mark feldman's summer trip capitol reef national park - july 24-5

the oft-overlooked capitol reef was a last-minute decision, but a very fortunate one.  unlike most of the other national parks in the southwest, capitol reef doesn't have a gimmick, so to speak, to attract the common tourist; it's also quite remote - 75 miles from the nearest traffic light.  and the nearby town of boulder had its mail delivered by pony until 1940.  but if you like your national parks wild, untamed, and uncrowded, this is the place to go.  its unique feature is the orchards of Fruita, which was once a Mormon town.  i was lucky enough to come during harvest for apricots, and i can safely say that i have never had more delicious fresh fuit in my life.

i was also lucky enough to spot a bighorn sheep, as you can see, and to catch sunset at gooseneck point.  and the cool weather (at least compared to arches and canyonlands) inspired me to do some actual cooking (as opposed to just heating things up) at the campground.  all in all, a good choice.

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