Christmas Hike 2014

December 27, 2014.

Antelope Island,

   We meet at Our Saviors Lutheran Church at 8:30 am. I was a very brisk morning and Robert, Liam, Mark, and Layne were already waiting. We didn't have to wait too much longer before Joe, Jeff, and Bryce showed up. We loaded a stove, some implements, and other necessary supplies for a mid-point breakfast Joe had planned for our intrepid adventurers! Once all of the gear was safely stowed in Jeff's truck, we started our journey to Antelope Island. After a short jaunt down a few back roads we made it through the gate and down the causeway to the trailhead at Buffalo point.

   On the way we saw these four monsters!

 

   Not entirely sure what time we started the hike, but hey, it was Saturday and I didn't have any plans afterwards. Our planning session did take long and the boys dug right into Robert's quick refresher course on orienteering.

   The Intrepid explorers and two old guys! Right above Liam (third from the right) you can see the back of the Buffalo I tried getting into the shot. He moved, along with a few of the explores as the timer wound down.

    This is one of the resident Buffalo we saw hiking the trail.

Our halfway point and breakfast, compliments of Joe! He was serving his world renowned Mountain man breakfast.

   After breakfast, we headed back towards the trailhead. As we approached a turn a new phase was coined; "Bisonpoopun"! No, it isn't a new product from Volkswagen and I'm not sure which boy announced that there was a Bison up on the hill, well you get the idea...

   On the last portion of the trail we ran into the same fella who was too shy to stand still for our group photo.

   A cold brisk morning, but an excellent five mile hike on a beautiful island.

Geode Beds

The sound of thunder shook the desert as Joe’s overloaded vehicle attacked the winding and desolate road, the same trail made famous by the Pony express! The only difference between those early explorers and Joe was the half ton per second clouds of dust billowing from the tail end of our cargo trailer. Our destination was the Dugway Geode beds and we were not delivering mail; we were in search of Geodes. The strange and ever so beautiful rhyolite rocks with cavities filled with multicolored crystalized quartz.

Eighteen of us embarked on this mining adventure and most everyone had already been there a few times, however it was the first visit for Coltin and I. The trip out is long and best taken during daylight hours. Unfortunately, Friday was our chosen departure date which means we have to wait for all of the adults to finish work for the day before starting the adventure. Trips like this cannot be accomplished in a single night; this is why we must leave on Friday. A troop 17, adventure isn’t quite the same without having to set camp in the dark! Once past Vernon you turn onto dirt roads and that is where all the fun begins. Coltin and I were running late and it was just the two of us in "Yota" my 95' Toyota Camry. If you choose to partake in this adventure leave the car at home and bring a truck. A Camry is not designed for off road and there was a time or three or maybe six we were on only three wheels! After many twist, turns, and twelve tons of dust we found our destination. I honestly do not remember what time we finally made it but we were all tired. Once the tents were pitched we decided to set up the kitchen in the morning. We did a little stargazing and hit the bags for a early rise!

These guys were raring to go!

Camp after breakfast!

 Shootin' the bull, after breakfast!

Geode hunters!

Eat your heart out Indiana Jones!

There's a hole, there's a hole!

Pay dirt!

Precarious!

Going back for another load!

Look at this one!

It's hammer time!

Leave no trace!

"Yota"

Saturday night sunset in the high desert!

Now, if you are a fan of the Science channel's Through the Wormhole. I want you, in your best Morgan Freeman voice to say: "Through the Geode"!

The first picture had a hiding scout! Legend! As you can see this is a tough shot! I had to convince thirteen young hyperactive men to hold still while I focused a camera through the hole of a small Geode!

The adults were a little easier to have hold still, just barely!

My photo prop!

This time of year is perfect for visiting the Geode bed, I don't believe it made it over 75 degrees the whole weekend. Happy digging!