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Show spring floods that would movet STREA ther vantage point... Those with less \ It is interesting to contemplate how a relatively small, isolated event like that can ripple out and affect our lives. My husband, Peter and I were lucky. Our trip to Grand Junction was not hampered by the event. As a driver of a sedan that was also stopped remarked (with no small amount of sarcasm), “It's nice to see those 4-wheel drive vehicles really being used for 4-wheel driving.” (1 wanted to protest that navigating my “driveway” after a downpour qualifies as a 4-wheel drive experience too, but decided he probably wasn't interested.) Navigating around the carnage was a little like playing Tetrus...without fear of missiles taking you out. For us, it was the highlightof the day, even though we had to drive the “long way around” upon our return from the big city. I always feel fortunate to witness or come across a rock fall shortly after it has taken place because the scope of geologic time is so expansive, and our own tenure on the planet so minuscule. To see a piece of cliff that has broken off after staying in the same place for 200 million years? It still boggles my mind that I've been around for 30 (okay, almost 31) years. But, how were other people affected? Let's pretend I actually did research and investigated what the ramifications were (which I didn't). Hypothetically speaking, the dispatcher at the sheriff's office had a light adrenalin rush because I called 911 when -8115 was busy for 10 minutes. There was a subsequent let down when they learned the nature of the situation. After all, it did not require the same use of their skills that I envision when I think of an emergency. As an aside, Peter and I debated mightily about whether the obstruction constituted such an event. We finally decided that 911 in Moab was probably not under the same stresses that it is in large cities and that someone could potentially be hurt if they were not paying attention while driving. Not that it ever IOUSN ESS... By Anne Wilson happens. UDOT workers were called away prematurely from that last cup of coffee and (allow the Earth moves me creative license) donuts. The planned projects for the day were put on hold, much to the chagrin of those who were waiting for a pothole on 5th West to be fixed. Frustrating for UDOT as well, but they did get to pull out and drive the really big equipment. In my experience, most men really like those opportunities. Also, the adrenalin high from using the D9 to roll a gigantic boulder over the river bank without going through the permitting process of the Army Corps of Engineers must have been more than light. With the enormity of the rock in my mind, and taking into consideration how long I am ignoring the fact that “my” breasts seem to be even more impressive than the last Lame 4, Did anyone care? MOFC ONSC When 4 anthropomorphic leanings would fall back on the old freezing, thawing, moisture thing. I must admit that is nearly as interesting, but it doesn't give me quite the same satisfaction. issue and I hope everyone else does too. I am not hopeful given that the most comments I have received on any of my essays were in response to the last Lame issue...and they did not address my literary endeavors. I will forge ahead nonetheless. It's expansion and contraction time in red rock country these days, with low temperatures in the 20's and daytime highs in the 50's. The three odd inches of rain (just to clarify, it's not that the inches were odd, but that it might not have been exactly three of them) in recent some road projects take,I maintained that it would be several weeks before the road was completely repaired. Peter said a week on the outside and lo and behold, by 6 pm they had removed the obstruction and I understand the road was passable. Who would have weeks have added to the drama. There have been large rocks and tiny boulders falling on Highway 128 occasionally. There was a mini mudslide—or maybe just a drainage overflow—-across the road. In any case, local drivers should now substitute their tourist antenna for debris antennae and keep a watchful eye. I also look for the Desert Bighorn buck who sometimes trots down the middle of the road near mile 9, but so far no luck. thought? One of the great things about me is that I have learned to admit when I am wrong and will give due credit to he who was right. Of course, I am not wrong very often so it all works out in the end. The Event I did have the good fortune recently (allow me if you will, to crow with glee) to come it merely beige?) sedan had to double back to 191 and go north to Crescent Junction. They missed the rest of the scenic byway and raptor gazing on the Cisco desert. They were only upon the “rock fall” in the middle of Highway 128 a couple of miles before Dewey early in the morning before UDOT made its appearance. Hurrah! Let me take a moment and assure everyone that I felt troubled for those who reside at Dewey, and for those whose adversely impacted. The fellow in the cocoa (or was it burnished gold?) Toyota 4-runner However, back to the topic at hand. The couple from Illinois in the champagne (or was trying to get to Denver and since it was 7:30 in the morning, I don't think their plans were powered through the debris and thus did not miss his plane to Mexico. schedules were significantly affected in an adverse way. In other words, bummer if they missed a plane. That said, wow, was it cool! It was a splendid illustration of what can happen when Mother Earth decides to move. A gigantic piece of cliff “bounced” across the highway and landed in the river, cratering the road and the road base. I would have loved to see the ensuing splash. One majestic boulder stood upright, comfortably ensconced in the middle of both lanes. Etiquette was observed; the tumbling occurred in a straight stretch thus preventing the barreling local (not taking my advice) from careening around a blind curve and becoming mush. There was no sign of any upright pointed cowboy boots, Italian loafers or Merrells peeking from years ago still weighs on me. Personally, I was instantly convinced that the planet was voicing its opinion about the Rio Colorado at Dewey development. On the other hand, it is entirely possible that the immense pieces of cliff were just tired of staying in one place for 200 million years and wanted a different view. That leads me to wonder if there isn't a plan afoot for large Concern about the illogical investment to (among other things) pave roads to the “clear cut” lots, that require ever so much imagination to envision a building envelope, shut down the work for the day. (Very uncharitable of me, and I am sure the investor is thinking that I had better not ever show my face in the convenience store. Heaven help me if I do, Kyle & Carrie Bailey's wT EEZs 140 South 200 East I picked up the mail too, does that count?) LeGrand Johnson semis were unable to haul road base to Rio Colorado at Dewey. underneath, a 14 the Wicked Witch of the East. AL Fannigo The couple in the large silver Lincoln with local plates had turned around and sped off in the other direction before I could dust off my sociology degree to draw any stereotypes. Ballard or some of the other residents of Dewey may have needed a carton of milk. Not to mention conducting business, running errands, or being on time for a job. If any of them are like my mother was in the 1970's and only drive to town once a week, their larders might have been quite bare. (To this day I am not sure if my mother's frugality was a matter of principle, a result of the oil embargo, or fiscally based. Probably it was all three. Whatever her impetus, the day I drove to town solely for a pound of butter five COTTONWOOD : CONDOS Rep aes ie 84532 MOAB. UTAH 800-447-4106 or 435-259-8921, (435) 259-8897 A L A SK ] A : CHARTER AIR SERVICE BEACH 6 GLACIER LANDINGS GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK TRY OUR WEB SITE: fandango@moabutah.cc : Overnight Accomodations Full Kitchen Units from noisy Main Street Condo | i 3 Utz LEE oF < = ER! me ODATIONS Al NM ae OT , MOUNTAIN FLYING SERVICE Paul Swanstrom P.O. Box 1404 Haines AK 99827 907-766-3007 in Haines or 1-800-954-8747 |