Sweet Surprise at Capital Reef + A Doggie Goblin

At least four kinds of apples.

We picked 5 lbs of apples cost $5

Dan in Fruita orchard

 

We arrived at Capital Reef in the morning after driving from a little out of the way campground called Calf Creek. An interesting aspect about this campground is we had to ford the creek to get to our campsite. There are falls nearby but we did not take time in the frosty morning to go see them. One of the many things to come back to this country for. We drove to the end of the scenic drive (in Capital Reef) and had lunch then headed for the popular hike to see the Hickman Natural Bridge. 

After we settled in to a camp spot in Capital Reef Nat'l Park, Dan went for a walk with Millie and discovered an apple orchard all set up for U-pick. He came to get me and we went picking. There were ladders and picking poles and plenty of apples up fairly high. So what to do with an abundance of apples? Bake an apple crisp of course. I had all the ingredients I usually use. Flour, sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, butter, oatmeal... No ice cream so I had mine with a little sweetened plain yogurt. Yummmm!

Apple crisp in DeMarle baking pan.

Now on to the doggie story... Millie is doing pretty well on this trip. We actually think she is able to stay calm with it because she is deaf and all of the noise stimuli that used to excite her is no longer there. But she ran into some excitement in the Goblin Valley State Park. Goblin Valley is this surprising little park that feels like it is the middle of no where. 

Dan & Millie by a goblin

This place is where you really need to get in touch with your inner child, there is no end to the photo opportunities. Of course I had to at least plank a time or two...

So Millie was trooping and sniffing along as usual until we came around a rock and she suddenly went crazy. Growling, barking, the hackles stood on the back of her neck were up. We couldn't figure out what was going on until we bent down to her level and looked up at the goblin silhouetted in front of her. Here is what she saw.

Millie's Dog Goblin, do you see it?

Today we drove to Moab and spent our Sunday working... Laundry, vacuuming, grocery shopping, charging electronics... tomorrow (Halloween) we get to hike the "Fiery Furnace" of Arches.

greetings to all

jean

postscript... used some more of the apples to make a glaze with the pork chops I cooked for dinner. Dan is begging for another crisp.