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.

 

 

 

Maggie's Kids | San Carlos | Mexico

 

Maggie Arechiga is a Mexican woman who runs a shelter/orphanage called Agua y Mas Orphanage in Guaymas, Mexico.  Maggie is hoping to obtain an abandoned school building in San Carlos, which needs to be renovated, so she can move part of the orphanage/shelter to San Carlos from Guaymas.  Some preliminary work has been done to the grounds, but quite a bit of work still needs to be done, especially to the interior.  This will have to wait until she gets her final approval papers.  With 45 children at the present time, there is always loads of work as well as items necessary to clothe and feed everyone, as well as provide a safe place and utilities.

 

Maggie's Kids is the name of a Facebook page that provides information on what the local people have been doing to help Maggie with support for the past few years.  There are many people who travel from the States to San Carlos each winter and bring necessary items to help Maggie provide care for the children.  Maggie gets the kids out to have fun, and twice a year, with the help of San Carlos residents, they plan a camping trip to the local beaches. 

 

  

Allison Poutiatine and I met up in Utah and decided to visit a thrift shop in Monticello after our lunch in that town last week. We were looking for tents and other camping equipment for the next camp outing. After lunch, we wandered into Mimi's Thrift Emporium on the main street in town and saw a decent sized tent hanging from the ceiling and decided we needed to buy that for the kids.  While I was wandering around looking for other items, Allison started talking to Mimi and the other women about the orphanage and what the kids need. 

 

While I was wandering around, Mimi told Allison that she could donate clothing and a few other things.  They had already started taking clothes off the racks and putting them in the rolling suitcases we had also picked out.  When Mimi and her helpers filled those suitcases, they started filling large trash bags with all sizes of clothing and shoes.  Allison and I were both shocked at the amount of clothes that were being donated.  Mimi also donated a couple of rolling suitcases that were just a little less than perfect!

 

 

This is only one pile of hangers they cleared off!

More hangers have been emptied and stashed in bags for us!  There were multiple empty racks by the time they were done!

Mimi and her crew behind the counter - what generous people!  Allison on the left and me on the right in front of the counter.

This is the pile we ended up with, and some things may have already been taken to the truck!  Mimi told us she could do this twice a year, if we had someone who could transport items down to Mexico.  With social media, maybe we can find people willing to help Maggie's Kids!  Many thanks to Mimi and her helpers for the amazing generosity and willingness to help these children!

Maggie has set up a U. S. and Canadian account for the orphanage for donations, which would be tax deductible. Anyone interested in donating can contact.....  http://www.aguaymas.org/