Smokey Bear | Forest Fires



I watched multiple fires this summer, from a distance, and then closer; while I was camping in several different Forest Service Campgrounds.  After seeing the hard work and lots of tax dollars that go into fighting these fires, I started talking to people who agreed that Smokey is not as well publicized today as he has been in the past.  Other people agreed that they hadn't seen much of anything about him in years. 

However, he does have a new website,  https://www.smokeybear.com/, published just this year, from which I borrowed the above photo.  I have a feeling that after this summer, he will have more of a presence than he has in years past.   This year, I saw some photos of firefighters carrying out a cub from the fires, which is how Smokey Bear, and his message, got started decades ago.  I hope that the message will continue with more publicity. 

At one of the Forest Service campgrounds I stayed at, the camp hosts had these little bracelets labeled "Smokey's Friend", a good reminder to be careful!

  

  

She also had comic books about Smokey and fires, which had apparently been reprinted from years gone by. 

  

Although he still does not have the presence that he used to, I'm hoping that more people will become aware of the danger and destruction by forest fires. 

Remember - "Only YOU can prevent forest fires"

Devil's Canyon Campground | Wilson's Arch | Utah

 

On one of my morning hikes, I noticed a few deer in the distance and as I kept sneaking up on them, noticed this one just sitting calmly among the others.  I kept sneaking up on her, taking photos of her with my zoom lens, until I got this close.  Then she decided it was enough and got up to follow the rest.

 

I had been to this National Forest campground 3 years ago and really enjoyed it.  This is my spot this time, a little bit unlevel, but I made it work.  Recapture Reservoir is nearby, and looks like a great place to boondock, but by the time I saw it, I was all settled.  This area is Route 191, about halfway between Monticello and Blanding, Utah.

Mother Nature got a bit artistic with this tree root.

 

 

Some silly person decided this tree needed an occupant.

 

Even though the campground is at 7000', there are mountains in the distance.

 

Not too far away is Wilson's Arch, which I didn't get to climb last time I was in the neighborhood.  So a little exploring trip was in order, along with great scenery on the way.  This is Church Rock, right by the road and quite large.

 

Wilson's Arch.

 

I decided I needed to climb up to at least under the arch.  This is about halfway up and I decided the other side would be easier to climb.

 

It may not be easier to climb on this side either, but I finally made it.  The trail was quite steep. 

Did I mention I don't like heights?  Here I am, sitting on the rock, looking at how tiny those people and vehicles are.  It looks like I could slide down easily.  I will take me longer to get down safely than it did going up.  The next photo shows the view on the side.

 

Part way down, I turned around to see my progress.  I'm still not that far down, but it gives another perspective of the arch.

 

I was very relieved to get back on level land, congratulating myself that I made it down without incident.

 

 

 

Thompson Springs | Utah

Antelope!  They seem to wander around near the train tracks in this little community.  They were a little shy, but they did pose long enough for me to get this shot.

This hotel has seen it's best days, although when I was there taking this photo, two men were peeking in the windows at the mess inside.  They told me they were thinking of making it a little hotel again for tourists.  I hope they love lots of hard work!

Considering the age of this car, it doesn't look all that bad......    This was right outside the RV Park I stayed at. 

This one didn't fare so well......  But it's older!

Schoolhouse built in 1907, nicely refurbished.

There are multiple abandoned and derelict buildings here.

Spooky on an overcast day.

I have no idea if it's true, but someone said this is the café that was in the movie "Thelma and Louise".  Looks way more interesting inside than outside!

Other buildings are just shells.

I'm not really fond of the purple color here.......

One of the residents has yard that looks more like a mini-museum - he had everything back here.

 

Mountains look like they are melting into plains here.  

Rocks are multicolored here.  I think I remember someone telling me that the green rocks have copper in them.

A restaurant, show place was nearby, but unfortunately it was all closed up and looking abandoned.

The weather did this a few days while I was here, but only got a few sprinkles one day.

This is the third Boot Hill that I've seen.  I don't think this one has anyone really there. 

Red rock is everywhere near Moab, and it is stunning.