Hot Rocks

Steve's hike into Arches on Friday was very interesting. He was going up to Sand Arch and there were cables and people and Park Service folks all over the canyon. Turns out it was a crew from Disney getting ready to set up for a night shoot for a new movie called "John Carter on Mars" based on a book by Edgar Rice Burroughs. They had equipment and props everywhere and some guy was laser scanning the area to computerize it for the backgrounds. Fortunately they just missed Steve when he walked into the canyon but the tech guy went to his computer and made sure Steve was not in the shots and explained what they were doing. (This guy says that this will be "better than Avatar"). They had a 30' balloon that they were going to inflate and put the lights on for the night shot. On our way out we must have seen a dozen or more big equipment trucks coming in to get it shot that night.


Moab is crazy. We must be in the center of the vacation universe. EVERY vehicle (except us) has a bike, atv, or rubber raft attached to it. Folks are driving through our small campground all day and half the night looking for a spot and asking us if we are leaving ... all the places are full. People are camped along the edges of the roads and in turnouts. Arches is a zoo with a lineup of 75 cars waiting to get in so we head to Dead Horse Point and Canyonlands. It has been hot here and we are loving it. Shorts and sandals and sunglasses. Sorry to all you folks in the soggy northwest. But we have reluctantly decided to leave on Sunday before the Monday traffic and get away from the camping mayhem. What ever happened to the idea that you should camp peacefully and respectfully in harmony with nature? This next generation are bringing mega tents and gear with them, camping in groups of 12-15 and yelling and shouting at their kids until late, and partying and playing their stereos half the night. (Bah Humbug ... guess we are showing our age). Heading north for a little peace and quiet.