In the eighteen hundreds, Dr. Sylvester Richardson and his bride settled in an area near Moab, Utah. This homestead flat is called the Richardson Amphitheater and it’s where I spent last weekend painting the Utah red rock landscape and enjoying life. To get there, go west on I-70 and take the Cisco exit to Moab, Hwy 128, and follow along the Colorado River about 20 miles where you’ll breakout of the canyon into the open. Welcome.

This large flat is called an amphitheater because it is enclosed with red rock cliffs. These alone are rather dramatic but there are the added features of hoodoos and towers. Fisher Tower is the most acclaimed one. The Priest and Three Sisters and Castle Rock are also prominent. Numerous movies have been filmed in the area. From our campsite at Hittle Bottom we had front row seats.

Richardson was a PhD professor, thus the Dr. on his name. He soon saw the economic opportunities with ranching and mining activities increasing in the area and Moab only 25 miles away. He also had political ambitions which he pursued and consequently got the amphitheater named after him for his contribution to the history of the region.

There are still several remote ranches, of course stunning scenery, and lots of people. Lots of people. Tourist and adventure seeking types. Rafting and mountain biking seem to be the big draw, although four wheelers and dirt bikes were very well represented too. Of course one can’t overlook the jeeping and off road rock crawlers that invade the place begining in the early spring. We took a drive down the dirt road to the Fisher Towers parking lot and trailhead. The parking lot was full and the side of the dirt road for a good hundred yards or more was lined with the overflow. License plates ranged from Virginia to California and New Mexico to British Columbia, Canada and all points in between. The Moab area has become renown for it’s diversified recreational opportunities with a national and international draw.

Of course the weekend weather was a bit on the wild side over there. I drove over on Friday in rain and snow and joined Kathy’s brother Tim and his wife Donna who had arrived earlier in the morning.I got there in the early afternoon and endured low clouds and drizzle for the rest of the day and evening. Kathy drove over separately later in the evening after she got off work and reported heavy rains most of the way.  The low hanging clouds and fog made for some really dramatic scenes as seen here:

The next morning broke with overcast which eventually opened up to clear skies. It turned out to be a beautiful day, enough so that we took a three mile hike and climbed in elevation high enough to command some spectacular views of the amphitheater and sounding cliffs, towers and buttes. The Colorado River can be seen in the distance.

In the afternoon I finally had the opportunity to get a nice little oil painting done and a good start on a watercolor the next morning. As is the case most of the time, the evening and morning light gives one the best opportunities for painting, photographing or just plain eyeballing. That evening we prepared a great Dutch oven supper which we wound up having to enjoy in the shelter of our trailers as a fantastic thunder and lightning storm rolled into the area giving us a real soaking. Just prior to the storm was some of the most dramatic lighting I’ve ever seen with orange high lights on the towers and mesas.

Here’s a photo of the oil painting I did on Saturday afternoon. I’ll post the watercolor I did Sunday when I get it finished.

I really enjoy painting this country especially in the spring of the year because the green foliage is such a compliment color to the red sand and rock. Rugged and wild.

A good time was had by all and and I’m sure to return. Thanks for stopping by.