The Elusive Photographer

Since Memorial Day was coming up, I wanted to go camping but was not sure where. I have always wanted to visit the San Rafael Swell area but had never been there. I knew that Utah's famous photographer, Mr. Dennis Udink, spent quite a bit of time there so I called him to see where would be the best place to camp. I was surprised when he suggested that I join him and his family camping in Buckhorn Flat for the weekend. What an opportunity, to be able to be taught by one of Utah's best and learn his secret for taking pictures. I jumped at the opportunity and told him I would come to Price (where he lives) and meet him on Wednesday.
 
On Wednesday, I met Mr. Udink, his wife Traci, their two sons, Michael (the oldest) and Bradley and their dog Torrey.  He gave me the coordinates where they were going to camp and said he and his family would be there on Thursday.  I headed to the camp site which was about just below the Cedar Mountain Ridge area a few miles north of the intersection to Buckhorn Flat. After setting up camp I explored the area and headed over to "The Wedge".

Looking south into No Name Canyon

The Wedge sign

Looking east into Little Grand Canyon

 The following day, Dennis and his family came. After they set up camp, Dennis and I headed out to explore an old school bus which had been left in the area for many years. We took several pictures of the bus and of petroglyphs in the area. It was fascinating to watch Mr. Udink preform his work. I could not believe I was witnessing a legend.

Mr. Udink (Utah's famous photographer)

Dennis checking out more petroglyphs

Fallen rock

Dennis taking pictures of the old school bus

The inside of the school bus

The next day, Friday, I went out with the Udinks exploring Buckhorn Flat. We saw many petroglyphs. Because of all the rain this spring, the area was so beautiful and green. We explored a back canyon that Dennis knew about.  At the end of one of the trails we found a small pool of water and next to it on the ground was a small bat that was having problems flying. It was a special moment to witness the elusive photographer in his element and watch him take close up photos of this bat and other things in the canyon. I learned so much this past weekend and hope I can improve my picture taking skills.

 

Pond at end of canyon

Bradley playing in the pond

Dennis showing tricks of his trade

Torrey, Dennis, Bradley

Cactus in bloom

Petroglyph

 On Saturday, we headed east along the old railroad trail, picking up caches and taking pictures of the area and history. We headed over to Box Flat by one of Dennis' caches. He and his family headed out to explore a natural cave in the area. It is not very accessible and you could stand right next to it and not see it which is a good thing. It has not been spoiled by humans. The cave goes back quite a ways and is very cool. Dennis noticed water running close by and did some more exploring. I sat up on the ledge as getting to this natural cave would be hard for me to get to with my bad knee.But I did do my own exploring from above.

Dennis taking close ups of Petroglyphs

Kiln along the old railroad trail

Looking into an offshoot of Box Flat

Dennis taking pics

Another shot of Box Flat area

Nice tree

Box Flat

Close by Dennis' cache in Box Flat where we ate lunch

Dennis exploring

Beautify area

On Sunday we took a short ride south to the San Rafael river and Hamburger rock. After the ride, Dennis wanted to explore back behind camp and wanted to find a road that had eluded him on previous visits. I guess he didn't want to share all of his secrets with me but what he did will help me in my quest to become a good photographer.

Dennis' machine

Dennis by Hamburger rock

Dennis taking pictures

San Rafael

Traci and Michael

Dennis at the end of the road

Dennis and Bradley

The cross tree

Dennis and Traci trying to remove a snake that had crawled up inside the ATV

The snake would not come out

Free at last

Dennis and his family left Sunday afternoon (after the wind died down somewhat) and I left Monday morning because the wind was usually calmer at that time. The wind blew the whole weekend and at times the gust really shook the trailers. If things were not tied down, they were gone.  I hate the wind. All in all, it was a great weekend. Not only did I get to see a part of Utah I have always wanted to visit, I got to spend time with Utah's famous photographer. What a memory.

Camp

Loading up to go home

Udinks leaving

Me leaving

Petroglyphs by camp

Cactus growing in rock by camp

Midway in the spring

I was tired of the gloom and rain so I decided to take a ride up the canyon to Midway and check up on some of my caches (and find a few) and visit the State Parks Campground where I will be staying during the State AM at Soldier Hollow in July. I wanted to make sure my trailer would fit in the spot I had selected. The farther I went up the canyon the more the clouds separated and blue sky was visible. It was beautiful to see all the green hills, snow capped peaks and NO rain.

I checked on a few of my caches and then to the State Park campground. My spot may be a tight fit but I should be able to back the trailer in. I'm glad I took a book to read today and stopped by one of the park areas next to Deer Creek and read and watched birds building a nest. Nothing like picking up yours spirits on a beautiful spring day.

As I rode back down the canyon, the gloom returned (and the rain) but at least I was able to escape it for an afternoon. I may have to do that again soon.

Spring to Summer in One Week

I headed out to Little Moab this past week (Tuesday - Saturday) to check on some of my geocaches, ride, and get away from everything. I took our dog, Shelby, out with me but after the first morning, she was limping around and having a hard time. I decided to run her home. It is only about 60 miles. After dropping her off and doing a few things in Town, I headed back to take in a late afternoon ride. It was windy most of the week except in the early morning hours.

I camped where Adams and Dibbles usually camp, on the west end of Little Moab area before the cattle guard.

Camp, looking south west towards Eureka

The desert is a carpet of green as we have received quite a bit of rain and snow this year. It is absolutely beautiful. I really enjoyed riding but it was cool until Friday when it turned summer overnight.

Looking east past Allen's Ranch through 12-mile pass

I had no visitors until Friday with the exception of three people on Wednesday. Two of them were on the west side of camp over one of the hills and were shooting several different firearms with some bullets hitting rocks every once in awhile. They came awfully close to camp. The other guy on the east side of camp, over a ridge, was shooting a rifle across the canyon. I saw him drinking and shooting. I stayed away and hoped he did not try and shoot up the canyon. I would have had to return fire if he wanted to play that game.

Wednesday I took a ride over to 12-mile canyon and placed a cache. On the way over I ran into a small herd of antelope.  As I made it to the trail I wanted to search I had to maneuver slowly around the sheep and even found one stillborn. It was sad to see but food for other animals. I placed a cache nearby and headed home for dinner but was met by those three guys shooting.

Antelope on west side of Allen's ranch

Stillborn in 12-mile canyon

  Thursday, I ran into Santaquin and activated my two caches I had hidden and then came back to camp and read for awhile before taking another afternoon ride. Friday came the hordes of people and I knew it was time to head back to civilization (for a few weeks). Both Friday and Saturday I explored new areas in the Little Moab area and placed another cache in a dead-end canyon. It had a great view of the valley south of  Fairfield, Cedar Fort and Eagle Mountain (although you cannot see the towns).

Looking north towards Fairfield

Looking north from dead-end canyon

On Saturday, I met up with some geocachers who were new to the game and helped them find a few. We watched a few crazy people climb Little Moab in their rigs and then I headed back to camp, packed up and left. It was a great week except on Saturday it got warm extremely quick. I just wish the snow would melt so I can head into the mountains.

 Additional pictures of the area:

Lewiston Peak in background

Sheep herder leading two additional horses (in 12-mile canyon)

Looking south towards camp

Dead-end canyon on right

I could not believe this guy took a large fifth wheel to the base of the hill. The road in the bottom left goes through a wash that is only 10' across. He had to take the right trail that comes down the ridge (just above his trailer)

Chimney Rock (from the west side)