not from around here

We are the type of people who you might call outdoorsy. We enjoy being outside and when living in an area such as this, we find ourselves searching for new destinations to discover. We really like living here and have decided that we want to get to know the area well. It would be a shame if, when Kyle graduates, we move away from here having never discovered what this area has to offer. For example, Kanarra Falls , which we hiked to twice last year, is one of the most beautiful places I've seen and I highly recommend going to anyone who ventures down this direction.
This was the place we discovered yesterday.This is Kolob Reservoir. It's beautiful. It was a bit of a drive to get here and it rained the whole way, but it's a gorgeous lake. We decided that this summer we're going to camp here. There are little campsites all along the lake with fire-pits not more than 3 or 4 feet from the water. It's stunning. In fact it was so captivating that it was difficult to leave....
Literally captivating... it wasn't easy to leave.
This is our 4Runner attempting to slide down a nice little hill. Remember how I said that it was raining the whole way... well, rain leads to mud and mud leads... uh... downhill.
It was still pouring rain when we got into this little predicament. There was a sharp turn to go down the road towards the lake and when I got nervous about going Kyle tried to back-up. At that point the vehicle started to slide. We stopped the car, prayed, and tried to figure out our next move. Kyle thought it best to wait until the rain eased up so that we could make a better decision about what to do. At that point it started raining harder.While it was pouring Kyle thought that maybe he could manipulate the SUV into going the right direction down the hill. Before the rain stopped he went to take a look from the bottom of the hill to see where we would end up. When he sloshed back up the hill he said it was a no-go. The road ended quickly around another sharp turn at the bottom of the hill. It ended by running into the lake. It would have been really bad for us to have made it to the bottom of the hill.
So, we sat tight.
About 10 minutes later, the rain eased up and we were able to start the process of backing out... We unloaded our precious cargo and sat Porter and Briggs on a blanket before starting the three and a half hour process of backing out.We got stuck three times in the process and each time Kyle had to figure out new methods of getting the car unstuck. We used the tow-rope and some regular rope as a safety (no, the weight of the car isn't on those ropes... the pictures make it look worse than it was). We also used every floor-mat in the car for extra traction. The last time we got stuck, one of the back wheels was just spinning, there was no weight on the back tire to pull us out. So, Kyle jacked up the front of the car and we proceeded to build a wall of rocks under and behind the front tire in order for Kyle to back out on a level surface. It was as we were putting the last rocks into place that a guy from the DNR showed up and asked if we needed him to tow us out (it would have been helpful to have seen him three hours earlier).
But, Kyle was able to back out easily that time, and we headed home on the paved road the DNR guy showed us.
He also informed us that he frequently has to tow people out of that spot. As he stood with me watching Kyle try to pull out, he looked at me and said, "Not from around here are ya?" I told him that we had only moved here within the past couple of years. Somehow I'm guessing that it's well known by locals that there isn't a road that goes all around the lake. Something that we won't forget.
So, now I have a little more experience under my belt. I can personally recommend a visit to this stunning lake. And for those who want to venture here, I must mention that the road does not make a complete loop. You should also stop well before you hit this hill.
(just a tip from a new local)