it was HOT when we got to Cedar Pass Campground. The host, a young woman named Jade, was a delight. Most camp hosts are older; retired people who live part or all of the year in their RVs, hosting at different campgrounds (back in ‘22, we’d met a host who lived year-round in her RV; she spent the summer in Virginia and the winter in a campground in Florida.). Jade had chosen the lifestyle early on, and she was loving it; traveling all over the country, one camp host assignment at a time.

Here, I’d managed to book three nights, as Russ had expressed a desire to bike through the park. The next morning, he set out before me. Moe and I left later, in air conditioned comfort. Once again, we were surrounded by scenery of indescribable beauty.

Moe had a great time, even though he wasn’t allowed on any trails.

Russ’s ride was short, due to extreme heat. The next day I headed out early to hike some of the shorter trails along the eastern road through the park. One of the trails—Cliff Ledge—was surprisingly lush, a pocket of trapped moisture holding trees and shrubs and plenty of wildlife, including one very photogenic mule deer. Russ rode out one of the dirt roads that cut across the park.

Later, we set off together for some “golden hour” photography. I particularly wanted him to see the Yellow Mounds area at sunset. Our timing was perfect.

As we were returning to camp, we’d stopped at one more lookout when we spotted a herd of bighorn sheep galloping down the road. They were all wearing tracking collars except for one young lamb. One ram veered off the road, only to be startled by an equally startled mule deer.

Moe wasn’t quite sure about them:

but we thoroughly enjoyed the encounter.