CALLING IT HOME

Annette and Shug strolling at waters edge

Rugged rock walls covered in pinyon pine, Utah juniper, and big sagebrush  cradle the deep blue water of Eagle Valley Reservoir, the main attraction in Spring Valley State Park. This  park offers a beautiful setting for camping, hiking, biking and kayaking and we take full advantage.

Bobbing with birds

After our morning hike with Shug, Annette and I throw the kayaks in the truck and head to the water. As we paddle along, little pods of birds float and bob on the water with us. Before long, we realize we're paddling in a bird extravaganza. The late-morning sun illuminates brilliant reds and blues, satiny blacks and whites -- colors so vivid  they don't seem real. A six-pack of eared-grebes paddle past us wearing rusty orange and yellow plummage like Mardi Gras masks around intensely red eyes. We spot the baby blue bills of the ruddy duck, unmistakable even from a good distance across the water. They scoot their ruddy brown bodies over to a grassy edge, their stiff, spikey tail feathers raised above the water. We focus our binoculars on a flash of white chest to our left and see a northern shoveler. His green head plows the water with his spatula-shaped bill searching for food.

Ruddy Duck

As we paddle further towards the north end of the reservoir, we notice the distinctive black and white markings of the ring-necked​ ducks floating in the distance, holding their black heads high while peering through bright yellow eyes. But wait, what's​ that splash of red in the mix? Looks like a redhead duck making his presence known. We know we're seeing something spectacular and we're glad to be floating​ beside these beauties.

Just cruising

We ditch the kayaks, eat lunch, jump on our mountain bikes, and follow the dirt road north of the reservoir to explore several stone cabins built by Morman settlers in the 19th century. We take in the beauty of these old buildings and admire the  craftmanship involved. Settlers cut blocks from the pinkish-white volcanic tuff from the surrounding cliffs to build their cabins. A root cellar, dug underground and against the cliff wall is tucked away behind the cabin. We peek in at old dusty shelves, tools, and jars through the doorway imagining lives lived 150 years ago.

Stone cabin

Root cellar

Valley overlook

Besides kayaking and biking, we also explore the area on foot. We stroll along the dirt road which cuts through the valley floor and offers great views of volcanic tuff walls rising up and  outlining the lush green meadows. A  meandering stream, dotted with geese, parts the meadow and winds its way emptying into the Reservoir.

Beautiful meadow

Our final morning, we hike the Ranch Camp Trail starting at the stone cabin and finishing at the Ranch Campground for two and a half miles of beauty. The trail leads us over the pinkish-white volcanic cliffs and down through green meadows. A pair of geese flying overhead honk their sharp clear call and it echos through the canyon as they disappear from view.

Volcanic tuff ridges wear their erosion well.

As we approach the end of our four day stint and ready ourselves to move on, we reminisce about our time spent in this beautiful park. How lucky are we to be so close to the natural world and all who live here. The beautiful sights, the fresh air, the clarity of sound, and the excitement of being connected to the wildness of ourselves and our world......and calling it home.

Shug lovin'

Shug, on the other hand, gives this park a 3 paw rating due to the MILLIONS of goat head stickers covering the ground at our camp site!! Wait. Did I say millions? Shug says billions.

#enjoyandvotetoprotectourpubliclands #getoutside

Sweet camp spot

Walk on down a country road

Ain't no valley low enough