Our Life in Alaska and Beyond

Before going to Fish Lake we decided to go a day early and spend some time at Capitol Reef National Park. I hadn't been here since I was a little kid, and it was the first time for everyone else. There was a little construction on the way into the park so we couldn't take a picture by the Capitol Reef sign, but we'll get one next time we visit!

We learned the Capitol Reef area is called "land of the sleeping rainbow" in Navajo* because of the beautiful and colorful layered canyon walls. We went on several hikes here and loved it. The rock really did remind us of a sleeping rainbow. 

*I think I read this in a guide book, but now I can't find a reliable source, so this info actually may not be correct. I still like the sleeping rainbow imagery, though. 

Our first stop in Capitol Reef was Fruita. It is an area where Mormon settlers farmed and planted orchards, and the orchards are still maintained by NPS staff today. When we were there a few apple trees were ripe, which you can pick yourself and then pay in the drop box on your way out. The girls loved picking the fruit, and we also loved seeing all the mule deer here. There were a ton in the orchard as I'm sure they love the fruit, too, haha. 

After picking some apples we drove to where you can see petroglyphs. It was so cool to see this ancient artwork carved into the rock surface. The petroglyphs were created by Fremont people who lived in the area from about 300-1300 CE. We loved looking at the different images and designs created, and thinking about these ancient people who lived here so long ago. 

Mule Deer in Fruita orchard in Capitol Reef National Park