Utah!

 We have had such an amazing drive! This is an area with a historical marker... Michael says these are just for white history. Indeed. We have been listening to an audio book about the pilgrims and how they massacred Pequot women and children in the 1600s and sold the survivors into slavery in the Indies--wonder where that historical marker is... This "massacre" was of two white men by Paiute and Ute and the area is referred to as Paiute Pass.

 We camped at a BLM rest stop and a furloughed rest stop cleaner showed us where "Moki Mother" was located in a large amphitheater of red clay down the road from us. We could feel the power of this place... the Hog Creek and sounds of the wind in the sycamore and even passing traffic noises seemed to be coming from the rocks themselves. This pictograph seems to dominate the entire area. She has a white "crown" of energy and strands of white that appear to give her authority in a yoke at her chest. I felt completely sure this is where I want whatever is left of my body after death to be buried in the silty soils below her. This is a place for eternity...

 We came to Glen Canyon the hard way, in the middle of this government shut down. Everywhere was blocked off but we did get good views of the Colorado River emerging below Cataract Canyon.

 Then we went to explore our take out (from our upcoming 10 day paddle down the San Juan River) at Clay Hills Crossing. It was a rough 12 miles in on a bad road and we had a hell of a dust storm last night but it was worth it to get a sense of the place. Michael processed the veggie oil again so we are pretty much back with that discipline.

Lastly, We came down the Moki Dugway that looks down over the Valley of the Gods-- a vast plain with incredible rock outcroppings, like Monument Valley, which we haven't seen yet. We are now in Mexican Hat.. our future stop on day 3 of the river... the only human habitation and alternative take- out...
It is a wonderful place on the edge of the Navajo Reservation. I had fry bread for dinner. I'm so grateful for all this vast beauty... around us, within us.