Castle Valley and Manti-La Sal National Forest

Dave’s Syndrome kicked in today. And it was nasty.

We didn’t set up to plein air until the hottest part of the day. I began to realize that my body had a very difficult time regulating. I guzzled gallons of water. I chased shade and layered bandanas soaked in ice chest water to help lower my temp. But my body and brain still managed to fry.

Nothing could be done to deter Dave’s Syndrome on Day 9.

Dave’s Syndrome

Emotionally and physically drained, one or both of us suffered from the maddening systems: anger and frustration dripping with curses and cantankerous attitudes. Before either of us could tap out, we made for the hills in search of a cure.

It was not a successful day of plein airing at Castle Valley.

Pointing the truck east, we drove towards the Manti-La Sal National Forest.

Dino-paw Verses Human-paw

We stopped at the Bull Canyon overlook, a scenic overview with dinosaur tracks.

We climbed until the temperatures cooled and the landscaped changed. Unlike the Unitas, the earth was flavored with ponderosa pine and sagebrush.

Turn-down Service

We came upon a clearing that welcomed us like a turned-down bed with a mint on the pillow–a perfect place to set up camp. While pulling out bin numbers four and three to prepare dinner, I heard branches break and snap across the road and in the woods. A large black shape slowly moved from one tree to the next. My heart slammed into my gut. And then I realized it was a cow.

Catching my breath again, I could handle a herd of cows. But he was bull, not a gentle herd of cows. However, he mostly kept to himself, but he did keep us in his sights and continued to graze, crossing the street and into our grassy meadow. Apparently he assumed the mint on the pillow was for him.

Homemade Meals

Opting for a hot meal, we tried our first batch of dehydrated crab corn chowder. It did not disappoint.