ECHO echo echo echo CANYON STATE PARK

Lakefront property

Echo Canyon State Park, state park #5 on our zigzag through Nevada lies just a few miles east of Highway 93, near Pioche, NV. We  roll into the campground, pick a spot, and begin our approach for backing into a campsite. Old, wooden fence posts outline each campsite, which makes backing all the more difficult. It's a tight fit, but doable. The edge of our step-ladder strapped to the back threatens to clip a post so we take the ladder off and place it out of harms way. Besides the width, one has to consider several variables when backing into a campsite--overhanging trees, fire pits, shade structures all have to mesh with trailer doors and slides.

After a few attempts we are in, but we can't open the slide because the fence posts are too close and the toy hauler door opens into the fire pit. We decide to move to another site and as we pull forward Biggie Moms' rear-end brushes one of the decorative fence posts. Annette gets out of the truck, opens the storage compartment, and reappears holding a saw. Before I could say anything the saw is halfway through the post, I then take a turn and finish the job--the post still stands just not quite as tall. As we're pulling out, the ranger arrives just as I drop the saw onto the ground and points us to a better site. We park, set up, and then walk back to retrieve the saw and the ladder left behind at the other campsite. Does dropping some money into the firewood donation box make up for our blunder?

Ash Canyon hike

The next morning, we head out early to hike the Ash Canyon Trail. Starting out from the north edge of the campground, the trail climbs to a ridge, and then descends through Ash Canyon, a narrow canyon lush with the spring green of bushes and trees. Handrails bolted into the steep canyon walls guide hikers along the steepest parts as the trail drops to the bottom of the canyon.We enjoy canyon hikes and this trail is a fun one, requiring some scrambling and a bit of ledge walking atop the vertical canyon walls.

 As we head back to camp, we see American avocets wading along the bank of the reservoir, their cinnamon heads darting in and out of the water. A bonus spotting of a large group of white-faced ibis with their breeding feathers shimmering green and pink in the early morning light brings our hike to a rewarding end.

Ash canyon

After the hike, the weather turns windy and cool so we opt out of kayaking and biking. A quick check of the weather forecast predicts five days of bad weather ahead and we decide to spend just one more night at Echo Canyon before  heading to Pioche to wait out the cold front in a place that has WiFi and a coffee shop. Months of wind has turned us into weather wimps.

Shug gives this campground a 3.5 paw rating due to the fence posts surrounding the campsites (she hates drama).

What happened to that post?

Annette and Shug listening to their echo

Indian paintbrush

Ash Canyon hike

#ENJOYANDVOTETOPROTECTOURPUBLICLANDS

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

CATHEDRAL GORGE STATE PARK, NV

Annette and Shug Eagle point lookout

Cathedral Gorge State Park, once home to the Fremont and Southern Paiutes, became one of Nevada's first four state parks in 1935.

Volcanoes, earthquakes, and water erosion created a landscape of spires and canyons in the buff-colored cliffs. Today, erosion continues to sculpt the tufa rock creating new canyon crevices and towers.

Home

Surrounded by these beautiful formations, the small campground sits in the middle of the gorge amongst covered picnic tables and trees that make a shady retreat. Although the campground is small, we find several large pull-through sites to choose from. #1 at the edge of the campground looks good and we park and start our set-up routine. Meanwhile, Shug stares out across the sage brush focusing on the big blacktail jack rabbits bounding about.

Annette in the ant farm

After a quick 20-minute set-up, with Shug napping in the trailer, Annette and I head out to explore the slot canyons and caves cut deep into the tufa cliffs. The narrow maze of crevices make us feel like ants scurrying through tunnels in one of those ant farms from our childhood. We squeeze through narrow crevices that open into larger chambers, grooved top to bottom by the dripping mud. Looking at the ribbon of sky high above our heads keeps us from getting claustrophobic. On our way back to camp we pass an old stone water tower and ristra-covered picnic area built by the Civilian Conservation Corps back in the 30's. Those CCC guys did beautiful work.

Annette and Shug Juniper Loop Trail

While at Cathedral Gorge, we check out all the trails--a canyon hike to Miller Point lookouts, a fun mountain bike ridgeline trail with views stretching across the green fields of Panaca's agricultural area, and a walking loop around the canyon floor to see all the rock formations. When we need fresh food Annette and I jump on our road bikes and catch the three mile bike path at the visitor center through the small town of Panaca and stop at the little market to load our bike bags with groceries before heading back to camp. It's so much fun to be able to resupply via bicycle. We both agree that the world needs more bike paths.

Cool formations

We spent sweet time in this little park. Shug gives it a 3 paw rating due to the leash rule keeping her from chasing the blacktail jack rabbits.

Water tower built by the CCC

Exploring the cathedral caves

Playing

Big cave

Kristy and Shug

#enjoyandvotetoprotectourpubliclands #getoutside

KERSHAW-RYAN STATE PARK, NV

Annette and Shug/Loop Hike

Kershaw-Ryan State Park sits in a narrow canyon several miles south of the small town of Caliente, NV. Situated below colorful cliff walls, the campground offers twenty spacious, gravel sites. Up canyon, 1\2 mile past the campground, the road dead ends at a day use area that offers covered picnic tables, a wading pond, a playground, lush lawns with beautiful gardens, and several hiking trails. Wild grapevines climb the cliff walls while oaks, elms,  and cottonwood trees provide a shady cover.

Kristy and Shug/canyon hike

We spend a few pleasant days hiking the trails and washes within the canyon, soaking in the spring green trees popping with color against the backdrop of the tawny canyon walls. A quick bike ride from camp along a back road leads us past a ranch with baby hogs rooting and playing in their pen, and fields shared by horses and cows with their spring babies.

Historic Train Depot

The road continues on to the historic spanish style railroad depot which now houses the library and city offices. The quaint little Caliente Museum, inside an old train car, gives a glimpse of Caliente's past. Once in town, we follow a 3-mile bike path that winds us through the heart of Caliente and circles us back to the depot. A train horn blares and a train rattles  by as we make a quick stop at the library to connect with WiFi before returning to camp.

Annette and Shug

Annette hanging off the side of the train museum

Easter breakfast... Pumpkin pancakes

Wash hike

Nature's landscape

Campsite at sunset

JOURNEY TO THE RACETRACK DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

Racetrack Rock

The Racetrack Rocks in Death Valley National Park have been on our bucket list for many years.  Actually getting to the rocks can be quite an adventure and many people blow out tires on the 27 mile dirt road. Annette, Lynn and I decide to rent a jeep and make our way down the rough road and out into the middle of nowhere to witness and walk among these famous mysterious rocks.  Here is a picture journey of our trip which was, without doubt, worth the effort.

Teakettle Junction

The day before we set out on this journey, Annette, myself and others tried desperately to save a 73 year old woman in the Shoshone RV park who had collapsed in her trailer.  unfortunately she did not survive and her husband was left to pack up and move on without her.  Over the years they both have spent many vacations here in the park and were on their last two days of a month stay when she passed.  Life is short and the fine line between life and death is razor thin.  We headed to Death Valley for healing and to honor Donna who loved this area.

Kristy and Lynn celebrating life

Racetrack Rock on the Playa (the playa is 1,000 ft deep)

buddies moving through life together

Kristy Annette and Shug at Teakettle Junction

Move at your own pace

Annette and Kristy admiring the rock and its track

Keep moving forward

Kristy and Annette falling over the edge of the  Ubehebe Crater

Make your own path in life

Kristy and Lynn

Choose your path wisely

Annette at Ubehebe Crater

Rock solid Friends