GOING PLACES, NEAR & FAR.... Utah Adventure Day 4-5

dwelling (nps.gov, 800-227-7286).

Because the water level is so low, we come to the edge of the water much earlier than expected, and pull up the boat onto a beach, have a picnic lunch under a rock awning, and then set off on foot in search of the cliff dwelling.

This really feels like Indiana Jones, because there is no actual trail. We follow the water – slogging along the deep mud, crisscrossing to avoid deeper water. Dave comes with me as Laini and Alli bound ahead to explore in the limited time we have before we have to get back to the boat.

The site (which is only reachable by boat then foot) is usually just a quarter mile past the end of the water, but with the water level so much lower, it’s now over two miles away and we don’t have the time. Also there is so much overgrowth and prickly thickets that Laini and Alli can’t get through wearing shorts. They turn around and tell us we should make our way back to the boat.

Even with this disappointment, it has been an immensely fun adventure.

As we boat out of the canyon, we see a vulture contemplating eating a dead fish on the shore.

We are close to the time when we need to return the boat, but Dave pilots us into the Lost Eden Canyon. This turns out to be an absolutely magical (overused word but really apt) place – a superb finale to our adventure.

There are golden dapples on the gray rock faces like gold coins shimmering in sunlight. The water is a surreal emerald green under a brilliant blue sky, the rocks are orange, tan and gray, making interesting patterns, as we wind through the narrow canyon.

You can easily imagine how ancient artists were inspired not just by the colors, but the patterns in rock faces.

When we get back to the marina, it takes 30 minutes just to refill the tank ($200!).

Driving from Lake Powell on our way to our next stop, Bears Ears National Monument-Cedar Mesa, we stop at Outpost Marine Trading Post – as significant today as it must have been for early pioneers. It has a fabulous selection of gear and groceries for camping as well as fantastic sandwiches at incredibly reasonable prices (considering how desperate people can be at this point in their journey)

- Reuben, probably best outside of NYC, $8; thick burgers; fresh sliced turkey only $4.99/lb (Dave can’t believe it so buys 2 pounds). Everyone is absolutely delighted as we savor our car dinner when we get back on the road.

We soon see a dead calf on the road and vultures hovering.

We stop at Hite Overlook for spectacular, iconic views of the Western landscape.

The historic marker here relates how in 1883 Navajo Chief Hoskininni led Cass Hite to the Canyon below, where he found gold. He opened a small store and post office, making his fortune off the miners. After World War II, the town’s population “swelled” to more than 200. This time, miners were searching for “hot” rocks (uranium). This mining boom also went bust and Hite returned to its small town existence. But in 1964, the waters of Lake Powell swallowed up Hite, leaving behind the only true treasure: the view.

Everyday Cheapskate

8 Easy Ways to Cut Your Electricity Bill

BY MARY HUNT

The mail arrives. The electric bill is right on top. Shove it to the bottom of the stack. Finally, hands shaking, open it, knowing you’ve been negligent. Lock eyeballs with the amount due. Higher than it has ever been. Sure, rates are skyrocketing; everyone is being impacted. But that does not make this easier to swallow.

If you’re facing high utility bills that rival the rent or mortgage payment -- or just need to cut costs -- these tips can help you get started cutting your electricity bill.

NO. 1: CHANGE AIR FILTERS

The filter(s) on your HVAC (heating ventilation air-conditioning) system should be changed every three months to keep the system in tip-top shape. Set an alarm; mark it on the calendar. I may not be the only homeowner who had to learn this very expensive lesson the hard way.

NO. 2: KEEP VENTS CLEAR

It’s understandable to want to hide vents with furniture to improve the appearance of a room, but it’s crucial to leave enough space around them so that air can circulate properly. Blocking vents can cause your HVAC system to work harder and even break down.

NO. 3: ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Lower the thermostat a bit when you are not at home and at night during the winter. Be mindful not to set the temperature too low while you’re away as it can cause your heating unit to work harder, increasing energy bills and putting stress on the unit.

Invest in a programmable thermostat for your home. Set it to adjust the temperature automatically according to your schedule.

NO. 4: ADJUST WATER HEATER TEMPERATURE

While adjusting your thermostat, consider changing the temperature of your

We drive to Bears Ears-Cedar Mesa where we finally get to do the wild camping I have been so excited about (that means no services at all, just wilderness). The sun is descending and we are hoping to set up camp before dark.

Dave finds his way down a dirt road leading to Arch Canyon and we finally find a suitable site next to a sign marking an Indian reservation (no trespassing!).

We set up in time before dark, but the full moon shines like a giant lantern, rising just as the sun sets, making flashlights unnecessary.

We sit around the campfire, enjoying the peace and reveling in our adventure. We will finally get to use our winter-rated sleeping bags and pads Dave had rented from Moosejaw (https://www.moosejaw.com/content/ gear-rental, 877-666-7352).

Each day of our trip, we are immersed in landscape that manifests different personality, character, color, texture, ambiance, even theme, and provide the contours for our experience.

Tomorrow we will get to meet Bears Ears and the spirits of the Ancestral Pueblo people.

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, www.nps.gov/glca, 928-608-6200; Bullfrog Visitors Center, 435-684-7423.

See more photos: https://goingplacesfarandnear.com/utah-adventure-day-45-driving-burr-trail-exploring-glen-canyon-wild-camping-in-arch-canyon/ water heater as well. The Department of Energy states that setting a water heater to 140 F is the default, but this can result in annual wasted costs of $36 to $61. It is safe for most households to set the temperature to 120 F instead.

© 2023 Travel Features Syndicate, a division of Workstyles, Inc. All rights reserved. Visit goingplacesfarandnear. com.

NO. 5: INVEST IN BLACKOUT CURTAINS

An inexpensive way to cut costs is to invest a few bucks in blackout curtains. Found at stores like Walmart and Target, they block light, noise, and temperature fluctuations. In winter, thick curtains can also help retain heat inside the room.

NO. 6: USE ENERGY-SAVING LIGHT BULBS

Switching to energy-efficient LED light bulbs from incandescent, compact fluorescent and halogen bulbs can save you approximately $225 per year on your energy bill.

Although these bulbs may have a higher initial cost, there’s no need to replace all the light bulbs in your home at once. Instead, replace them as they burn out.

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Crossword Answers

BY CLAIRE LYNCH

In my family we never sat around eating crumpets but once I went away to college in Connecticut it was a whole different story. My friend, Emily, is the one who turned me on to crumpets. One afternoon after a particularly interesting American literature class she invited me to a coffee shop in Fairfield. I relied on her judgment about shops because she was a commuter. She lived in the town whereas I lived in a dormitory and was from another state.

Saying yes, I hopped in Emily’s car and off we went. We both ordered coffee and she asked for a crumpet. I’d had coffee cake before and Danish but never a crumpet. They are a small round unsweetened bread cooked on a griddle and usually split and toasted before serving.

Crumpets are most similar, I guess, to English muffins but they’ve got differences. Add a little butter or other topping and you’re all set. Some people say that the right way to eat crumpets is with a good helping of butter over the tops. You need to put the butter on when the crumpets are hot, so the butter melts down all the holes in the crumpet. That’s part of the tradition! Many Brits enjoy cups of tea with their crumpets but I like hot coffee.

I enjoyed our coffee and crumpets party so much that I brought the idea of eating crumpets with hot coffee or tea back to my dormitory floor but the only person interested was my roommate, Lauren. Everyone else wanted to stick to their surreptitious donuts or they were busy doing research in the library and had no time for coffee klatches.

When Lauren and I had a free hour open between her classes and mine we’d relax and have our occasional coffee and crumpets. We’d chat about the historical sites in New Jersey, her home