Glendale, a Visitor's Guide

A Day in the Geologic Life

I suppose I should give you an idea of what our days are like during the times we aren't wailing on rocks with hammers, measuring hundreds of fractures, or fending off mountain lions. In order for you to imagine us in our free time, you need to be able to picture Middle of Nowhere, USA. Or, as it is officially referred to in the Rand McNally Atlas: Glendale, Utah. Founded in 1862, this one lane, desert town now boasts a massive population of 350 people, and throughout our stay here, we have only seen about 2 of them. I think it's just too hot in the afternoons, when we're out and about the metropolis. 

Here we are, documenting deformation in the cliffs just outside this town, staying in the most luxurious campground west of the Mississippi. From highway 89, our campground's sign shines like a beacon to all weary travelers: "Bauer's Canyon Ranch RV and Campground/Free Wifi/Clean Toilets/Showers/Shady Campsites/Ice/Satellite/Hookup, etc.," a list of amenities to lure customers like us. We appreciate the privacy and peace afforded by the camp; we've taken liberty to sprawl our several tents, a pop-up shade canopy, several picnic tables, and a large camp stove across multiple sites. What's more, we have a pantry. Trinity University provided us with a small, eight-foot cargo trailer, which we have packed with cereals, veggies, fruits, and cookies. Lots of cookies. The few other campers that stop by are clearly jealous of our setup, and occasionally tell us so by speaking loudly in Italian as we try to sleep. 

Each day, after we are done doing some seriously serious geologic work, we plop ourselves into the Trinity University branded Suburban, and head back to Bauer's Canyon Ranch RV, which by now looks like the Hilton. Once we've arrived, we race towards the Clean Showers touted by the road-side sign. Sure enough, they are truly clean, and so after quick showers, we are once again ready to work, though this time it's in shorts and t-shirts as we lounge around camp to compile data, discuss geology, and formulate hypotheses. Whenever we need to take a quick break, to take our mind off of any challenge, we simply say "hi" to the neighbors; directly adjacent to our camp is a field of horses and mules, which seem to enjoy watching us as we work.

First-rate accommodations in Glendale 

Ten Million Star Dining

Eventually, our thoughts to to dinner, so we fire up the 'ol Coleman Propane Grill, and get to work, chopping, dicing, and slicing. Each of us has a talent-defined role in the camp kitchen; Caroline does the stove-work, since she is an excellent chef. She is a tough and tenacious master of the Coleman stove, occasionally flambeing our dishes. Madison, Charley, and Ben act as sous chefs, since they are speedy and efficient at cutting and prep-work. Meanwhile, Curtis carries out his role as joint-supervisor and dish-washing master. After dinner is cooked to Caroline's satisfaction, we compile the result on our campsite's main picnic table, and dig-in, only pausing to make a joke, ask a geologic question, or get seconds; all the while, the stars begin to rise overhead and light the sky with ten million white sparkles. 

After dinner, we do our dishes, clean up camp, and by then it's bed time. Under the bright lights of the moon and stars, which still refuse to be drowned-out by Glendale's two traffic lights, we brush teeth, prepare tents, and then slowly drift off to sleep, dreams of rocks, hiking, Schmidt Hammers, and drones filling our nights.     

Next-door "Neigh"-bors

 Field Tip of the Day: "Selfish Singing" -When you are camping and wish to have the entire shower to yourself, there are several ways to ensure that you get the privacy you need. The most efficient method is to sing. Loudly. It also helps if you are at least three steps off-key.