After an unusual summer season because of Jan’s broken toe, when camping and hiking were not in order, it was nice to return to normal summer activities in early September. Dave and Jan planned to camp at a favorite campground at Navajo Lake on the Markagunt Plateau twenty five miles east along Highway 14. The internet indicated that all campgrounds were open, but most were closed after Labor Day, so Plan B was to camp at Duck Creek Campground – the only forest service camp still open in the area.

The campsite chosen was ideally located on a nice meadow where some deer were immediately seen grazing (not pictures) and the surrounding forest provided a very attractive setting.

On Friday morning Dave and Jan drove a few miles to take a hike on a portion of the 31 mile long Virgin River Rim Trail which they had not hiked before. It was a good trail for a test of Jan’s foot – where the broken bone has healed, but there is still some swelling, which the doctor says is normal.

The trail climbed steadily for most of a mile before leveling out as many parts of the Rim Trail do.

As the trail sign promised, there were nice views in the direction of Zion National Park along the path.

There were some very interesting examples of complex root systems and some twisted Aspen tree configurations to be seen at various places along the trail.

As the trail sign also predicted, there were some nice displays of the red rocks which are characteristic of the area and frequently visible along the Virgin River Rim Trail.

At noon a fallen Pine tree log provided suitable seating in a pleasant meadow to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Jan’s foot managed the hike of around five or six miles very well. It was very pleasant to get back to camping and hiking, something Dave and Jan have enjoyed doing each summer for much of the time they have lived in the high desert and mountain country of Southwest Utah. Their hikes often bring to mind the words of a familiar chorus which quotes the Psalmist David in Psalm 8:1 and 9: “O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!”