Lazy day of organizing, shorts walks and a quest to check in. Capital Reef NP campground is situated in old time orchards in “Fruita”. The Fremont River runs thru it and there are 3-4 nice walks/ hikes that start from the campground.
I started walking to the Visitor Center to get some post cards but the area has old homesteads/schoolhouse and talking exhibits by the old settlers about living “self-sufficient. Got sidetracked and took the morning and walked around, photographed some of the sites and started back. “The Gifford House” was open and had a very nice assortment of bakery goods. I bought …… a lot. The campground had really cleared out and I went back sat on my picnic bench and listened to the robins and ate part of my stash.
Postcards, I head back out that afternoon for the Visitor Center. I normally have my hydro-flask of water and my camera or phone when I head out. Walking stick and, if I don’t think I’ll be “hiking”, tennis shoes. I also haven’t been able to check in so I’m carrying my phone in case I get a signal. On the way I see a sign Fremont River Overlook, 1.8 miles. Goes straight up from the sign. Hmmm, maybe if I just go to the top of this first ridge I might get service. I’m not sure what kind of shape I’m in but steep doesn’t stop me much. Certainly makes me breath hard tho’. Off I go, 2.5 miles later way past the overlook and still no service. Every time I stopped I would hold my phone as high as I could but the circle kept circling. I sat down next to a Hoodoo, ate a apple and drank some water and headed back. I had the message trying to send the whole time. Nothing. But it was a nice hike (not a walk) I stop at the top of the last ridge before heading down, gazing around, took some pictures and BRRRRR, my phone beeped in my pocket and the message went! I said WTF, smiled and headed down.