Last September Cat and I spent a week in the deserts of Utah, and took a day trip from our base camp in Moab to visit Capitol Reef National Park. The lesser known of the five major national parks in southern Utah, Capitol Reef has amazing views and incredible hikes and drives but with way less people than places like Arches or Zion National Parks. Cat and I hiked to several small slot canyons within the park, then chose to relax among the peach and apple orchards of the historic Mormon settlement of Fruita along the banks of the Fremont River. This settlement is now run by the National Park, and offers a shady respite from the desert sun. Green grass, lots of fruit trees and abundant water bring what few people who visit the park all together, and usually attract a herd of mule deer, much to everyone's delight. Look closely at the picture above and you can see a deer's ears on the other side of the wooden fence, resting in the shade of a peach tree. The Gifford House in the valley sells park related items and doubles as a museum for the town of Fruita; they also make and sell amazing mini pies including apple, peach, cherry and rhubarb. Oh, and their wildberry ice cream cures every hiking-related ailment, ever. Of course, Cat and I settled down at a shaded picnic table on the lawn of the Gifford House and enjoyed pies and ice cream, fueling back up for another hot hike in the desert.
Leave me a comment and let me know if you thought desert oasises were just fantasies, or if you've ever been to one as awesome as this!
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