Scenery Isn't Everything, or What Man Will Do

"Wow! Lots of pictures of canyons. And they're pretty. But did you see anything else?"

Glad you asked! Yes, we did. When we weren't busy touring the big parks, we would take a day and check out the local, lesser known sites. Some were interesting. Some were uplifting. Some were fun.

We found places that championed the human spirit's imagination and perseverance.

Some showed the lengths pioneers in the wilderness would go to build a life.

Brigham Young sent missionaries to specific places to see if they could be developed into liveable communities. One visitor's center gave a good idea of what settlers had to do to grow food. Ridding the land they lived on of tough sagebrush was the first task. When I look at this, knowing they had axes and shovels, one word comes to mind. Rototiller!

In the community of Tropic, Utah, clearing the land was just one challenge. The climate was very mild compared to other parts of Utah, hence the name! However, while the weather was favorable for farming, water was at a premium. The Paria River frequently ran dry so they used horses to pull Water Lizards, 50 gallon barrels of water on skids, from a river miles away, several times a week for each family.

Water Lizard

Using hand tools, they dug a canal 13 miles from the Seveir River to the settlement. It took 2 years. What amazing perseverance! Today the community of Tropic is still going, thanks to those pioneers.

In Pipe Spring, Brigham Young sent several men out to try and tame the land at the base of the Vermilion Cliffs.  A spring had long supported nomadic Indians, wildlife and travelers through that arid and barren land. The Mormon settlers set up a ranching operation, and had some success. During the Indian Wars in the late 1860's they were raided. They built a fort over the spring, and a pipe connected the spring to a pond, giving the ranch it's name. Anson Perry Winsor was hired to operate the ranch and maintain the fort, which was nicknamed Winsor Castle.

Winsor Castle

Water was piped from the 'castle' to a small pond. 

Today the site includes Winsor Castle and two smaller buildings. A small corral with a couple of horses, a barn yard with a longhorn steer and some chickens are also on the property.

And bunnies. I saw lots of bunnies!

At one point it was recognized that there would never be enough water to support a village. Today, the land is part of the Kaibab Reservation and the site is jointly maintained by the National Park Service and the Kaibab Paiute Tribe as an example of a pioneer settlement in a remote part of Utah.

Survival is a strong human trait. However, some people are just as concerned about the survival of animals. My next story shows the lengths modern pioneers will go to rescue a life.

While we were in Kanab, we visited Best Friends Animal Sanctuary. They are a nationally known animal rescue organization with a no-kill policy. Best Friends started with a few people in the 80's who were dedicated to providing care for abandoned animals. Through benefactors, hard work, volunteers and donations they have created a 3,000 acre oasis in a canyon for unwanted animals.

They rescue hard luck, last resort cases, helping out animal rescue agencies around the country with hard to place animals. There are separate areas for dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, horses, pigs, and goats. All animals are domesticated, but have been abandoned or removed from abusive homes. Michael Vick's dogs ended up here. 2 are not rehabitable. 2 have since died. And several have been rehabbed and are hoping for adoption. Best Friends has a state of the art veterinary clinic, and a whole lot of willing volunteers. 9,000 so far this year! Volunteers are allowed to take dogs 'home' to a cabin on the property, or into town for outings as part of their socialization efforts.

Larry gives Google a hello hug and rubdown.

The DogPound is round in shape with several kennels inside that can each accommodate 2 dogs that get along well. They have immediate access to outside runs from their kennel. Only positive reinforcement training techniques are used. For instance, when a dog barks at you, rather than look at the dog or respond with a command to be quiet, visitors are told to turn their backs or look away.

Eye to Eye in the Cat House

Outside the Cat House, the porch is enclosed with climbing areas for the cats.

Because cats love to climb and hide, the outside ceiling area has been set up with kitty litter, food and water. There are labels so caretakers know where to look to clean or refill containers.

Every bit of Best Friends is funded by donations. They receive no government aid. They use thousands of volunteers and give free tours of their facility. It is a beautiful and remarkable place.

Our last 'tourist' stop in Kanab was just for kicks. Many westerns were filmed in the area in the 60's and 70's. John Wayne was a regular, and Clint Eastwood made a few there as well. Since we were there, we visited the Little Hollywood Museum, where abandoned movie sets have been relocated. The museum was little, and it was free, but it was interesting.

Old West set

 Larry visits the saloon, which was actually made out of fiberglass, not adobe.

Inside of a cabin

 The Sweetwater Tpke Toll booth was actually made out of Styrofoam!

 This set was originally used in a Kenny Loggins music video.

The Parry Lodge was the best hotel in town and where all the actors stayed when in town to make a movie. It is still in use today.

On a trip, the little spots are just as important as the main events. It is in the smaller places that the greatness of the average man shines through.