I always feel fear of height when I drive a road like this... but nice looking canyon.

Lower Calf Creek Hike: I hiked the Calf Creek Canyon trail with a couple (young this time) from Denver. Oh it was so fun. They were very nice and fun to chat. We talked a lot about Japan. They were very curious about Japan since Denver is not so diverse; hence not much exposure to other culture like Japan; oh by the way is Denver a mid-west or not??? Other interesting topics about Mormons, religions, etc. I guess we talked so much, we found ourselves strapped in a side canyon. And we all agreed that we did not want to trace back where we came from. We did a little excursion to get to the main trail. Oh, by the way, the Calf Fall is very beautiful. The fall was like in a big cup of rocks, like a theater stage. Also the creek is filled with green and wild flowers. It did rain a little bit. I felt a few drops, then a strong, warm, and moist wind. A flash flood? Maybe not. After all we saw no signs of increasing water levels. Too bad, flash flood could have been an exciting scene although it could be the last thing I would see in my life.