Date:         Fri, 29 Apr 2005 10:20:27 -0600
Reply-To:     Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Bob Stevens <mtbiker62@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Utah trip report & photos
Comments: To: syncrolist <syncrolist@yahoogroups.com>, Syncro@yahoogroups.com
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"

"> I met Bob Stevens last week for some mtn biking
> in the San Rafael Swell of Utah.
> http://jones.colorado.edu/jones/Utah05-2"

Just a great report Richard. Makes me jones (no pun intended) for being back
in the Swell, just not in Iron Wash! ;>) Sure loved the camp site perch we
had, though.
.. what a massive grunt of a ride ... for human powered bikes anyway. The
few motorcycles we saw cruised right up the sandy, rocky, ledgy terrain no
problemo.

Here's a link to my adjunct photo's for that trip:
http://groups.msn.com/BobsPhotoShare/sanrafaelswellapril2124.msnw

Being able to access our first campsite near Temple Mountain, by driving
down a short, rocky, twisting trail, across a stream bed and up a deep,
sandy slope-road, put us in an area that we had exclusively, in "the
culdesac". Richard was the gate-keeper, directing the ATV traffic away from
our campsite. Funny event! The large Campers and 5th wheels couldn't get
across to that area.

And Richard's mention of that fleece thermal barrier as an effective
heat-trapper, is right on. I've just got to get a Propex heater to have a
more effective heater. The "sweat" that the catalytic causes won't be missed
by me once I get a better heater in there. Some examples of the temp
differential: it was 36 outside, and 62 inside. Unsnap one snap, put my hand
through the gap to the area above the fleece blanket and that temp
difference is INSIDE THE VAN, but separated by the blanket. It's a nice way
to be able to use the upper bed as storage for my stuff, keeping the top up,
but still having a warm and cozy environment in the sleeping and living
space.

The most moving feature of this area for me is the San Rafael Reef bordering
the west side of this 50 mile long, 30 mile wide geologic formation. I-70
cuts east/west through about the north/south middle of the Swell, and the
fins of the reef are "tipped" up toward the west. Driving through that is a
moving, beautiful experience.

Thanks for the fun trip Richard.

Bob