Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF)

Another lesson learned. After the truck's first 5000 miles or so, a message appeared on my dash that DEF needed to be added in about 1000 miles; subsequent messages occurred at 500 miles, etc. Yesterday, with about 4000 miles since I last added DEF, a message - Fill DEF Fluid NOW; otherwise, truck speed will be limited to 65mph in 400 miles. Unlike my previous experience, this time I did not receive the warnings at 1000 and 500 miles. Unfortunately, at the time of these messages, I was in the middle of remote UT where DEF is unavailable; by the time I got to Grand Junction, the truck was very close to being speed limited. When I purchased DEF from the local GMC dealer, I learned that trucks use DEF faster when towing; which I've been doing a lot of lately:). This time, I purchased an extra 2.5 gallons of DEF to keep in the truck for future use - lesson learned.

Back in Colorado!

Typical springtime in the Rockies! After traveling through Utah in whiteout conditions I arrived in Fruita, CO today; camping at the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (Fruita Section).

Site 38 at the James M. Robb Colorado River State Park - Fruita Section

St. George Utah - Saturday 5/10/14

Taking the day off:) to visit St. George, Utah. Been here before several times but not with time. Sought out the library wifi to post this blog; the library is on the Town Square which is a lovely, quiet spot in the heart of historic downtown. Found a small farmer's market and bought a loaf of olive bread; a bit light on the olives but still good:)

St. George seems like a nice small town in places but don't think I'd want to live here; not sure why but just don't get a great feel for it. Of course one day is not enough time to judge but I'm ready to move on; maybe I'll come back next winter to take a closer look:)

Still having computer issues (now it is with iPhoto); will upload photos later.

Zion NP May 8th

Drove to Kolob Canyon, westside entrance to Zion, to hike to the Kolob Arch via the La Verkin Creek Trail in the Zion Wilderness. Beautiful scenery all along the 14-mile/7 hour roundtrip trail. A beautiful, large rock arch is the reward at the end of this trail. The trail follows a creek most of the way and is easy walking; about 1400 feet change in elevation but most of the gain is on the return trip on the last couple of miles to the trailhead.

Most people hiking this trail are backpackers who stay in one of the 13 designated campgrounds along the trail. Met nice people along the trail, mostly young college age "kids":) 

Present most of the hike and felt really good; my pack weight is 15-20 pounds. No pain the next day during a brief morning walk/jog.  Starting to feel very confident about recovery of my tibia stress fracture:)

Zion NP May 7th

Drove to Zion; rainy day today so I took the free shuttle up Zion Canyon and hiked a couple of short trails - Grotto and Emerald Pools.

Zion NP Lodge

Falls at Emerald Pool

Moving to Hurricane

Still having computer issues so I'm catching up on blogs. On May 6th, I moved from Cannonville to Hurricane, Utah.  A 120 mile drive took me through Zion NP; spectacular views! Checked into the Willowind RV Park in Hurricane and took it easy rest of the day.

Present

Taking a break from reading Les Miserables (whew!); rereading Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now". It's been several years since my last reading and it rings more true than ever. For example, I find that I'm sometimes able to meditate when hiking just by focusing on the repetitive steps and my breathing. I'm also able to more often "watch the thinker" in my we I get frustrated or angry; can't always disassociate myself from these emotions but am getting better at being present.