Buffalo Souls Report

Nebo Creek, UT. Up Spanish Fork Canyon, off I-89

B ubbling Brooks, Butterflies and Books

U nspoiled Utilities

F orest, Fauna and Flowers

F orecast and Fishing

A nimal Autographs

L ocation and Lodging

O n the Outskirts

S ounds, Solitude, Shade

O ut of the Ordinary

U ninhibited and Untamed

L ife, Day to Day

S imply Showing Off!

Thank you for checking out our first Buffalo Souls Report. I am just over two months behind in my writing journal, but this is meant to bring in something special into your orbit.

Whether it is the Mountains or the Desert, all at 70 degree weather conditions, (Ok I hope) we will chase great weather conditions to the most pristine places imaginable

<FFWD> 2 Months later ** We are in paradise very high in the Mountains at this very minute feeding animal/bird feed to Chip Munks and having an experience beyond this world. The stream is ice cold!

Pull up a camp chair and loosen your senses. We will include all the highs and lows. No need to explain the ins and outs of the acronym BUFFALO SOULS; Creative Leeway. Warning: this is helter-skelter, as our first few months was destined to be. Hang in there and I want to share my appreciation.

— J Altazar

Boy oh boy were we revved up! It was just after 12:00 AM Midnight. Our bank money was just in, and sleep had become discipline. Diandra was asleep in the truck. I was supine on the salt flats on my cushy yoga mat.

Mortan Salt rigs blared by mercilessly at all hours of the night. As I opened my eyes, a profound feeling washed over me as I became an isolated circuit alone with the Universe yet plugged into the Oneness. Then the Earth rumbled with a disorderly and brutal force. For an eternal moment, I didn’t know whether I was cast adrift on a Salt-berg groaning over a deep Malty-Salty-Sink-Hole, a belching remnant from the Lake Bonneville prehistory.

An intense smell of brine overtook me. Reality began to surpass my imagination.

I rolled over for another choppy dreamscape. Finally, the Sun’s rays were warming us up. Time to go!

Arriving at good-old Glen’s house, all the excitement had wrung both of our nerves, and manged to un-nerve my ADHD. Let’s just say, I asked more than one dumb question. They were angelically patient with us, inviting us into their living room to visit and taking the time to do one more round of instructions for the trailer life.

Letting his baby go, as Glen waved his arms astutely while I backed up to the ball hitch, he may have had an out of body experience. Pulling out of this all a little bit frayed, he was scratching his head in wonderment at these two kids who just don’t know what kinda life we are getting into, and wanting to travel full time. Oh well. And he walked back towards his front door in our rear views as we hit the open road.

Two and a half months of hard knocks and mind blowing serenity had led to the making of Our Buffalo Souls Report. Each camp stay is approximately two weeks.

I had considered rating each category numerically (my Autism would love this) but instead, if a topic piques your interests, I suggest scanning over to that category.

This will also help us keep track for future camping experience. We are professional retirees chasing the 70 degree weather.

We specifically designed this report as a ray of sunshine in your day. You are invited to sip along as we overcome obstacles, grow stronger, and share the wild splendour in our Buffalo Souls Report. And please take a gulp of our cold and gritty camp coffee. It may put some hair on your chest.

Bubbling Brooks, Butterflies, and Books The greatest factor of choicing for our camp area was that sound: Gurgling, gulping, flooding. Splashing and laughing; the promise of all things alive and holy at this location.

At the opening of public camping area at Nebo Creek, a working Corral exists right across from a 6 foot free fall of water at the stream. 2 X 2 X 3 Cement blocks were stacked to slow the river flow. This spot is reversed by the fishermen in the area, as fish can’t jump six feet back up. Every day, good-size (for a stream) Cut Throat trout would scatter as I approached the cement pad under the waterfall (!) Yeah, it’s nice.

This water feature comes down at a steady clip, so brace yourself. Only 100 yards from the corral, I absolutely love this spot so much I went in every day even in the cold weather. There I would chant the six ancient healing sounds of Chinese Taoist Medicine: Shooo, Ho-ahhh, Whooo, Szzzzzz, Chew-eeee, and Shay-eee at full volume into the hollow under the falls. Great sound effects. Cicadas would creep up to listen. Birds were landing right next to me to take a bath in unison.

I suppose I would give a trash heap a great review if it contained this water feature. But this is, indeed; paradise. Mountain hornets are even a bit friendly. Little green flies are even quite striking. Everything is a little bit smaller, including the cute red-shelled Cicadas. I sing with them like they have been waiting 17 years or something for this Concert. (they really have waited 17 years) Giant yellow butterflies were hatching and trying out their new wings. They even had fancy tails, like an old Thunderbird.

I parked our chairs out here and read my saved Substack writers’ work. Reading lore and gore in such a natural setting had allowed me to truly ponder the words and take it all in, sometimes several times over. I plan on a specific post to share my AMAZING Summer Reading List. **

Hint ** It’s all you, my Subscribers’ awesome work. I adore you all.

Unspoiled Utilities This ‘71 Aristrocrat camper is tough! I have been in every concievable body position at the dinette table. The framing hasn’t even budged. All the trim is still intact. I have been to brand new trailers from the factory with bending trim and seasick panels. After 55ish years, This baby is straight as an arrow and tough as a Buffalo.

The cushions and their home made covers are still awesome. (Thank you Linda!) We slept on the dinette table area as well as the bed. The bed area is preferred for sleeping, but the 4 inch mattress cushions were very hard on the back and neck/shoulders. <FFWD> **two months into the future (right now) and we and our hips are eternally grateful, Mom, for buying our new mattress! It is Heaven. Meanwhile. . . . .

But for now the report was an uncomfortable time, adaptation to weather, and being willing to give up some comforts to have experiences that truly satisfy the soul. Nothing will ever be perfect at first. But I have seen many suffer at my stage on the road with mechanical problems etc. That, my friends, I am happy to report is not an issue.

Once again, thankyouthankyouthankyou, Glen and Linda for thoughtful care of our trailer over all these years. I was entertained to learn that they were wild Motorbikers in the 70’s. And This trailer is a bona fide, HIPPIE Mobile.

Nebo Canyon was the perfect place to camp this early in this section of Northern Utah. That spot by the corral was ideal until about March 25 when they do roundup. That area was at the bottom of the canyon, milder, and sunnier. The creek was close enough (50 yards) to rinse dishes and ring things out on occasion.

Bring your fishing gear. The creek is stocked with Cut Throat trout. It was mesmorising just to hang out and watch the fish dart about. I wasn’t prepared with fishing and tackle just yet.

Bring warm clothes for 3 AM. You will thank yourself for being patient. The sun warms the valley very quickly, and urban comfort regrets vanish in the wind. A pair of awesome duck boots and fly fishing gear was a staple for adventurers in this particular valley.

Nebo Creek is a “beginners level camp.” Be sure to bring fire wood. After only a few days, wood turned up at various camps, discarded and of high quality. The canyon ends in an awesome hike that is only beautified by the burnt trees along the creek and hillside. Some groves remain, and it is a spiritual experience to witness the quiet strength of survival, both for the trees that live and the animals that still thrive, despite changing conditions.

Take hiking gear. Bring lots of drinking water, and for Heaven’s sake, Don’t go unprepared like us to this particular canyon without some stream fishing gear. It may not look like much, but this stream is the ultimate place to sneak up on a little fishing hole from upwind, and ever-so-quietly dropping the bait.

Our chosen campsite at the corrals is not good for tents. Lots and lots of parking, as this spot is frequently used to turn around large horse trailers. This canyon is almost a guarantee to see some horses and even Cowboys at work.

And finally, Don’t forget the Hot dog sticks and marshmallows along with a great walking stick to carve up. It’s plenty cold in May!

Forest, Fauna, and Flowers Nebo Creek Canyon, sadly, was on fire a few years back. The wonder of watching life move on is an ever-unfolding wondrous miracle. Sixty-foot dead skeletons hover dangerously over both sides of the creek, the remnant of Ash and Cottonwoods (the thirstiest trees of the forest.)

Feed from hay led many years ago to a disastrous fire situation, and this valley is a hapless victim of the thicker and less fire resistant varieties still insiduously coming in (big business at work.) Bans are decades too late and the whole wilderness has been transformed into a tinderbox.

Scrub Oak dominates the area now, but the acorns are abundant like gangbusters as these scrubby bushes fill the void left from the inferno. As a result, there are lots of ground squirrels here, and the food supply continued on seamlessly.

Only a few small groves remain for camping along the way. The hike at the end of the dirt road (only about ten miles along road and it terminates at the trailhead) is worth the drive alone. Miles and miles of rugged, but the easy hiking here in sheer beauty leaves one alone with Nature, raw and uncut. Practice your balance along a log as you bridge the stream. Even a sheer (novice) drop off the side. Horseback riders leave their evidence all along the trail.

The cowboys that run this canyon are top-notch characters, and their efforts show in areas where heavy equipment has cleared out burnt brush. The cows are very content and well-kept. I have developed a real itch to learn Mountain Herbology. Real White Sage grows along these slopes, but sparingly.

We are finding every camp has its own version of beautiful yellow flowers everywhere we traverse here in Sacred Utah.

Forecast and fishing My rough estimate for best camping at 70s degree weather: May 16-25. I choose a narrow frame, mostly because the cowboys do roundup by the end of the month. Also, September would be a great month for comfort and camping.

The 9th of May, when we arrived was a bit too early for this canyon. But things change fast in the Spring. For the first week, I would wake up at 3 AM shaking and shivering and ready to quit the whole thing. Once I got my pacifier, a bib overall set, designed for sub zero conditions, reason would return to my frame. Later, I felt ridiculous wearing it and breaking a sweat, I would strip down. The days, however, were extremely pleasant.

Honestly, the Arctic knee high socks warmed me up the best. I may never give up that habit of putting on warm socks before the Sun while we are living the outdoors lifestyle. 51 years of societal pampering has taken its toll.

Bring all your fishing gear. Especially stream fishing and water boots. I will have to schedule a return visit to report later on what they are biting on. These Cut Throat are worth the trip, and are heavily stocked along this stream.

Animal Autographs During the second week, we met a stray hound dog with big adorable ears. She was hopelessly lost. Looking like Astro Dog with an 8 inch radio transmitter sticking straight up from her collar in some kind of package designed for just this.

Light tan with brown black and white spots along her short haired body, she accepted the hugest hug I have ever shared with a dog. She needed it. After giving the hound a great big meal, we waved down a passing truck, and wouldn’t you know it, they knew the cowboy listed right on the collar.

This was very tender for us in particular, because our dog was given to a local farmer essentially because our lives had become too unstable (different story, I will be telling.) In just one week at the farm, Taffy was lost in the hills of that little agro town. I got a phone call at work, and we got the heads-up to watch out for phone calls of a missing dog. I left immediately home and we drove around all weekend looking for a body. Heartbreaking! But miracles abound, and the phone call did happen after 3 days. They were personal friends with that farmer, and all was well.

We were in seventh heaven. Only the salvation of a dog can make you feel like that! That ‘curious’ part of a dog presents a danger to their very survival. But that pooch could just flit about with not a care in the world and still get discovered, hopefully alive.

How much do we live our lives like that, letting fate guide unmanned rudders until disaster strikes? Do we need some kind of radio collar to bring us back home? How bout just a great big hug? Space Dog

Location and Lodging The corral is used often as a turning spot for trailers. Horseback riding is popular in this particular canyon. Drive to Birdseye, Utah (using Spanish Fork Canyon, go to Highway 89, turn right, and head South to Birdseye.)

Look for brown sign that says Nebo Creek and mentions National Forest after 2.5 miles of private property on both sides. The corral is within a mile after is is National Forest, on the right. Can’t be missed.

If that’s not the perfect spot, explore the small canyon for a wide variety of conditions. I always recommend scouting around before pulling a trailer anywhere just willy nilly. The corral is great for a trailer, but the ground is rocky and uneven. We were just exploring the borderline of temperature conditions up close and personal.

This isn’t exactly family reunion-level camping-size here, but a few spots in the area could accommodate several vehicles and families. In the forest, tent camping is better, but the spots are extremely limited.

On the Outskirts This camp was extremely easy to access from the greater Salt Lake Metropolis that stretches from Provo to Ogden, UT. We cruised in and out multiple times, dumped our RV tank at the Spanish Fork opening.

Let’s just say; cleaning out a small trailer is much easier and less toxic in general. On the coldest day, when it snowed, we ran away for a night at the Salt Flats once more, and came right back to camp. We took major advantage of our close proximity to our Grandkids.

And Yay!!! <FFWD> They are coming to the next camp for an entire week. This canyon is enough to enjoy without ever leaving all week. We know this, because the grand kids did just that. Next issue.

Cruising around Strawberry Reservoir and Highway 89 is a big treat. No more excuses, people from the greater Valley. Go and get your feet wet in a fish-stocked creek. Forget your troubles in less than two hours. Just saying. . . .

Sounds, Solitude, Shade The first sound to draw us was that loud waterfall. A constant presence, it added greatly to a mind-soothing ambiance. It was, perhaps, average when it comes to solitude, as a lot of people drive around here during Season. Luckily, this canyon is so small. Not much opportunity to be bothered.

I highly recommend choosing a Tuesday to switch camps. Much better opportunities. Being early in the Season, we chose a sunny spot on purpose. We didn’t regret this, AT ALL.

The devastating fire cleared out a lot of the old trees, and camping spots with remaining forest are hard to land.

Just a little hike, or a good fishing expedition would bring quick and permeating solitude at this secret hidden canyon.

Out of the Ordinary The Cows!! Like an old John Wayne movie, as we pulled in with the trailer, three cowboys and two cowgirls on 5 horses were leading a pack of ol’ Dogies to their pasture. It felt like the Opening Credits were scrolling down the Silver Screen as the horses begrudgingly trudge at the speed of the argumentative cows. Fantastic backdrop.

One day we woke to over 40 bodies outside our trailer: A dozen large bulls, two dozen cows, and as many more suckling calves and first yearlings. Watching them mock fight over tasty Spring flowers growing along the corral bars. They captured our hearts.

And Diandra says, “Don’t you forget to mention those adorable messy tufts of hair on the top of their crowns.” We are switching diets, at our age, away from red meat.

Uninhibited and Untamed Taking a real choice, buying the trailer, sacrificing for several months because of a (relatively) big cash purchase, and bravely heading out into the wilds has built our confidence in ways we could have never imagined. The time with Diandra alone, broke, and without electronics has felt like a soul curing session.

Decades of working, exorbitant hours for niceties (necessities?) like AC, heating and power. By the time I was into a great relationship (a decade ago) with Diandra, the price of a house was too much here in Southern Utah.

Downsizing and redreaming was a must! Essentially, we were living the Myth of Sysiphus, chasing that rock every day, and making it back up less far every day. Something has clicked in me that could only happen here, far away from old versions of security.

Life, Day to Day This may be a bit of an unfair first camp report. We were wimpy rookies taking on mighty Mother Nature.

Besides; on just the second day, my face swelled up like an orange. We high-tailed it to St. George, Utah over 300 miles away to get it yanked.

Coming back to camp, it got much colder and wetter. In the warm afternoons, that waterfall would pour on my chest, and it felt like something ‘lodged and blocked’ in me came loose. I was no longer quite as bothered about the past, when Family and Work friends shut me down and asked me to be quiet about my opinions, particularly of a so-called ‘political’ nature.

I needed to break free and loosen up!

Simply Showing Off Giant snowballs came unannounced and thick. Landing on the corral bars and exploding into puff, these rare Springtime Slurries delighted, then froze us right to the core. Persephone dazzled us with a display of shivering delight as the cold corridors of Hades sent her off to the light for another Season. To add to the delight, cows came into the frozen tundra, playing and frolicking all around in the fresh powder. Nature always delights!

Thank you for reading the first Buffalo Souls Report. I will curate it in the Mountains (to a much higher standard ha ha) and type it into civilization on those fleeting moments, like this, when Diandra is at the Doctor’s office for a regular ankle checkup. Her Achilles Heel is severed, yet she can carefully walk. I assist on the physical labor to provide us both with the experience of our lives. And yes, it is So worth it! Please bear with a few typos. This is a work of the Heart in Progress.