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The Curious West
Exploring the Deep History, Dirt Roads, and the Bones of the American West
Stop Sightseeing – Start Exploring
Welcome to the Curious West
I’m here to empower you to expand your vacation time into the real American West. Whether you are a solo traveler, a retiree, or just love a good road trip, my co-pilot Hugo and I have the truck packed and the itineraries ready.
Anthologies
The Ancient West
Fossils & Geology
The Iron West
Rail & Steam
The Storied West
History
The Painted West
Art & Photography
The Flowing West
Rivers & Wildlife
The Infinite West
Dark Skies
Recent Posts
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Three Trails and a Museum: Short hikes into the Bone Rush era of the Western Slope
The region around Grand Junction and Fruita is known for its stunning high deserts and deep canyons, but at the turn of the 20th century, the landscape earned its moniker in more ways than one. This area, known locally as the Western Slope, became the staging ground for a fierce, grueling paleontological gold rush. Rival…
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Tracking the Movie Stars of Paleontology
Foot Prints at Red Fleet State Park Nestled in the high desert of northeastern Utah, Red Fleet State Park is often called a “land before time.” While the turquoise waters of the reservoir are a major draw for boaters and swimmers, the real stars of the park are frozen in the deep red Navajo Sandstone:…
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Island In The Sky
An Elevation-Driven Ecosystem What makes the Paunsaugunt ecosystem special is that it functions as a “sky island.” Because the plateau rises between 7,000 and over 9,000 feet above sea level, it captures significantly more precipitation (primarily snow) and maintains much cooler temperatures than the arid valleys surrounding it. This dramatic change in elevation creates distinct,…
trails
Taking the Back Roads
The Curious West steps off the pavement and into the dust. TRAILS is the routes and waypoints explored to uncover the unique stories behind our anthologies.
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Warrior Trail
A Mapping the Battles of 1876 Along the Rosebud, Little Bighorn and Powder As a consequence of gold being discovered in the Black Hills in 1874, the U.S. government stepped up its efforts…
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Dinosaur Diamond
The Facets of A Diamond Mapping the Fossils, Canyons, and Deep Time of Dinosaur Diamond Exploring the four sides of the 500 mile journey through the overlooked corners of Colorado and Utah There…
Explorations: Feature Essays
Taking the Back Roads
The Curious West steps off the pavement and into the dust. Explorations is the archive of the feature essays that go beneath the surface of the American West – tracing landlocked rivers to their volcanic origins, following forgotten pioneer routes across high desert terrain, standing where the engineers of the steam era solved problems that should have been unsolvable.
Field Notes
Pull up a camp chair, grab a cup of coffee off the JetBoil, and let’s talk about exploring the Rocky Mountain back-country. Our Field Notes log the inside story of our travels as research the stories of The Curious West
HuGO’s Hound Notes
Hugo breaks down the his favorite trails and boarding facilities
TBD
Join our community of enthusiasts as we delve into the rich tapestry of the West. From ancient fossils to breathtaking dark skies, our e-magazine offers insightful articles, stunning photography, and engaging stories that celebrate the beauty and history of this remarkable region. Subscribe now to stay updated on our latest explorations!