capitol reef

so we took the kids camping with e’s parents at capitol reef this weekend.  both the kids were sick, which was a challenge, but otherwise they loved it.  capitol reef is in southern utah, so it’s got all the expected red rocks with tremendous landscapes.  somewhat less expected (for me, anyway) was that the canyons and valleys were shaped by water, so it’s a little like walking at the bottom of the ocean. (yes, i know it’s a “reef” but i’m a little slow sometimes…there’s a “goblin valley”, apparently, too, but i doubt there’s real goblins there…)  the place flash floods, too, when there’s a good storm, so there are washes with interesting textures and patterns along the walls and that are shaped by the flow of rushing water.  seriously, some of these structures and cliffs i’ve only ever seen replicas of at amusement parks — it was mind-blowing to see the same sorts of things in real life and about 80 times larger.  anyway, i took lots of cool pics.  here they are:

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