Wednesday, June 25, 2014

GPicSync

GPicSync is a free, open source software program that automatically inserts location from your gps track log into your digital photos metadata so they can also be used with any 'geocode aware' application like Picasa, Google Earth, Flickr, etc. This allows you to see where the photo was taken on a map. Here is an image that contains photos from a walk around the RV park (click on photo to enlarge)...

Monday, June 23, 2014

Today's Photos

Snow angel in June

Investment property

Gail's gold mine

Friday, June 20, 2014

50 Inch Trails

We rode our RZRs southeast of Marysvale to Paiute Trails 54, 53, 33. Although these trails are black (most difficult) on the map, they are really more like intermediate trails for experienced riders. I like them for their variety; if you don't like what you see now, just wait 15 minutes.

Happy campers

Magnificent aspen forests

Surprise of the day

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Moving On Up

Last year Terry and Gail moved to a cozy, one bedroom, no bath fixer-upper southwest of Marysvale. Well, they have been saving their money and this year they are moving to a more spacious, fancier abode...

Although still a one bedroom, it does come with an outdoor bath

Other photos of the day...

It's not easy being on the cutting edge of fashion

This rattlesnake made Terry's day

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Power Couple

Terry and Gail drove down from Alpine to ride the Paiute Trail with me. It was a little too windy and cool to be on the trails today so we took the truck up to Fish Lake where Terry had taken family vacations when he was a kid. Here is a photo of the dynamic duo taken in front of the lodge built in 1911...


This area is part of the Old Spanish Trail which was a trade route between Santa Fe, NM and Los Angeles, CA as early as the late 1500s. At one of the pull-offs, there are these metal silhouettes that represent the earlier explorers, trappers and traders...

Sunday, June 15, 2014

Critters

Our group decided to take a late afternoon ride up to Barney Lake to try our luck at fishing and to see some deer and elk on our way back. As we are heading up the mountain, Beth spots this sheep/goat on a narrow rock ledge...


At the lake I catch this trophy trout (someone call Guinness World Records)...


And on the way back the group in the lead vehicle saw six elk but they ran into the woods before the rest of us could catch a glimpse of them. However, we did see a whole bunch of deer including this group of eight...

Monday, June 09, 2014

Barney Lake

The mountains of southern Utah offer a pleasant change of scenery after Arizona and Moab. Snow capped peaks, white water streams and beautiful aspen and pine forests are a feast for the eyes. Today, we rode over to Monroe for lunch via Barney Lake...



Sunday, June 08, 2014

Custom Trailer

My neighbor designed this unique trailer to haul both his side-by-side and car behind his motorhome without triple towing...

He starts by loading the UTV

Which is winched up to the mezzanine level

And then the car is driven underneath

Rube Goldberg would have been proud.

Saturday, June 07, 2014

Paiute Trail #77

We were able to punch our way through the snow drifts at ~11,000 feet which allowed us to make the 77 loop...


And just in case an electromagnetic pulse wiped out our gps, we had our expert guide dog, Chevy, to make sure we did not get lost...

Thursday, June 05, 2014

South-Forty RV Park

I am back at the South-Forty RV Park in Marysvale, UT. In my opinion, this is the best location for exploring the Paiute Trail System as it is centrally located to all of the trails which you can ride to directly from the park.  And at $300/month plus electric, it is a great value. Click here to view posts of past adventures in the area.

Sunday, June 01, 2014

Heart of Sinbad Road

This 24 mile route runs north from Goblin Valley State Park to I-70 through the middle of the southern portion of the San Rafael Swell. It also provides access to a number of other scenic roads and ORV trails within the Southern Swell. In the case of off-road riding, I would suggest traveling with a group as I could count on one hand the number of vehicles I encountered during this two hour drive.

Well preserved pictographs dating back over a 1,000 years

Stone buildings constructed in the early 1900's during a radium mining boom

Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park is known for its unique, sandstone "goblin" rock formations. This is where the boy scout leader toppled one, posted the video on YouTube and then was prosecuted for it (click here for more info). The movies "Galaxy Quest" and "City Slickers 2" were filmed here.