It is hard to believe that these pictures were taken less than a month ago.
We have so much snow right now that it is already becoming difficult to remember what the world looked like without snow.
But these WERE taken less than a month ago, it was an unseasonably warm and sunny day, and I remember feeling impatient and very eager for winter to finally stick around for good after so many false starts.
A day after exploring one rock outcropping on the outer edge of the Oregon Basin with Kory (on a grey and cool day), LC, Kory and I returned to the same area, and drove into the basin proper.
More information on Oregon Basin:
After turning off the Greybull Highway we picked up the rutted out two-lane dirt road and followed it for a couple of slow and bumpy miles before reaching the vast, open expanse of the basin.
Picking up a rutted out, dirt single track on the right side of the road, we slowly made our way across BLM land.
Oil drilling could be seen off in the distance, but this area is primarily filled with the same as what was behind Atomic City - wide open nothingness, surrounded by hills, with mountains in the distance and with the occasional antelope sighting to break up the routine.
We found this place the last time we were in Cody, four years ago, and we christened this huge expanse of sandstone Circle Rock.................
Circle Rock is one enormous sandstone surface.
One huge rock (in a mile-long series of huge rocks), that feels like part of an endless wall that encircles one portion of the basin.
We named it Circle Rock because circles are a consistent theme in this place.
The wind is strong here much of the year and it flails in constant circles.
The results of that wind makes for a hugely interesting place.
The soft sandstone surface of the rock is filled with circular "tattoos".
Hardy cedar trees dot Circle Rock, and their roots and trunks are twisted and gnarly.
These same cedar trees grow in the dirt (that pushes up from circular open spots in the rock).
Open spots where rock has been completely carved away by the elements.
And finally, small and round rock formations have been carved by the wind, snow and rain, and are completely unique to the area.
It is a place different from anywhere else we have found in and around Cody, and we love it here.
Kory happily running up one side of Circle Rock.
Excited to explore this new place.................
The entire surface of this massive rock looks just like this.
The elements have tattooed this wonderful place with endless circles..............
Walking is easy on Circle Rock.
Most of it is flat and fairly smooth.
But there are many places on the rock that look just like this one - rock that has been molded into small, smooth hills, with circular sections of open dirt and hardy cedar trees that have found a way to thrive and survive in such a harsh environment.................
The climb to the top of the rock is steep but not difficult.
As LC continued climbing I held back for a minute so that I could take this picture of him cresting the top.
We LOVE this place................
I think this is my favorite picture of the entire trip...............
Looking out over part of the basin and one more section of the rock wall that encircles one section of this vast area.................
After wandering around on Circle Rock for a long time I looked down and was surprised to see that there were others in this same place.
We had unexpected visitors and the sight of them was initially jarring.
LC and I had been out into the basin many times, and had been on Circle Rock a handful of times, and had never across another person out here.
As I stood on my high perch I watched these mountain bikers for a few minutes.
Suddenly wishing that my bike wasn't sitting idle in a freezing cold storage unit in Idaho.
And then I looked beyond them - towards the hills - and thought back to the very first time I had found Oregon Basin.
We were living in a small cabin four miles from Cody at the time.
The place was tiny but it was also very close to BLM land, and I ventured out on foot and on bike regularly, always eager to explore the desert.
Eventually I found my way to the backside of these hills.
I rode my bike up the hills for a while, eventually dropped my bike when the trail got too steep, and continued on foot, curious what was on the other side of the hills.
When I reached the top I was surprised to learn that I had discovered Oregon Basin...................
Such a typical picture of Circle Rock.
Flat and easy to walk, with round wind-carved rock sculptures, circular tattooed surfaces, twisted and tortured trees, and circles of dirt.................
Looking from the top of Circle Rock across to another large rock..............
The picture is faded because I zoomed in so much.
At the top of Circle Rock I looked down and realized that the two bikers had already by-passed us, and that they had a dog with them.
It wasn't until I downloaded this picture that I realized just how much their dog looked like Kory.
Click on any picture and they will all enlarge.................
The desert wears… a veil of mystery. Motionless and silent, it evokes in us an elusive hint of something unknown, unknowable, about to be revealed. Since the desert does not act, it seems to be waiting — but waiting for what?
~ Edward Abbey
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