Capitol Reef Thursday Blog Jeffrey Pannekoek
Thursday 29 October 2009
Capitol Reef. I did not quite know what to expect; I had heard a lot about both the park itself as well as the field station that we were going to stay at. From what I had heard, the place was simply fantastic. I was not sure whether it would live up to this. The drive there was scenic and beautiful. We drove through small towns and stretches of uninhabited nature. The stark contrast of the snow covering the other wise desert landscape never seizes to wow me. It took us a good couple of hours to drive up, including an hour and a half lunch stop at one of the small town diners, where we were received with questionable looks at the sight of us, out-of-towners. Time, however, seemed to pas quickly with good company and the anticipation of what was to come.
Upon arrival we were informed by field station manager Hau of the low-footprint approach the field station had to its presence and the presence of its visitors. It is an amazing philosophy and the low impact of the station and its affiliates is a testament to today’s conservationalistic approach to the national parks.
After the briefing we took a short hike, discussing some of the means by which the impact on the environment can be kept to a minimum. We walked passed pictographs and petroglyphs, remnants of those who were here before the very first pioneers, before the settlers, and far before we were here. It was amazing to imagine that where we stood, Freemonts had stood centuries ago, painting and pecking away at the rock, leaving their marks and, whether purposefully or not, a tale for us to interpret.
It is great to have this opportunity to be out here, close to nature and history. Even though today has been a relatively short day, it has been great. I am excited to find out what tomorrow will bring. Capitol Reef undoubtedly lives up to its reputation.
Jeffrey Pannekoek
Capitol Reef. I did not quite know what to expect; I had heard a lot about both the park itself as well as the field station that we were going to stay at. From what I had heard, the place was simply fantastic. I was not sure whether it would live up to this. The drive there was scenic and beautiful. We drove through small towns and stretches of uninhabited nature. The stark contrast of the snow covering the other wise desert landscape never seizes to wow me. It took us a good couple of hours to drive up, including an hour and a half lunch stop at one of the small town diners, where we were received with questionable looks at the sight of us, out-of-towners. Time, however, seemed to pas quickly with good company and the anticipation of what was to come.
Upon arrival we were informed by field station manager Hau of the low-footprint approach the field station had to its presence and the presence of its visitors. It is an amazing philosophy and the low impact of the station and its affiliates is a testament to today’s conservationalistic approach to the national parks.
After the briefing we took a short hike, discussing some of the means by which the impact on the environment can be kept to a minimum. We walked passed pictographs and petroglyphs, remnants of those who were here before the very first pioneers, before the settlers, and far before we were here. It was amazing to imagine that where we stood, Freemonts had stood centuries ago, painting and pecking away at the rock, leaving their marks and, whether purposefully or not, a tale for us to interpret.
It is great to have this opportunity to be out here, close to nature and history. Even though today has been a relatively short day, it has been great. I am excited to find out what tomorrow will bring. Capitol Reef undoubtedly lives up to its reputation.
Jeffrey Pannekoek
posted by Pancakes at 9:08 PM
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