roadtrip 2019     

Eventually. maybe in a few million years, the rest of the rock under the beginning arch shape will erode to make the arch, and then after that, nature will produce a parking lot and whatever vehicles homo sapiens (if we're still around) will be driving (if we're still driving anything).

Definitely not your level strata. Some violence occurred here to shove all that rock up at that angle. The forces required to do that are unimaginable.

The next few photos are an attempt to capture some of the incredible topological features of this place. In my opinion, Capitol Reef beats Arches and Canyonlands, as awesome (original meaning of that word) as they are.

Gnarly, eh?

In case nobody is teaching this any more, here's a fun fact:
Lizards cannot generate body heat. They depend on external sources of warmth, like the sun, and sun-warmed rocks. There were three of these warming their bones on this rock!

Another fun fact: the core of the human brain is an old section (basal ganglia) that we share in common with lizards, in fact it is often called the "lizard brain." The Triune Brain hypothesis was developed by Paul MacLean in the 1960's and in recent years has become both popularized and somewhat transcended by current brain research. The general idea is that reptilian brain is responsible for reptilian behavior in both reptiles and humans. Parking lots at national parks might offer evidence for this hypothesis.

In recent years there has been some refinement of this reptile brain hypothesis. From wikipedia:

"Glynda-Lee Hoffmann, in her book, "The Secret Dowry of Eve, Women's Role in the Development of Consciousness," references the triune theory explored by MacLean, and she goes one step further. Her theory about human behavior and the problems we create with that behavior, distinguishes the prefrontal cortex as uniquely different from the rest of the neocortex. The prefrontal cortex, with its agenda of integration, is the part of the brain that can get the other parts to work together for the good of the individual. In many humans the reptilian cortex (agenda: territory and reproduction [in humans that translates to power and sex] is out of control and the amygdala stokes the fear that leads to more bad behavior. The prefrontal cortex is the key to our future if we can harness its power. "

Come to think of it, Glynda-Lee Hoffmann's insights explain a lot about both national park parking lots and modus operandi of some of our most infamous politicians. It might be a useful hypothesis that some human beings might actually be lacking a prefrontal cortex.

These are hard to see, both on the rock walls and in the photos, though I have adjusted the contrast to bring out the drawings. From the park service:

"A geological palette of sedimentary and igneous textures creates the colorful canyons, ridges, buttes, and monoliths of Capitol Reef National Park. This area has been a homeland to people for thousands of years. From 7,000 - 500 B.C.E., Archaic hunters and gatherers migrated through the canyons hunting game that is common now (bighorn sheep, deer, elk, pronghorn). From 300 - 1300 C.E., the Fremont Culture began farming corn, beans, and squash. Petroglyphs etched in rock walls and painted pictographs remain as sacred remnants of the ancient Indians' saga."

The trail to Hickman Bridge is 0.9 mile long, and gains 400 feet in elevation. Easy, right? Nope. It not only is rough rock scrambling at times, but it also goes up and down enough that the total elevation "gained" is probably four times that. And, because this is high desert where of course nothing grows, there were all kinds of flowers in bloom.

And there it is: Hickman Bridge. Being mid-day, the lighting was horrible for photography and the actual bridge is difficult to see in this photo.

In this close-up, I have "erased" everything under the bridge, making it easier to see (ya, photoshop). At the point from which I took this photo, there was an alcove in the rock large enough to stand in (enough for 2 or 3 people) and it was cool and in the shade. A young man named Ryan was there, his shoes off and just taking in the sights. We chatted for a bit. Turns out he is on a summer-long roadtrip and gathering information from others as he travelled regarding what to see and what to skip. It was a fun conversation.

What good is owning a Jeep Wrangler if you don't use it to go down roads like these???

Up close and personal.

Text and images copyright 2018 Thomas D'Alessio and Jocelyn Boor