Bluff / Mexican Hat

Unseasonably warm April ushers in early spring-like weather

Unseasonably warm temperatures marked much of the month of April in San Juan County, with an early arrive of spring-like weather. The month closed with near-record high temperatures. While the warm weather melted much of the snow pack in area mountains, area reservoirs are filling but at a much...

A people story in dog’s clothing

This is a dog story, except... many of us realize a dog story is actually a people story in dog’s clothing. Storytellers from the beginning of time have used animals to tell humanity’s narrative – how Raven facilitated the emergence of the first people by prying open a clamshell or how Coyote...

COVID-19 cases grow, expand into Blanding

The number of diagnosed COVID-19 cases in San Juan County is expected to grow in coming days as the results of a mobile testing unit continue to roll in. The virus has infected residents of most communities in the county, including Blanding, Bluff, Montezuma Creek, Monument Valley, and Navajo...

San Juan Hill recreated in a beautiful carving by Bluff Fort Service Missionary Jerry Allred

As the Mormon pioneers who went through the Hole-in-the-Rock from 1879 to 1880 drew near to their final destination in southeastern Utah, they encountered a formidable barrier known as Comb Ridge. They had already descended down through the Hole-in-the Rock to the Colorado River, blasted roads...

Friends and neighbors

As is so often the case, the worst of times can bring out the best in people. Like everyone else in the world, our area of southeastern Utah, and especially the vast Navajo Nation, are going through a difficult struggle during the coronavirus pandemic. In one of the most isolated areas of the...

A corona

Early this morning, Jana and I were out walking Pearl as the sun began to rise in the east. Pearl, whom many of you have yet to meet, is the successor to Buffy the Wonder Dog. Buffy grew up and spent most of her days lounging on the mat in front of the Kokopelli doors. Winter, spring, summer, and...

Bluff Council votes to restrict lodging, restaurants

The Town of Bluff has voted to restrict all but “essential service” businesses, and the deemed the only “essential service” to be the K&C Trading Post. The decision was made with a unanimous vote of the Bluff Town Council on March 25. The restrictions include short term rentals, such as motels...

County restaurants coping with state restrictions in wake of COVID-19

San Juan County restaurant owners are scrambling to make ends meet after their services to customers were severely limited by an order designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus. Local restaurants and bars have been heavily impacted by the order from Utah Gov. Gary Herbert that...

Food bank provides assistance to the area

Estimates are that nearly one in five San Juan County residents face hunger every day. One quarter of children may not know where their next meal is coming from. The number of San Juan County residents facing hunger is much higher than national and statewide averages, reports the Utah Food Bank....

The irony of ignorance

As I look back on the early days of Twin Rocks Trading Post, I am reminded what Orson Welles said shortly after the release of his cinematic masterpiece Citizen Kane. When asked what allowed him to write, produce, direct, and star in Kane, the 26-year-old novice filmmaker commented that ignorance...