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The Pueblo Indian ruins at the Edge of Cedars State Park |
Devil's Canyon Campground
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Devil's Canyon |
This is our first time in this area of Utah near Blanding, Utah where we reserved a spot for two nights in the LaSal National Forest Service at Devil's Canyon campground. The sites here are spacious and are located just off route 191 in the foot hills of the Blue Mountain. As National Park Pass holders we payed only $5 a night to camp here. There is no electric however we are prepared with our solar panel to charge our equipment along with all our camping supplies to keep us comfortable. This is one of many dry camping experiences we will have on our trip. To see a bigger percentage of National Parks & Forest Service Parks in the country it takes a bit of off the grid capability to do so. Not everyone is willing to do this however the rewards are ten fold when you see places some campers shy away from.
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Our campsite at Devils Canyon Campground |
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Barbara enjoying a glass of wine at our campsite |
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A deer I spotted during a ride on my mountain bike |
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The snow capped Blue Mountain range as seen from the campgrounds |
During our stay we drove down to Blanding, Utah, about nine miles away, to visit the Edge of the Cedars State Park & Museum. We were pleasantly surprised by what we saw there. The visitors center and museum is one of the biggest in the country with a large collection of ancestral artifacts from the Pueblo Indians presence in this area many centuries ago. Among the treasures of the past were pottery, woven baskets, arrow heads and other instruments that they used to survive in time where none of the conveniences of todays modern society existed.
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Ancient Pueblo Pottery from archaeological discoveries in the area |
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A etched rock from an explorer long ago in the late eighteen hundreds warning folks not to destroy artifacts |
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Ancient Pueblo arrowheads from long ago |
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Various Pueblo artifacts discovered in the area |
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More Pueblo artifacts, The museum has a large collection |
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Priceless Macaw shash on display at the museum |
We hiked the trail behind the museum where an ancestral Pueblo dwelling has been restored and preserved in as close to its original state as possible. The Kiva was open for visitors to explore making for an added dimension in this interesting hike around the ruins. You could almost feel the ancient Pueblo Indian spirits in this sacred place. Artist have created interesting pieces of work along the path all overlooking the majestic Blue Mountain range in the background.
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The Pueblo ruins at The Edge of the Cedars State Park |
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The entrance to the Kiva |
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Ladder descending into the Kiva, about six feet down. |
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The interior walls of the Kiva, this is where the Pueblos had thier spiritual ceremonies |
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Sculpture honoring the ancient Pueblo Indians, It is lined up perfectly with the sun rise during the winter solstice |
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The beautiful Blue Mountain Range as seen from the ruins |
If you are in this area traveling visiting the Edge of the Cedars State Park and Museum is a great stop if you love the lore of the ancient antrestrial Pueblo Indians. Many of thier dwellings were in this part of Utah, New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado including Mesa Verde.
So glad you’ve started this Doug. Great pics and comments. Keep it up.
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