Capital Reef National Park is the only National Park in Utah that we have not visited, until today.
It receives less than a million visitors per year (compared to Zion's four million visitors).
Our campground in Torrey is just a few miles from the park entrance, so we have the entire day to explore the 378 square mile park. Capital Reef has been a national park since 1971, before its promotion it was a national monument. The park protects, not only the land, but also the history of Native Americans and Mormon pioneers.
I don't think pictures do this place justice, but I will gladly try.
The Fruita schoolhouse was built in 1896. The first school teacher here was young, twelve years old to be exact.
These were the pupils in 1935.
What an interesting bunch!
I love the wood burning fire place inside. I wouldn't mind teaching here, as long as I didn't have to convert to Mormonism and bear ten children. (Not even if those children would be as amazing as ours.)
The Capital part of Capital Reef got its name from Capital Dome, which early travelers thought looked like the US Capital building. The Reef part of the name comes from the geologic features which obstruct travels, like the Great Barrier Reef does.
Long before there were Mormons there were Native Americans.
They inhabited this land from about 300 to 1300 CE.
It is amazing how well conserved the pictographs are, but also how hidden they are. It took me a while to find them on the side of the cliff.
You can't help but wonder how many other pictographs are out there, possibly undiscovered.
Hmmm, should I quit my job to search for pictographs?
Maybe.
Capital Reef has one of the largest historic orchards in the National Park Service. Although all of the 2,000 trees produce fruit, only some are designated as "u-picks". Usually you can't take anything from a National Park, but I guess they don't want the food to go to waste.
Right in the middle of the orchards, close to the Fruita visitor center, is a huge park with lots of shade and picnic tables. We played here not once but twice today.
Heights are the coolest.
Near this barn, at the Gifford House, they sell fresh baked goods. The sales support park projects.
Mormons moved out here in the 1870s to be self sufficient.
No more than ten families at one time were ever supported by the land here in Fruita.
The last of the families moved from Fruita to Torrey in the 1960s.
You don't see this sign every day.
With a day in the park it is recommended to do the ten mile Scenic Drive, a perfect plan with a sleeping baby.
Capital Reef National Park is gorgeous.
It will be fun to come back here when A1 is a little older, and we can pick some fruit and go on some hikes.
Back in Fruita we picked up sourdough bread and apple pie at the bakery.
The bread was amazing and went perfect with out potato corn soup.
Apple pie from Capital Reef National Park is incredible. It is embarrassing to admit since I don't like pie. But I have to give credit where credit is due. I guess pie can be good. Who knew?
A1 would agree but her mouth is full.
Babe, you covered a whole lot of ground in one day. We were equally blown away by Capitol Reef. It is a gem, hidden and I like it that way. What a fabulous day you all had.
ReplyDeleteAs for pie, WHAT? It's nice you're a convert (at least to pieism). Thanks for bringing us along on this adventure.
We head out Sunday for Crater Lake and beyond. You've inspired us to get in our RV and roam. Let's compare notes.