Dinosaur Hunting in Southern Utah

Once Awsumb heard there were some easy dinosaur fossils and tracks to see he was pumped for the adventure.  So we cut Day 2 in Arches short to make it to these before sunset.  These trails are just a mile or so off the road about 15 miles from Moab. 

Let me know if you would like more information about exactly how to get to these trails. 
Click below for PDF Map and Directions
MILL CANYON DINOSAUR TRAIL

On the way to the dino fossils we learned

 that our car is an SUV, not and ORV! 

I can't be too mad at Kenneth,

much of this drive was through dry riverbeds

full of slippery sand and rock.

Do not attempt during or after rain. 

This actual walking trail also leaves a little

 to be desired as it is a bit rough (see above).

It takes a minute to understand what to look for

Read the signs and before you know it your discovering unmarked fossils! 

Camarasaurus Leg Bones 

Camarasaurus Leg Bone close up 

Sauropod Foot Bone 

Sauropod Rib and Shoulder Blade - Yum? 

Sauropod Tail Bones 

up close 

Sauropod Vertebrae 

There are also a few other gems along this trail:

including the sign warning you to avoid exposure to hantavirus!

What you can't see is that at the time you are standing on a narrow ledge

 and might be temped to lean into this nest... yuck!

Pack Rats - The Original Hoarders!

Fossilized Wood 

You can even see the rings from the tree 

The mouth of Mills Canyon 

 The Old Copper Mill

Ruins

 Because this group of fossils wasn't worth digging up
 for display they have been left for our discovery.
 Free to the public it is our job to preserve such places.
I know my son would love to visit along with his own children one day.

Can you see the removed fossil?

Copper Ridge Sauopod Dinosaur Trackway

Click here for MAP

If arriving from the South (Moab),

the turn-off is 23 miles north of Moab on State Road 191.

Turn east at mile post 148.7.

The turn-off to the Dinosaur tracks is on the east side of State Road 191. 

Cross the railroad tracks and follow the signs 2 miles down a dirt road to a parking area. 

The tracks are 100 yards up the hill to the east. 

The dirt road is suitable for passenger cars.  

Avoid this road when it is wet.

 

This was a much nicer road (dirt road, but flat and obvious)

with a short hike up this hill:

There are 5 different dino tracks in the immediate area.

And not just one track,

you can follow a handful at a time to see the dino in motion!

How cool is that!?!

These two are obvious Camaraurus (big ones)

Allosaurus (smaller one with pointy toes)

Kenneth read they were easier to see and photograph if you pour water on them.

And some have been marked by previous visitors.

Awsumb found lots of little lizards 

Well son, time to head back to Salt Lake City

Years ago I wanted to take Awsumb to Vernal to see this great museum built over a huge dinosaur that was 1/2 exposed... Turns out the buildings were closed as they are not earthquake proof and the ground has been declared unstable.  A trip to all the way out to Vernal just didn't seem worth it. 

BUT, I have since heard they are open again! 

 It's amazing how different the landscape is across America.

 

Don't forget to get your
DINOSAUR HUNTING LICENSE

If you live in Utah and haven't taken your children to Southern Utah, what are you waiting for?  There are so many beautiful parks including Bryce, Zions, Canyonlands and Arches.

Family Photos

The best thing about this trip to Utah was that I finally got a hold of my childhood family pictures. I was married just a few months before my parents divorce and when I moved out I took everything, all my baby stuff, pictures and scrapbooks, Christmas ornaments, everything. I just had this feeling I needed to take everything and I am so glad that I did. A few months later my parents separated and by the next January they were divorced and as the games began (or should I say continued) the family photo albums became lost in that

BIG BLACK HOLE of

"That's yours and this is mine!"

I was glad to have the photos that I did, but my scrapbooks pretty much make me look like an only child. When I cleaned out my Granparents house my Aunt was kind enough to help me sort through and put together as many "Utah Awsumb" photos as we could. And luckily, my grandmother had not only copies of school photos and posed portraits, but many of our casual family snapshots.

BUT, I always knew there were more and resented the fact that they were not shared.

Well, I guess possesion is 9/10 of the law and I am excited to scan these in and finally share them with my siblings. After all they belong to ALL OF US!  I found the above little gem and had so much fun looking at it with my father and siblings. So I guess you now you know what my big project of the moment is!

The dreary weather of the northwest allows you to lock yourself in a cozy house to work on projects guilt free!

More photos of Awsumb's Birthday and such to follow...

Disneyland World of Color

World Of Color September 2010

In an attempt to keep people in the Disney's California Adventure Park for a longer time into the evening hours, the Imagineer's dreamed up the WORLD OF COLOR water show.  And before it was even ready to debut they realized they had made some grave mistakes... the least of these not enough premium viewing space.  Who knew it would be so popular?  And so the mayhem to get the tickets for the perfect viewing spot began.

More than just a water show, World of Color is AMAZING!  it's like colored paint dancing to music and images projected on water.  Totally worth the trouble and a must see... video and photos just can't do it justice...  so what's the best way to make arrangements for the show?

Like Fantasmic, they don't really have "seating" for World of Color, but they do have a "park" designed for letting people spread out to watch it.  And they do have assigned seating - of sorts.  Starting at park opening, you can go to the Fast Pass machine for Grizzly River Rapids and get a World of Color fast pass, which gets you access to a specific seating area for a specific show.  There are better "seats" and they will run out early in the day.  The only "walk-up" areas are on the sides and back and will not get the full experience of the show.  There is a map that shows the colors on touringplans.com A couple of other points of interest:

- If you are staying at a Disney hotel, you can go into DCA 30 minutes early to get in line for World of Color tickets.  You enter through the Grand Californian park entrance, but all Disney hotel guests can use it.  They also open some rides (Soarin, Mermaid etc.) at that time.

- You can buy picnic lunches that include tickets, if you want to spend a little and guarantee "good" seating areas to the "better colored" sections.  These lunches are around $16.

- If you want to spend a lot, you can go to one of the table service restaurants and have a lunch ($30) or dinner ($40) package.  The meals are multi-course fixed price meals that include a premium seating area reserved for dining packages only. (We dined at Ariel's Grotto, food was plain and not worth the cost, next time we plan to try the Wine Country Trattoria as it has better reviews... I wish they would include Storytellers or Napa Rose!)

- You will still need to go early and line up before show time, even with fast passes or dining package tickets.  If you get there late, you might miss the chance to get your section or be in your section looking at the back of someone's head.

- At busy times, there will be more than one showing.  The later ones are easier to get tickets to, if you and your kids can stay up late.

What if you don't go to World of Color?  Well, there is the classic DCA move - "go over to Disneyland", but you can find lots of good stuff to do if you stay:

- ElecTRONica.  The Hollywood Pictures backlot is converted to a nightclub with loud music and flashing lights themed to Tron.  (It will be switching to a Mad T Party theme next year...)  It is the only "real" west coast Disney nightclub, with dancing and drinks, but it is okay for all ages.  They have some live entertainment (Laserman is really cool!) and an arcade full of classic games.

- Rides.  They close most of the pier, so a lot of the rides over there like California Screamin and Mickey's Fun Wheel are closed, but they DO leave Toy Story open.  This may be your best shot at a short line for that ride after 10:30am.  (By short, I mean twenty minutes.)  Other areas are open (Soarin, Tower of Terror, GRR, and Little Mermaid) and should have reduced traffic.  Cars Land (opening in the summer of 2012) should also be available.

- There is NO Shopping or Eating.  We actually tried to eat one time before the second showing of World of Color and the restaurants were shutting down.  (This is probably less of a problem in the summer and  may have changed since we have last visited.)  Also not an option right now - shopping.  All the main DCA shops are being rebuilt from the ground up.  They will likely be out of commission until summer 2012 when they have a grand re-opening for the Cars land launch.

Disneyland as Summer Turns Into Fall

In 2010 we discovered a new favorite time to enjoy Disneyland...

The Stolen Summer Days of September!

 Kenneth was itching to use our Annual Passes again and planned this late summer visit to see our favorite California relatives and of course visit Mickey!

September weekends can be busy, especially once the Halloween Festivities begin as locals return to the parks.  But weekdays are pefect warm and sunny days to visit the park with low crowds.

  

If you have a DISNEY VISA CARD,

don't forget to get your

Disney Visa Rewards Free 5x7

in California Adventure

each day between 10-11:30am

Years ago we got some great photos wtih Mickey and friends in aloha shirts,

but these days they seem to rotate through Chip and Dale or Pluto.  

Sometimes they'll let you pick something else off your Photo Pass,

but you can't always count on it!  

So we have TONS of photos with Pluto!

And the best place to cool off

Grizzly River Rapids

The ride I desperately try to avoid in January,

 but realized is much more fun in the heat of summer!

(You WILL get wet!)

Yeah, water rides in February (our usual time to visit) aren't so great.  And on a day we knew we would be all about SOAKIN' we even let Awsumb wear his swimsuit,

Winnie the Pooh and

Giant Sucker Too!

(I realized my son was not a normal 8 year old

when he only took a taste of this sucker

 and decided that was enough)

Toy Story Mania

Yes, a perfect Summer Getaway

 at Disney's California Adventure...

And then one day you as you enter the park you realize

SUMMER HAS TURNED INTO FALL! 

Make sure to get a photo in front of

the big Mickey Pumpkin

at Disneyland Town Square

Including all the usual

Classic Disney Magic
such as Tinkerbell!

 Overnight landscapers turn the park into a

Disney Fall Festival

And the Disney Characters dress up for Halloween

Mickey and Pluto as Vampires!

Kenneth and Donald Duck 

Jack and Sally found by The Haunted Mansion,

which becomes all decked with

The Nightmare Before Christmas theme

Disney Villians finally come out to play,

such as Cruella Deville!

And don't forget Space Mountain's Ghost Galaxy

Which actually made me a little sick

 and may be too intense for young kids

Most of these photos are from our Photo Pass CD

The going rate is $60.  No need to preorder for Disneyland, but it is a better deal for Disney World.  If you plan on buying a CD get as many photo ops with Disney photographers as you can. Sometimes I just don't feel like carrying around my big camera.  You can combine photo pass cards, so it's best to have a couple in your party if you ever plan to be separated.  Great for families and group trips.  After your trip simply log in online, enter your Photo Pass ID numbers.  Then you can edit photos and add special Disney borders. It does take a week or so to receive the CD in the mail.