To backtrack somewhat, our four volunteers showed up at the boat Tuesday evening, the day before the trip, to stow some gear and food. They finished loading the boat Wednesday morning and we moved on to the required safety instructions. Our N.P.S. ranger was on her day off so our neighbor, Valerie, a N.P.S. volunteer filled in. Although this was her first welcoming gig, she did a great job. The volunteers were also welcomed by Gizmo and were soon very aware of his “Play with me” squeaks.
Nancy bonding with Gizmo
All were fast friends within a few minutes. Our volunteers came from Maryland and consisted of two sisters, Karen and Nancy, Karen’s husband Charlie and Nancy’s son Mark.
We took off around nine and headed downlake,
"Grasshopper Rock"
trailing the Eliminator and the runabout behind us.
Five hours later, give or take few minutes, we arrived at the entrance to the Escalante. Claudia and Mark took off in the runabout to find a parking spot for a few days. As the rest of us were slowly creeping into the arm, a small power boat pulled alongside and asked us to stop. He found a burned TV on the beach next to his parking spot and wanted to know if we could take it. Absolutely! He took off and soon returned with a now very used TV set.
We continued on. Claudia did not find a suitable spot so we turned around to look on the other side of the channel. When we got to the south side of the channel, we saw J-14, a rental houseboat, parked on the bank. About 275 to 300-feet to their left was a suitable parking spot so I cranked in some left turn and headed for it. (It later turned out to be 127 long paces from their boat)
I saw the folks on J-14 wave Claudia over and they began to chat. Claudia then pulled away from their boat and waved me into the bank. I nudged the Tracker against the bank and we broke out the lines to anchor the boat. Now came the fun!
Claudia beached the runabout and came to the Tracker with the news that J-14 had requested that we not park here. They further requested that we leave so they would have their privacy. RIGHT! As we were setting the anchors, two men and two dogs started over to talk. After the preliminary niceties, I explained that the Trash Tracker was an Aramark boat associated with the National Park Service and was here to clean the Escalante Arm. I further explained that we were parked a suitable distance from them and that we would not bother them or leave until we were through with our job. They mentioned that, since we would not leave, they would probably be leaving in the morning. I said “Fine, but we won’t bother you at all”. They complimented us on what we were doing and left. After a swim, Charlie barbecued some hamburgers for dinner.
That evening, actually until 1:00 am, we were treated to heavy wild partying, loud music and many screams and cat-calls punctuated with “Trash Tracker Sucks”, etc. I didn’t sleep too well as I was worried about a sabotage party. It didn’t materialize, but I still had some symptoms of sleep deprivation the next day.
We left for work about 8:00 or so with no one stirring on J-14 to say “Goodbye” to us. I felt slighted! We entered the Escalante and said hello once again to Rabbit Rock.
As we motored around the various inlets and bays,
Beautiful, huh?
Charlie spotted a hole in the side rock wall that went completely through to the top. We immediately christened it “Charlie’s Arch Hole” but then also immediately shortened it to “Charlie’s A (for “arch”) -hole”. We also found a nesting Blue Heron with two good-sized chicks in the nest.
After a full day of Trash-Tracking, we returned to home base and, lo and behold, J-14 had departed! We all gave a rousing cheer and rushed to pour a round of double-toddies to celebrate their absence. We slept VERY well that night.
Day 3 found us cleaning Indian Creek, Clear Creek, Davis Gulch and Fiftymile Canyon, named so because it is fifty miles from Escalante. The name has nothing to do with its length.
My eagle eyes picked out an old fire pit amongst the rocks in Indian Creek and I nosed the Eliminator against the bank.
The volunteers charged out of the boat. This was one of the most vile fire pits we have ever run into. We removed two full bags of cans, paper plates and other assorted trash. Emotions were high! High fives around!
When we got to La Gorce Arch in Davis Gulch,
we were hailed by a power boater anchored against the shore. One of his outdrives (the propeller system of his power plant) had somehow lost hydraulic fluid and would not drop into running position. We didn’t have any hydraulic fluid but did have a quart of two-cycle oil for our outboard. Relying on my vast (or is it half-vast?) knowledge of hydraulics, I suggested that he fill the hydraulic reservoir with the two-cycle oil. After all, oil is oil…right? At worst, he will just have to get the reservoir pumped out and flushed when he got home. We sold him a quart of oil and he refilled the reservoir. After a few seconds of pumping, the fluid lines recharged and the outdrive dropped into position. Success! Score one for the Trash Tracker! We waved goodbye and headed for the arch.
We immediately found a plastic raft but no body. Charlie speculated that it might have held a bikini-clad young lady and that we should proceed slowly so as not to miss her. Idling along at dead slow, we soon came across the bikini-clad young lady. She was probably about five years old and was with her mother, father and a small group. We returned the float to them and picked up their trash because they had cleaned the area when they arrived at the campsite. We continued to the end of Davis
Moqui steps (above)
and found several bags of trash floating in the water and on the shores.
Cleanup here took slightly longer than usual because I had to be very careful as I maneuvered the boat around a topless 35-ish young lady on a plastic float. She later waved at me and smiled, obviously grateful at my expertise in maneuvering the Eliminator so as not to disturb her or accidentally tip her into the water. I also noted that the volunteer ladies picked up far more trash than Charlie did. I did have my camera out as I maneuvered the boat, as is usual, to document the volunteers picking up the trash. I’m going to check those pictures later…VERY, VERY carefully!
Day 4 started with a run down to Rainbow Bridge and Dangling Rope for fuel. I had already refueled the Eliminator with the spare 15-gallons we carry but the fuel gauge was now down to one-quarter and we needed to refuel again. As we were nearing The Eye of the Needle Arch
(The "eye" is to the left.)
The picture above is called "The schooner" - it looks like an old sailing ship.
(at least that’s what I call it), a N.P.S. ranger boat passed us. On board were Chuck Smith and Amanda. Claudia and I have known Chuck from the past six Adventure Caravans trips to the bridge. Chuck is probably the most knowledgeable and enthusiastic ranger I have ever run into. He gave the volunteers an outstanding presentation.
Dinosaur track at Rainbow Bridge
When the first boatload of travelers from Wahweap arrived on the morning tour boat, he introduced all of us to them and launched into a dissertation of the Trash Tracker program, punctuated with many “Thank you’s” for the work we were doing. It felt good!
After the boat people left, Chuck took us underneath the arch to some plaques affixed to the rock walls.
I had never been underneath the arch before. In fact, I thought it was illegal and against Indian law because the bridge is a sacred site. It was a chilling and amazing experience! Claudia even got goosebumps.
We returned to the runabout and headed for Dangling Rope
for fuel and soft-serve ice cream. What? You think we would not go to DR and NOT get some soft-serve? Silly you! I filled the runabout and the three fuel cans we carried for the Eliminator and we headed back to our (now) quiet anchorage.
Refueled and recharged, we pulled the anchor lines and headed for Iceberg Canyon.
After several hours of cleaning the side canyons, we called it “quits” for the day and went for a swim. Most of the evening was spent on the top deck while we were bathed by the light of a full moon. We also were bathed by lots of bugs and bats. The bats were diving right between us, over us and almost under us. They were everywhere…and close…VERY close. We also saw the International Space Station cruise by on a northerly orbit. It was huge and moving very fast. I had never seen the space station before so this was really exciting for me. The bats finally claimed the top deck for their own and we all retreated to the main cabin. It was now time for bed.
We had finished cleaning the Escalante Arm and were set to move back uplake. To celebrate, Charlie made us all a delicious “kitchen sink” scramlet,
a sort of cross between scrambled eggs and an omelet with everything but the kitchen sink in it. With full tummies, we packed up and headed for our next stop.
As we passed Slick Rock Canyon, I dropped Claudia and the volunteers off in the runabout to “trash track” while Gizmo and I circled at the entrance. After an hour or so, they returned and we again headed uplake to The Rincon. Our original intent was to stop at Lake Canyon, but, since we had cleaned it on a previous trip, we continued on to Halls Creek Bay to finish cleaning it. If you remember, we were chased out of Halls Creek by 70 Mph winds last week and had a small section of the bay left to clean.
After cleaning Halls, we came back for a swim. We had been swimming every day of the trip and today was especially relaxing as the temperature was now near 100 if not slightly over. When I say “we” went swimming, I meant everyone but Claudia. She hasn’t even set her big toe in the water yet. Even Gizmo has been in every day. He’s funny when it comes to the water. He somewhat protests when I grab his life jacket, but goes along with being in the water. However, when he’s on his leash for a walk, he runs right into the lake up to his chest. Go figure! However, today, he would have nothing to do with going for a swim. As soon as I reached for his life jacket, he streaked for the water jug and hid under the stool it was sitting on. He got so far back that he was also partially under the settee. I gave up and hit the water. When I returned, I was severely chastised by Claudia for traumatizing the dog. Dinner that night included a delicious fresh fruit plate that Claudia prepared. As a special treat, she included a very fresh and delicious naval orange that we found floating in the lake today. I believe that is called “improvisation”.
Tuesday, our final day, started with another of Charlie’s now famous “scramlets”. After breakfast, we were treated to a poem that Nancy had been writing. She documented all the highlights of the trip and many references drew hearty laughs and a few tears. (I will publish it later when I get a printed copy from her) We then cleaned up, pulled the anchors and headed for the dock. We pumped and washed all boats after offloading the trash from the Eliminator. Our total count was just under1,400 pounds of trash removed from the lake. Claudia, Gizmo and I now have an eight-day-off stretch to contend with. Somehow, I think we shall prevail!
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