Today had three parts!
Provo: Before driving to Idaho, we explored Bridal Veil Falls, along the Provo River. With great scenery, a paved trail, and relatively flat walking, the trail delights walkers, runners, and cyclists.
Orem: On my way to Idaho, I stopped at the Target in Orem for groceries – and my next COVID and flu shots! Given some of my upcoming trips and knowing that friends who traveled to family weddings contracted COVID, I decided that it was time for me to get my next booster. I have to say, KUDOS to the pharmacy staff at the CVS in Orem’s Target! Very competent, compassionate, and helpful!
Castle Rocks State Park, Idaho: This is a gem for rock climbers! In fact, this weekend is the Idaho Mountain Festival, “a four-day, all-inclusive climbing retreat, hosted inside Castle Rocks State Park, right next door to the world-renowned City of Rocks National Reserve.”
We are camping for three days in the City of Rocks National Reserve. I’m still trying to figure out how Castle Rocks State Park (where our campground supposedly is) is related to the City of Rocks National Reserve. Also, I’m still unsure what a “national reserve” is, although I know it’s a part of the National Park System. Sophia at the Visitors Center was helpful when I arrived with maps and hiking recommendations. I may need to visit her tomorrow to have her clarify! 🙂
Bridal Veil Falls
Provo River
Bridal Veil Falls (I like the natural frame of the trees)
Addie patiently waiting in the City of Rocks as we explored part of the California Trail
“Although there may have been some visitation to the area by Europeans and Americans during the fur trade and exploration-era, the establishment of the California Trail through the City of Rocks is what brought the first significant number of European-Americans to what is now the Reserve. Emigrants following trails created by American Indians and trappers, crossed the continent in search of a better life, spurred on by Manifest Destiny. Approximately 240,000 people made their way west on the overland trails, primarily between the time when gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California in 1848, and when the transcontinental railroad was completed in 1869.” Source: NPS
City of Rocks
Emigrants scratched their names and travel dates into some of the rocks along the Emigrant Trail. This way, others knew that they had been there.
“Freeman & D. Tickner: Daniel Tickner was born in Graves End, Kent, England around 1812 and immigrated to the United States in 1826. He eventually settled in Albion, IL, with his parents and other family members. In 1840 Daniel married Mary Wood, and they made their home in Albion, where he worked as a blacksmith. Their first child, Ellis Sarah, was born in Albion in 1847. In 1850, Mary’s parents asked Daniel to travel to California to retrieve his brother-in-law, John, who had gone in search of gold. A. Freeman, a friend of Daniel’s, accompanied him on the trek (which they made on horseback). It was on this trip that Tickner and Freeman wrote their names in axle grease on Register Rock. In 1852, Tickner once again headed to California, this time with his wife, children, and two brothers-in-law. The family made this trip in a covered wagon rather than on horseback.” Source: NPS
Swallows also leave their marks on the rocks
