The Black Box... Another View

We took one path down to the Black Box, but found a sudden and deep drop off. End of the line, it seemed. However, we did notice sort of a shelf, just below us, that seemed to follow the canyon both directions. We found a way down to this shelf, then proceeded to follow the river, scrambling over rocks, almost to its resurfacing at Mexican Mt. In the meantime, some shots of the river deep in the black Black Box. (do I have to remind you... click on the pics for a larger image). The river was high, but I bet in a couple weeks the runoff will make this a monsterous place to be.



Here's our intrepid photographer, right on the edge (very scary), getting the shot.


Unfortunately, right after he took this shot, a gust of wind blew him over the side. You could hear his screams all the way down. Too bad, he was a great friend and good camp wife. More Black Box pics...





After following the river for what seemed like miles (1/2 mile?), I worried about getting out and back to the truck. The problem was finding a wash that would lead me back to the Mexican Mt. road. I only had a vague idea where I was, close to Mexican Mt. itself, and a few landmarks to follow. So I headed away from the Black Box. Amazingly, I found Rodney... he'd rescued himself, and, as I saw when we got back to the road, we were very close to where the river resurfaces and where he was able to get out. And, he kept his camera dry!

To celebrate, I took some pics of wild flowers. No blooming cactus, yet, just buds...




I recognized the point where we hit the road, coming up the wash (follow the cow shit, says Rod), and soon we were back to the truck. Then back to the camp for a well deserved beer!

I've been to this area of the San Rafael many times, now. I keep thinking I'll get bored, and should move on to another part. But then I find more canyons to explore, more things to discover. Can't wait for the next trip down here.

Mexican Mt. Road

Sunday was a really beautiful day. Still cold, still windy, but just fine for exploration. The first thing I noticed was this arch... I've looked around this campground a million times but never seen this. It is an arch, isn't it... Sherm's arch... It's an arch... (don't look around it too much).


So, anyway, we decided on a big hike. Someone told us about another path into the Black Box, other than the "official" trails (I suspect there are many alternate ways in). So off down Mexican Mt. road we went. Check the view above...

The San Rafael river is odd. Check the following pic... here the river is peaceful and on the surface. Soon after this point, it dives deep into a narrow canyon (pics of this in the next blog post).


As we continued down the road, there were many stops just to admire the buttes and formations. I'll finish this post with a collection of shots I took (as usual, click on the pics for a bigger image). Note: Rodney, photographer extraordinaire, also took many shots. But you'll have to pay for his (more on this later after his web site is up), mine are free...







Next post, the infamous Black Box itself... stay tuned...

Drinking in the Desert Part 2

This group campout was the annual Cinco de Mayo celebration (a few days early). A recent tradition is the Saturday evening cocktail party, although our usual hosts, Marsha and Bobby D., DID NOT SHOW UP! (may they be cursed forever...). But, on with the show... Jane and Wraye hosted this year and did a bang up job. And the treats were great! The cold weather discouraged the usual "formal" wear, but a few folks got into it anyway...






Most of us fought the wind and managed supper, then off to the fire for some music and more drinking. Unfortunately, my fingers were too cold to work the camera, so no shots of people falling in the fire, hurling, or anything else embarrassing... But then, things really were mellowed by the weather, so most of us had an early bed time, the sleeping bags were compelling.

Pissing Contest

Our wood run took us down the road (towards I-70) as far as the great sinkhole.


And, after an afternoon of drinking, what better place to relieve some of the bladder pressure.


After loading the trailer with wood, we drove back to camp, and got a great view of Buckhorn Wash as it drops into the San Rafael river.

Drinking in the Desert Part 1

Quite a weekend down in the San Rafael, although tragedy struck early. Just after arrival, I looked in my cooler and realized I'd forgotten my tequila. An unpardonable sin! I'll never live it down. Fortunately, Harry came to my rescue, and we spent early Saturday afternoon doing what all good desert campers do... drink! (the Modello was quite good as well!). As usual, click on the pics for a bigger image.


We were soon joined by others, and a 12 year old Chivas.



As one would expect with afternoon drinking (and, I suspect, other substance abuse), things got a little weird... (Don't ask...)


At some point, we returned to reality and decided that survival dictated a wood run. The weather was cold, with a steady breeze adding to the wind chill. A big fire was needed. So off we went, down the road quite a ways... and new adventures... see next post (or previous post, depending on how you read this blog)
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SLAJO at Burt's

Last Thursday, the Salt Lake Alternative Jazz Orchestra played down at Burt's Tiki Lounge.  The performance was highlighted by an appearance from original group founder Dave Chisholm, who sat in on trumpet.  This group is amazing, a 14 piece big band held together for 7 years or more now.  Yes, lots of changes, but still an innovative jazz big band.

One interesting note, Comcast videoed the performance (along with two other jazz related groups playing that evening) for their public access channel.  I don't use Comcast, but apparently they've been doing this sort of thing for some time.  If you are a Comcast cable customer, look for this performance on their public access channel sometime in the next 6 weeks or so.

 

 

Tribute to a Local Jazz Icon

Last night the University of Utah large jazz ensembles held a recital, and a tribute to the head of jazz studies, Henry Wolking, who is retiring in July. Henry has been a huge influence on his students, and on the local jazz community, as an instructor, a composer, and a player (he held down a trombone slot with SLAJO for many years, but that role is just one of many over the years).

Marco Blackmore and David Halliday had the ensembles really cooking, perhaps the best U of U big band concert I've ever attended. A special treat for me was the appearance by guitarist Willis Clow, who was in town for a clinic with the U's guitar students. Willis played on a couple tunes, and especially excelled in a duet with David.

Stupidly, I didn't bring my recorder to capture the action, just a few photos...

First, with his bud Steve Lyman on drums...


Taking a solo...


The hot duet with Halliday...


A fine night of jazz. And best wishes to Henry in his retirement (I suspect a lot of great music will result from the extra time).