Jekyll 2026-05-12T08:19:51-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/feed.xml Games, Technology, and Other Stuff <p>When I started my solo drive to FL then NY from CA I mentioned that Julie flew back to NY to help her dad the day before I left. She was able to be with him in his final week as he <a href="https://hpsmithandsonfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1848/Gerald-Saxton/obituary.html#tribute-start">passed at the end of April</a>.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/four-generations-of-saxton-brooks.jpg" alt="Four generations of Saxton-Brooks" width="1000px" /> <em>Four generations of Saxton-Brooks</em></p> <p>I knew Jerry from shortly before Julie and I married, so over 35 years. He is inextricably linked to Keuka Lake in my mind, and in our sons’. In 1992 after getting stationed at Wright-Patterson AFB Julie and I took a late spring drive to the lake for my first visit. Jerry took me out on the <a href="https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2022/08/07/rip-jifaroo">family Flying Dutchman</a> in cold water and cold air for my first sail. I can’t say I enjoyed it much but it was the start of a love for sailing.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/around-the-campfire-with-jerry-julie-and-matthew.jpg" alt="Around the campfire with Jerry, Julie, and Matthew" width="1000px" /> <em>Around the campfire with Jerry, Julie, and Matthew</em></p> <p>Once Matthew started at West Point in 2015 we began spending our summers at the lake. So my time with Jerry pivoted from maybe-a-week-a-year to living with him at the cottages for at least two months every summer.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/projects-with-jerry.jpg" alt="Projects with Jerry" width="1000px" /> <em>Projects with Jerry</em></p> <p>I fell in love with the pace and the feeling of mostly living outdoors. And I became a caretaker and owner, engaging in my own maintenance and improvement projects under the tutelage of Jerry. There was never a situation that came up where he couldn’t add his experience and wisdom. Yet he was bold with new ideas and welcoming of change. We added a heat pump A/C to his primary living cottage. I built elevated garden beds. We added an outdoor shower. And he worked on projects all through his last summer at Keuka.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/our-final-golf-outing-with-jerry.jpg" alt="Our final golf outing with Jerry" width="1000px" /> <em>Our final golf outing with Jerry</em></p> <p>One non-obvious thing about Jerry and me: I spent far more time with him in my adult years than I did with my own dad. At the end of every summer when we would all part ways again, he was effusive in his gratitude to Julie and me, generous with his hugs, and clearly at peace with where his life had taken him. Last summer I was surprised when he told me he wanted to get out on the golf course again - not to play, but to just drive the cart and be with family. We did this twice - once with Julie and Judy, and another with his sons Dave and Mike and with our sons Jacob and Matthew. It was a special treat to spend a day like this and enjoy lunch after in the clubhouse.</p> <p>Lastly, we are all grateful that he had two different summer visits by his great-grandson Rory. While it is sad to think that Rory won’t remember him, Jerry was able to meet and enjoy him all while appreciating what a great father his grandson Jacob is and will be.</p> 2026-05-12T08:16:44-04:00 2026-05-12T08:16:44-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/05/12/gerald-saxton-1941-2026 Chris Brooks

<p>When I started my solo drive to FL then NY from CA I mentioned that Julie flew back to NY to help her dad the day before I left. She was able to be with him in his final week as he <a href="https://hpsmithandsonfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/1848/Gerald-Saxton/obituary.html#tribute-start">passed at the end of April</a>.</p>

<p>Discussed on May 9, 2026. Picked by Chris.</p> <hr /> <h2 id="song-ratings">Song Ratings</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>#</th> <th>Song</th> <th>Jim</th> <th>Chris</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Lust for Life</td> <td>Starter</td> <td>Starter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Sixteen</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Some Weird Sin</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>The Passenger</td> <td>Bench</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Tonight</td> <td>—</td> <td>Bench</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Success</td> <td>Cut</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>Turn Blue</td> <td>—</td> <td>Cut</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8</td> <td>Neighborhood Threat</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9</td> <td>Fall in Love With Me</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>Legend:</strong> Starter = would start a playlist</td> <td>Bench = solid</td> <td>Cut = would skip</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr /> <h2 id="jims-notes">Jim’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>Can definitely hear the Bowie influence on the album. Iggy sounds like Bowie on Tonight even.</li> <li>I didn’t care for the call and response approach to Success where the response was almost always a word for word recitation of the call.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2 id="chriss-notes">Chris’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>This album was incredible. I knew about the Iggy Pop / David Bowie collaboration during their time in Berlin but did not expect the Bowie feel to be so omnipresent here.</li> <li>I like this original version of “Tonight” more than Bowie’s 1984 version. Related: didn’t know “China Girl” was also a cover of a Bowie/Pop collab.</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCqrLKqRHzY&amp;list=RDqCqrLKqRHzY">Great live performance</a></li> </ul> 2026-05-09T11:20:14-04:00 2026-05-09T11:20:14-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/05/09/iggy-pop-lust-for-life/ Chris Brooks

<p>Discussed on May 9, 2026. Picked by Chris.</p> <hr /> <h2 id="song-ratings">Song Ratings</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>#</th> <th>Song</th> <th>Jim</th> <th>Chris</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Lust for Life</td> <td>Starter</td> <td>Starter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Sixteen</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Some Weird Sin</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>The Passenger</td> <td>Bench</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Tonight</td> <td>—</td> <td>Bench</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Success</td> <td>Cut</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>Turn Blue</td> <td>—</td> <td>Cut</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8</td> <td>Neighborhood Threat</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9</td> <td>Fall in Love With Me</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>Legend:</strong> Starter = would start a playlist</td> <td>Bench = solid</td> <td>Cut = would skip</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr /> <h2 id="jims-notes">Jim’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>Can definitely hear the Bowie influence on the album. Iggy sounds like Bowie on Tonight even.</li> <li>I didn’t care for the call and response approach to Success where the response was almost always a word for word recitation of the call.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2 id="chriss-notes">Chris’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>This album was incredible. I knew about the Iggy Pop / David Bowie collaboration during their time in Berlin but did not expect the Bowie feel to be so omnipresent here.</li> <li>I like this original version of “Tonight” more than Bowie’s 1984 version. Related: didn’t know “China Girl” was also a cover of a Bowie/Pop collab.</li> <li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCqrLKqRHzY&amp;list=RDqCqrLKqRHzY">Great live performance</a></li> </ul>

<p>A month or two ago I realized our planned drive from Napa to Florida lined up perfectly with Wilco’s gulf coast tour schedule.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/wilco-in-jackson.jpg" alt="Wilco in Jackson" width="1000px" /> <em>Wilco in Jackson</em></p> <p>Sadly new superfan Julie wasn’t with me. She joined me a year earlier in <a href="https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2025/08/10/wilco-welcome-kit">Tallahassee</a> for an amazing show, our second time seeing opening act <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waxahatchee">Waxahatchee</a> (she’s a wee fan of them too).</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/wilco-show-poster-for-jackson.jpg" alt="Wilco show poster for Jackson" width="1000px" /> <em>Wilco show poster for Jackson</em></p> <p>I tried to give away the extra tickets via the Wilco subreddit but the first night in Jackson I had no takers. And a front row seat at that! After a tasty and unhealthy southern meal on the north side of town I parked downtown for an evening with Wilco.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/john-takes-the-helm.jpg" alt="John takes the helm" width="1000px" /> <em>John takes the helm</em></p> <p>The “evening with…” designation means no opening act and two full sets plus an encore of Wilco. Three hours and a chance to roam their vast back catalog. The Jackson show was amazing, including a rare chance to see <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Stirratt?wprov=sfti1">John Stirratt</a> take the guitar and lead vocals for “It’s Just That Simple” from debut album <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A.M._(Wilco_album)">A.M.</a> from over 30 years ago. If you’ve been <a href="https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2004/12/29/music-to-my-ears-html/">reading this blog since I started it over 20 years ago</a> you’ve known for a while that my Wilco love goes way back. John was not yet with predecessor band Uncle Tupelo when I would see them at Cicero’s basement bar near Wash U in St. Louis, joining for the much lauded <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anodyne_(album)?wprov=sfti1">Anodyne</a>.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/wilco-in-mobile.jpg" alt="Wilco in Mobile" width="1000px" /> <em>Wilco in Mobile</em></p> <p>The Mobile show was the next night, and my hope was a divergent setlist similar to what I might see in a Chicago residence or festival. I was a bit disappointed as the <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wilco/2026/thalia-mara-hall-jackson-ms-b4a5d22.html">Jackson</a> and <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/wilco/2026/saenger-theatre-mobile-al-134a5d25.html">Mobile</a> set lists were more alike than different. In hindsight it makes sense: Jeff’s been on a “solo” tour with his family band all winter (Julie and I saw <a href="https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/03/17/jeff-tweedy-in-phoenix">Jeff in Phoenix</a>) and they (1) haven’t been hanging out producing a new album and (2) didn’t have time to do that much different than their last tour.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/chris-and-eddie-outside-the-saenger-theater.jpg" alt="Chris and Eddie outside the Saenger theater" width="1000px" /> <em>Chris and Eddie outside the Saenger theater</em></p> <p>I did find Wilco buddy Eddie who reached out to me before the show to snag the extra ticket. He bought dinner for me at a beer garden next to the theater and we shared our love for the band and history seeing them (and similar acts). Thank you Eddie!</p> 2026-05-07T19:38:34-04:00 2026-05-07T19:38:34-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/05/07/wilco-x2 Chris Brooks

<p>A month or two ago I realized our planned drive from Napa to Florida lined up perfectly with Wilco’s gulf coast tour schedule.</p>

<p>I crossed Texas west to east without getting on an interstate. Didn’t feel slowed down and the enjoyment ratcheted up.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/golf-in-big-sky-electra-tx.jpg" alt="Golf in big sky Electra TX" width="1000px" /> <em>Golf in big sky Electra TX</em></p> <p>My only Texas night was in Electra at <a href="https://www.cityofelectra.com/golf_course/index.php">Crooked Creek Golf Course</a>. The course is a 9 hole track with different tees for a back nine. Completely flat and walkable yet everyone was roaming around in carts. When I checked in to pay the green fees she paused thinking maybe I didn’t owe anything because I was walking. I assured her that I should still pay green fees. The course was fun.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/scissor-tailed-flycatcher.jpg" alt="Scissor-tailed flycatcher" width="1000px" /> <em>Scissor-tailed flycatcher</em></p> <p>An on course highlight was the many observed <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scissor-tailed_flycatcher">scissor tailed flycatchers</a>. A first for me, and fun to find the bird on the cover of <a href="https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/266192/wingspan">Wingspan</a>.</p> <p>I overnighted in the van there after considering pushing further east after golf. Major thunderstorms and a tornado warning near Wichita Falls had me wisely choose to sit tight.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/more-crooked-golf-in-louisiana.jpg" alt="More crooked golf in Louisiana" width="1000px" /> <em>More crooked golf in Louisiana</em></p> <p>My next night was at another crooked course - Crooked Hollow near Shreveport. Fun course that exceeded my expectations, even with a seven-some and six-some playing ahead of me as we raced to finish before sunset.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/05/the-bridges-at-vicksburg-ms.jpg" alt="The bridges at Vicksburg MS" width="1000px" /> <em>The bridges at Vicksburg MS</em></p> <p>I quickly crossed Louisiana and the Mississippi at Vicksburg where I spent some time wandering the civil war battlefield and birding.</p> 2026-05-02T21:58:46-04:00 2026-05-02T21:58:46-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/05/02/texas-and-louisiana Chris Brooks

<p>I crossed Texas west to east without getting on an interstate. Didn’t feel slowed down and the enjoyment ratcheted up.</p>

<p>I flew through Arizona and New Mexico but made some time for golf and some good food.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/hidden-cove-golf.jpg" alt="Hidden Cove golf" width="1000px" /> <em>Hidden Cove golf</em></p> <p>At the end of two miles of washboard dirt road in Holbrook AZ is the <a href="https://holbrookaz.gov/things-to-do/hidden-cove-golf-course/">Hidden Cove Golf Course</a>. Classic small town golf with an honor box inside the wide open clubhouse. The course is well cared for and situated inside a series of red rock ledges. 90 minutes and 9 holes is a great way to break up the drive.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/camping-in-cibola.jpg" alt="Camping in Cibola" width="1000px" /> <em>Camping in Cibola</em></p> <p>I overnighted a few miles off I-40 in Cibola National Forest. Classic high desert environment and… cold! Mid 30s overnight.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/los-altos-muni-golf-in-albuquerque.jpg" alt="Los Altos muni golf in Albuquerque" width="1000px" /> <em>Los Altos muni golf in Albuquerque</em></p> <p>Made my way to my home town from 1982-1984, Albuquerque. I was anxious to move away from there but now I’m always eager to return. Parked at Los Altos golf course where I took two school calls and did some full swing work on the range.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/perea's-new-mexican-restaurant.jpg" alt="Perea's New Mexican restaurant" width="1000px" /> <em>Perea’s New Mexican restaurant</em></p> <p>Lunched at Perea’s for a classic New Mexican lunch: stuffed sopapillas with green chili sauce. Picked up some green chile and pinto beans for the road.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/wine-display-inside-enchantment-vineyards.jpg" alt="Wine display inside Enchantment Vineyards" width="1000px" /> <em>Wine display inside Enchantment Vineyards</em></p> <p>Ended the day going off interstate (always a good move) to Portales and an overnight at <a href="https://enchantmentvineyards.com/">Enchantment Vineyards</a>, a lovely Harvest Host with beer, wine, and on that night a local college steel drum band.</p> 2026-04-26T09:15:28-04:00 2026-04-26T09:15:28-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/26/arizona-and-new-mexico Chris Brooks

<p>I flew through Arizona and New Mexico but made some time for golf and some good food.</p>

<p>I started my eastward journey yesterday morning, sadly without Julie. She flew to NY the night before to help take care of her ailing father.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/dispersed-camping-in-mojave-desert.jpg" alt="Dispersed camping in Mojave desert" width="1000px" /> <em>Dispersed camping in Mojave desert</em></p> <p>It has been a while since I undertook a solo 3,000+ mile journey like this. Maybe 1990 when I left Indiana for Santa Barbara?</p> <p>We pace ourselves these days, usually 5-6 hours of driving. I’m finding I can push a bit further into the evening and still find my way to a remote boondocking site before dark. Maybe 3-4 2-2.5 hour chunks.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/practice-time-in-bakersfield.jpg" alt="Practice time in Bakersfield" width="1000px" /> <em>Practice time in Bakersfield</em></p> <p>I found time to stop at our routine (now) golf course in Bakersfield for an hour of practice.</p> <p>I made a lot of food for the journey - seared venison steak, venison chili, plus leftover biscuits and rolls from the past few weeks.</p> 2026-04-23T22:32:53-04:00 2026-04-23T22:32:53-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/23/on-the-road-again-solo Chris Brooks

<p>I started my eastward journey yesterday morning, sadly without Julie. She flew to NY the night before to help take care of her ailing father.</p>

<p>Discussed on April 19, 2026. Picked by Jim. I forgot to pick my cut! Not even sure what I would have picked.</p> <!--more--> <h2 id="song-ratings">Song Ratings</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>#</th> <th>Song</th> <th>Jim</th> <th>Chris</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Welcome to the Working Week</td> <td>Bench</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Miracle Man</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>No Dancing</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Blame It on Cain</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>Alison</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Sneaky Feelings</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>Watching the Detectives</td> <td>—</td> <td>Starter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8</td> <td>(The Angels Wanna Wear My) Red Shoes</td> <td>Starter</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9</td> <td>Less Than Zero</td> <td>—</td> <td>Bench</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10</td> <td>Mystery Dance</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11</td> <td>Pay It Back</td> <td>Cut</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>12</td> <td>I’m Not Angry</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>13</td> <td>Waiting for the End of the World</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>Legend:</strong> Starter = would start a playlist</td> <td>Bench = solid</td> <td>Cut = would skip</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr /> <h2 id="jims-notes">Jim’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>I love albums with a lo-fi, garage kind of sound. Even with all the warts, they are so much more fun to listen to than over produced and highly polished albums.</li> <li>It’s not the Cars, but this album rocks on the road.</li> <li>Crazy that none of the singles (Less Than Zero, Alison, Red Shoes) charted.</li> <li>Watching the Detectives added to the US release as the last song on side 1 (end of album in reissues).</li> <li>Huey Lewis was a member of the backing band, Clover, but did not play on the album. Per Huey, he was on vacation having toured constantly since 1970.</li> <li>Generally considered his second best album after This Year’s Model, the follow up to My Aim Is True. I think I like this better.</li> <li>Nominated for Best New Artist Grammy but lost to A Taste of Honey. Their single, Boogie Oogie Oogie, peaked at number 1 on US charts. I did not recognize it when I gave it a listen.</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2 id="chriss-notes">Chris’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>Didn’t know Nick Lowe produced!</li> <li>Just an amazing pop album, with crossovers into rockabilly and Buddy Holly 50s rock</li> <li>I didn’t list Alison because it is an automatic timeless starter</li> <li>Was surprised to see Detectives at the end of the album in Apple Music - UK release I think?</li> </ul> 2026-04-19T11:30:53-04:00 2026-04-19T11:30:53-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/19/elvis-costello-my-aim-is-true/ Chris Brooks

<p>Discussed on April 19, 2026. Picked by Jim. I forgot to pick my cut! Not even sure what I would have picked.</p>

<p>Julie and I joined Jim and Mike for 5 days of backpacking in Cedar Mesa in April 2026.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/backpacking-route.png" alt="Our route through Grand Gulch" width="1000px" /> <em>Our route through Grand Gulch</em></p> <h2 id="logistics">Logistics</h2> <ul> <li>We booked our <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/permits/445861">backpacking permits via rec.gov in Bears Ears National Monument</a>. You don’t need to specify where you are camping, just where and when you will enter and exit. <ul> <li>We also booked a visit to <a href="https://www.recreation.gov/permits/4251914">Moon House</a> the day before we started the trip.</li> </ul> </li> <li>Given our route was a one-way path, we had to drop a car (Jim and Mike’s) at Kane Gulch ranger station then pile into our van and drive to the trailhead. We did that the night before and camped at the trailhead. This is allowed without a permit and the Collin parking area is well suited for this.</li> <li>The road to Collin is about 45 minutes from Kane Gulch ranger station, 25 minutes of that being off-road with some rocky ledge climbs. It wasn’t hard but it isn’t trivial either.</li> <li>Our biggest concern going in was water supply so we each carried 5-6 liters of water at the start. It rained most of the first night and following morning so water was never really an issue, other than forcing us to bushwhack most of day 2 because of the flooded gulch. Every night we were able to camp near a water supply and use boiled, untreated water for cooking.</li> </ul> <h2 id="day-by-day-reports">Day by Day Reports</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/blog/2026/04/01/day-1-collins-trailhead-to-big-pour-off-ruins">Day 1 - Collins Trailhead to Big Pour Off Ruins</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/2026/04/01/day-2-big-pour-off-ruin-to-cow-tank-canyon">Day 2 - Big Pour Off Ruin to Cow Tank Canyon</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/2026/04/03/day-3-cow-canyon-to-bullet-junction">Day 3 - Cow Canyon to Bullet Junction</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/2026/04/04/day-4-bullet-junction-to-turkey-pen">Day 4 - Bullet junction to Turkey Pen</a></li> <li><a href="/blog/2026/04/05/day-5-leaving-grand-gulch">Day 5 - Leaving Grand Gulch</a></li> </ul> <h2 id="suggestions">Suggestions</h2> <ul> <li>Side trips are the norm in Cedar Mesa. You’ll be scanning the canyon walls continually for ruins and rock art, often dropping your packs to go explore. So if your normal pace is 2 miles per hour when backpacking, factor in more stops and diversion than you would normally plan for. You might only make a pace of 1 mile per hour.</li> <li>Likewise, weather and conditions can change your routing significantly. These trails are not maintained and usually not marked. You’ll follow deer trails and human trails; sometimes they are the same.</li> <li>Bring binoculars to scan the canyon walls. And look for birds.</li> <li><a href="https://kelseyguidebooks.com/non-technical-canyon-hiking-guide-to-the-colorado-plateau/">Purchase Kelsey’s book</a> for accurate but imprecise guides to finding the cool stuff in Cedar Mesa (and surrounding areas).</li> </ul> 2026-04-09T14:03:38-04:00 2026-04-09T14:03:38-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/09/backpacking-grand-gulch Chris Brooks

<p>Julie and I joined Jim and Mike for 5 days of backpacking in Cedar Mesa in April 2026.</p>

<p>We had made enough progress in Friday that our Saturday hike should be short enough to be back at our vehicle by noon.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/part-of-turkey-pen-ruin-area.jpg" alt="Part of Turkey Pen ruin area" width="1000px" /> <em>Part of Turkey Pen ruin area</em></p> <p>Our camp was by Turkey Pen ruin. Eight years ago we could wander the area freely and visit the turkey pen, but sadly in 2022 the BLM had to close off the entire area because of erosion from foot traffic. Given this is the closest ruin to the ranger station, I suspect folks were also getting too handsy.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/hiking-through-a-mini-slot-canyon.jpg" alt="Hiking through a mini slot canyon" width="1000px" /> <em>Hiking through a mini slot canyon</em></p> <p>The hike out of the canyon was a bit more challenging than I remembered (we went opposite way last time) but still beautiful. Rock scrambling to climb over ledge pour offs.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/back-at-the-trailhead.jpg" alt="Back at the trailhead" width="1000px" /> <em>Back at the trailhead</em></p> <p>At about 11:20 we made it back to the ranger station. Mike’s rental car awaited us there. After giving our reports to the rangers there, we drove back to the trailhead (45 minutes or so with plenty of offroading) to fetch the van. While navigating a steep rock climb in the van coming out from the trailhead area I had to back up a bit to put the van into 4wd low and bumped the back left into the sandy bank. We didn’t notice until 25 minutes later that we had snagged off a piece of the black trim in the rear left panel. So an extra 50 minutes of driving for Julie and me to retrieve and re-attach.</p> <p>Hotel, laundry, burgers, and beer awaited us in Green River. An amazing and challenging adventure.</p> 2026-04-05T13:23:07-04:00 2026-04-05T13:23:07-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/05/day-5-leaving-grand-gulch Chris Brooks

<p>We had made enough progress in Friday that our Saturday hike should be short enough to be back at our vehicle by noon.</p>

<p>Day 4 was a grind! But still awesome. We had a stretch goal of about 10 miles and we made it to about 9, largely because we had to continue until we found water.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/sheiks-canyon.jpg" alt="Sheiks Canyon" width="1000px" /> <em>Sheiks Canyon</em></p> <p>It was a beautiful morning and in short order we reach Sheiks canyon where we dropped packs to head up a wee bit to find Green Mask ruin.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/green-mask.jpg" alt="Green Mask" width="1000px" /> <em>Green Mask</em></p> <p><a href="/blog/2018/04/08/pictographs-at-green-mask-ruin-in-sheiks-canyon/">Julie and I were last here about 8 years ago</a> but visiting is still so worth it.</p> <p>The site has a massive panel of rock art, with a huge potential timespan of creation (3,000-8,000 years).</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/mike-and-green-mask.jpg" alt="Mike and Green Mask" width="1000px" /> <em>Mike and Green Mask</em></p> <p>The mask isn’t that big as you can see from this photo. It is easy to miss as you gaze through the larger and often more abstract pictographs.</p> <p>Not much more along the way to camp other than a perfect watering hole and spot for lunch. The afternoon became tedious as the air warmed and the gully dried out to deep sand.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/rock-art-in-grand-gulch.jpg" alt="Rock art in Grand Gulch" width="1000px" /> <em>Rock art in Grand Gulch</em></p> <p>We had a big surprise an amphitheater before Turkey Pen ruins: a fantastic panel of petroglyphs and pictographs. Don’t have a name for it!</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/trying-out-the-water-at-camp.jpg" alt="Trying out the water at camp" width="1000px" /> <em>Trying out the water at camp</em></p> <p>We camped at the only water for miles just below Turkey Pen. The water was… awful. Strong sulfur odor and lots of stuff floating. It was fine for cooking and coffee but nobody wanted to drink it straight after filtering.</p> 2026-04-04T20:29:37-04:00 2026-04-04T20:29:37-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/04/day-4-bullet-junction-to-turkey-pen Chris Brooks

<p>Day 4 was a grind! But still awesome. We had a stretch goal of about 10 miles and we made it to about 9, largely because we had to continue until we found water.</p>

<p>An easier day of trail finding and hiking got us to Bullet Canyon early enough to setup camp, regroup, and head up Bullet to see some amazing ruins.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/breaking-camp.jpg" alt="Breaking camp" width="1000px" /> <em>Breaking camp</em></p> <p>Julie and I broke camp at about 9am, seeking some good sunshine to warm up, solar charge, and wait for Jim and Mike. There aren’t many ruins along this segment, and a side quest to Green House Canyon failed to reveal anything. We think now that we didn’t get in deep enough.</p> <p>After about 8 miles of easy hiking we met the junction of Kane Gulch and Bullet Canyon, finding a perfect campsite with water still flowing out of Kane to make a nice watering hole. This area was almost completely dry just two days prior.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/hiking-up-bullet-canyon.jpg" alt="Hiking up Bullet Canyon" width="1000px" /> <em>Hiking up Bullet Canyon</em></p> <p>After setting up camp we grabbed waters, binoculars, and Julie’s awesome detachable day pack to venture up about 2.5 miles into Bullet.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/standing-near-jailhouse-ruin.jpg" alt="Standing near Jailhouse ruin" width="1000px" /> <em>Standing near Jailhouse ruin</em></p> <p>First stop was Jailhouse ruin, named for the jail style wooden cross in one of the room windows. Julie and I were here about 8 years ago but it felt like a new experience.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/jim-and-mike-in-perfect-kiva.jpg" alt="Jim and Mike in Perfect Kiva" width="1000px" /> <em>Jim and Mike in Perfect Kiva</em></p> <p>We then wandered the slick rock around the point to the east to find Perfect Kiva. This is one of the few underground kivas in the wild that you can still climb down into and experience. The ladder is a replica, with the original being in the Edge of the Cedars museum in Blanding.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/hiking-back-down-bullet.jpg" alt="Hiking back down Bullet" width="1000px" /> <em>Hiking back down Bullet</em></p> <p>The hike back was spectacular with the sun descending in front of us and the brilliant greens from the recent rainfall adding color contrast to the desert landscape.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/feet-relief.jpg" alt="Feet relief" width="1000px" /> <em>Feet relief</em></p> <p>Back at camp we all soaked our feet in the watering hole, had more good food for dinner, shared our roses, thorns, and buds, and retired to tents by 8pm.</p> 2026-04-03T11:16:25-04:00 2026-04-03T11:16:25-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/03/day-3-cow-canyon-to-bullet-junction Chris Brooks

<p>An easier day of trail finding and hiking got us to Bullet Canyon early enough to setup camp, regroup, and head up Bullet to see some amazing ruins.</p>

<p>What a rough day - the rainstorm through the night and morning turned the Grand Gulch wash into a proper running creek. Problem is, the wash is usually the trail.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/hitting-the-trail-at-big-pour-off.jpg" alt="Hitting the trail at Big Pour Off" width="1000px" /> <em>Hitting the trail at Big Pour Off</em></p> <p>Our tent was nice and soaked in the morning but we stayed dry. Hardly a drop fell on Mike and Jim’s tents thanks to their cliff shelter. We hit the trail at about 9:30am.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/we-meet-the-flood-first-of-two-encounters.jpg" alt="We meet the flood - first of two encounters" width="1000px" /> <em>We meet the flood - first of two encounters</em></p> <p>About an hour into hiking the surprisingly dry river bed we met the flood - water coming down canyon but not aggressively so. This changed our hiking scheme and would make it a long day.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/julie-crossing-the-stream.jpg" alt="Julie crossing the stream" width="1000px" /> <em>Julie crossing the stream</em></p> <p>When we could traverse across plateaus between bends in the river we did, trying to follow game trails. Often we had to hug the river bank, crossing back and forth and improvising fords by tossing crossing rocks in.</p> <p>Some of the plateaus were just impassable with dense dried out junipers. We had multiple sand collapses as we climbed or descended the soggy river banks.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/big-man-panel.jpg" alt="Big Man panel" width="1000px" /> <em>Big Man panel</em></p> <p>But the payoffs were incredible! Sometimes finding higher ground meant finding a surprise midden with ancient pottery sherds to examine. We also hit most of our ruin and rock art finding goals.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/big-ruin-and-pictographs.jpg" alt="Big ruin and pictographs" width="1000px" /> <em>Big ruin and pictographs</em></p> <p>Our final find was a large ruin with a huge set of pictographs. The views out to the amphitheater with green cottonwoods below made the climb worthwhile.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/our-camp-for-night-two.jpg" alt="Our camp for night two" width="1000px" /> <em>Our camp for night two</em></p> <p>We ended our day about a mile short of goal, having likely walked two extra miles navigating the flood. Our camp is at the entry of Cow Tank canyon to Grand Gulch. Tomorrow we aim for Bullet Canyon n</p> 2026-04-01T21:27:43-04:00 2026-04-01T21:27:43-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/01/day-2-big-pour-off-ruin-to-cow-tank-canyon Chris Brooks

<p>What a rough day - the rainstorm through the night and morning turned the Grand Gulch wash into a proper running creek. Problem is, the wash is usually the trail.</p>

<p>After a night of van and tent camping at the trailhead we began our five day backpacking journey up Grand Gulch.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/at-the-trailhead.jpg" alt="At the trailhead" width="1000px" /> <em>At the trailhead</em></p> <p>This is Mike’s first big backpacking journey, and the first one in a long time for Jim. Lots of consternation about weather and water before we took down the Starlink and hit the trail.</p> <p>Two main concerns without knowable answers: will we find enough water to make the full journey? And what impact will the pending half to 1” of rain on our second day have?</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/cowboy-camp.jpg" alt="Cowboy camp" width="1000px" /> <em>Cowboy camp</em></p> <p>As we fell into the Collins Canyon we found the “cowboy camp”, a cool collection of (likely) early 20th century artifacts.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/bannister-ruin.jpg" alt="Bannister ruin" width="1000px" /> <em>Bannister ruin</em></p> <p>The big highlight of any hike in Cedar Mesa is finding old ruins and rock art. Our first big stop was bannister ruins, including an unusual above ground kiva.</p> <p>We past another set of backpackers in this area, heading out to our starting point. This is the usual way of doing this trek - Kane to Collins. They gave us some intel on water ahead of us. The higher we will get the less ample pools we will find.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/pictographs-in-deer-canyon.jpg" alt="Pictographs in Deer Canyon" width="1000px" /> <em>Pictographs in Deer Canyon</em></p> <p>In Deer Canyon we had to scramble up the side canyon and scout for more ruins as well as a path to get to them. We found both, with the big payoff some beautiful pictograph drawings.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/julie-soaking-feet.jpg" alt="Julie soaking feet" width="1000px" /> <em>Julie soaking feet</em></p> <p>After about 9 miles we made camp near ruins at Big Pour Off, a great spot with sheltered overhang cliffs and a perfect pool for collecting cooking water and soaking our feet.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/04/dinner-at-big-pour-off-camp.jpg" alt="Dinner at Big Pour Off camp" width="1000px" /> <em>Dinner at Big Pour Off camp</em></p> <p>Dinner about 6pm and in the tents by 7:30 - “backpacker’s midnight.” Rain coming tonight - Jim and Mike have their tents nestled under the overhangs while Julie and I are in the open meadow. Will see what tomorrow brings.</p> 2026-04-01T09:44:00-04:00 2026-04-01T09:44:00-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/04/01/day-1-collins-trailhead-to-big-pour-off-ruins Chris Brooks

<p>After a night of van and tent camping at the trailhead we began our five day backpacking journey up Grand Gulch.</p>

<p>Our final campground stay before backpacking Cedar Mesa was at Canyonlands Needles district. Remote and awesome.</p> <!--more--> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/03/landscape-during-day-1-hike.jpg" alt="Landscape during day 1 hike" width="1000px" /> <em>Landscape during day 1 hike</em></p> <p>We did an aggressive hike the first full day, Wooden Shoe Canyon to Lost Canyon, about 10 miles with some heat. Very worth it and a good warmup for backpacking</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/03/traversing-the-slick-rock.jpg" alt="Traversing the slick rock" width="1000px" /> <em>Traversing the slick rock</em></p> <p>The hike is a mix of going up riparian gullies with canyon and slick rock transitions. Beautiful views and some new birds for me: juniper titmouse and black-throated gray warbler.</p> <p><img src="https://chrisbrooks.org/assets/2026/03/ussie-in-the-slot.jpg" alt="Ussie in the slot" width="1000px" /> <em>Ussie in the slot</em></p> <p>We took it relatively easy on day two, hiking the Chesler Park view out and back for about 6 miles. Little slot canyon was fun. More amazing views.</p> <p>I’m glad I brought my mini Taylor guitar - lots of fellowship playing and singing around the campfire after dinner. We bade farewell to Jim and Jill.</p> 2026-03-31T10:18:32-04:00 2026-03-31T10:18:32-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/03/31/canyonlands-needles Chris Brooks

<p>Our final campground stay before backpacking Cedar Mesa was at Canyonlands Needles district. Remote and awesome.</p>

<p>While camping together in Canyonlands / Needles, Jim and I discussed our 3rd (so far) pick from 1977: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_to_Russia"><em>Rocket to Russia</em></a> by Ramones.</p> <!--more--> <h2 id="song-ratings">Song Ratings</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>#</th> <th>Song</th> <th>Jim</th> <th>Chris</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>1</td> <td>Cretin Hop</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>2</td> <td>Rockaway Beach</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>3</td> <td>Here Today, Gone Tomorrow</td> <td>—</td> <td>Starter</td> </tr> <tr> <td>4</td> <td>Locket Love</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>5</td> <td>I Don’t Care</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>6</td> <td>Sheena Is a Punk Rocker</td> <td>Starter</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>7</td> <td>We’re a Happy Family</td> <td>Bench</td> <td>Cut</td> </tr> <tr> <td>8</td> <td>Teenage Lobotomy</td> <td>—</td> <td>Bench</td> </tr> <tr> <td>9</td> <td>Do You Wanna Dance?</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>10</td> <td>I Wanna Be Well</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>11</td> <td>I Can’t Give You Anything</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>12</td> <td>Ramona</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>13</td> <td>Surfin’ Bird</td> <td>Cut</td> <td>—</td> </tr> <tr> <td>14</td> <td>Why Is It Always This Way?</td> <td>—</td> <td>—</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <table> <tbody> <tr> <td><strong>Legend:</strong> Starter = would start a playlist</td> <td>Bench = solid</td> <td>Cut = would skip</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <hr /> <h2 id="jims-notes">Jim’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>You kinda wonder how things would’ve turned out if the Sex Pistols hadn’t come along with their nasty brand of punk. Would punk have had a bigger impact into the ’80s? Certainly the punk revival of the mid-90s with Green Day suggests it could’ve been a bigger deal.</li> <li>The covers are good although I don’t believe Surfin’ Bird really fits in with the rest of the album. On the other hand, Do You Wanna Dance? sounds like a happy Ramones song!</li> <li>Blitzkrieg Bop, I Wanna Be Sedated and Sheena Is a Punk Rocker are my 3 favorite Ramones songs so my starter isn’t all that surprising.</li> <li>The middle of the album from Sheena Is a Punk Rocker to Ramona is a great run of tunes.</li> <li>And the best thing about a Ramones album is they run about 30 minutes!</li> </ul> <hr /> <h2 id="chriss-notes">Chris’s Notes</h2> <ul> <li>Pure fun. I want to play in a band that plays songs like this.</li> <li>I’m a sucker for covers</li> <li>“Here Today, Gone Tomorrow” sounds like a big influence on future emo and mood rock</li> <li>Zeitgeist was DDT??</li> <li>Ramona almost made the bench</li> </ul> 2026-03-30T22:00:33-04:00 2026-03-30T22:00:33-04:00 https://chrisbrooks.org/blog/2026/03/31/ramones-rocket-to-russia/ Chris Brooks

<p>While camping together in Canyonlands / Needles, Jim and I discussed our 3rd (so far) pick from 1977: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rocket_to_Russia"><em>Rocket to Russia</em></a> by Ramones.</p>