Another Day

We are camping at a familiar park down near Provo, Utah.  Utah Lake State Park is a good third-night stopping spot and we have taken advantage of it quite often. The showers are great and it gives us a chance to clean up after a couple days on the road.

As you might remember, yesterday Linda and I drove down through Boise and had some truck problems just outside of Jerome. We stopped at the Les Schwab and it looks like they have fixed our problem. No warning lights today at all! Wahoo.

We were a bit late so we crashed a Mexican fiesta at the Jerome County Fairgrounds. There were lots of people and cars surrounding us, but they were relatively quiet and both Linda and I slept well as the tubas and accordions played on.

We got up early and drove into Twin Falls where we decided to take a short detour and view Shoshone Falls in the early morning light. The wind was blowing so hard that it sent spray from the falls all over the parking area and overlooks. You got soaked out there, but the spray provided one wonderful thing, rainbows! We got as many photos as we could. There was no way to hold the camera out without the lens getting soaked. Yes, it was misting that hard.

From the falls we drove east to Interstate 84 and blasted on down into Utah. The wind was behind us and we got 16 mpg for that leg of the trip. As I said we found our campsite in the park and are all set up for the evening.

Jodi and Steve reserved our camp spot for us when they arrived. It was nice to drive in and have it available for our visit.

During the afternoon and evening, Steve and Jodi went to visit Steve's son who lives in Draper.  We will be heading south tomorrow in a caravan of two.  Should be a fun drive.

The Road North

Our camp at Jonson Canyon, pre toy haulers.

Driving days mean that we get up early and then spend at least four hours on the road heading to a new spot. Linda lays out her maps and memorizes all the highway numbers for the upcoming day. She approximates driving times and finds us a place to stop for each night. The distance we drive usually depends upon where we have reservations for camping.

Our next reservations are at a campground up in Idaho. That gives us two nights to make our way up to that campground. To do this Linda talked to Daren and Marcy and found that they camped in a BLM area up Johnson Canyon just outside Kanab. It is boondocking at its best with nothing but a dirt parking lot as you site.

We drove through some really spectacular country today. Crossing over Glen Canyon Dam, past Page, Arizona, into Utah, entering the Escalante Grand Staircase National Monument; we were never without an interesting view or beautiful panorama.

In comparison, our parking lot camp was very stark, but who can complain at no cost to stay. I hiked up a 4X4 road after we were set up and it gave me the urge to get the Jeep unhooked and take a drive. Wouldn’t you know it, the battery was dead again! Yes, we used our Break Buddy or F#&/%n Buddy as we now call it. So Linda and I started to push the Jeep up to the front of the truck so that we could jump start it.

As we worked to push the rig, a real nice lady came by and offered us a jump start and we happily accepted the offer. Stinky Jeep started right up and we thanked our friend and she drove off. With the Jeep running, I checked the cables and found that the positive side was loose so I spent some time cussing at my tools and finally got it tightened up.

I took a drive up the main Johnson Canyon road to charge the battery and once I figured it was good, I returned to the lot. Since I was right near a 4X4 road I decided to take a drive up over the near hill to see what was out there.

A group of 20 trail cars being remodeled into a B&B.

 Cool idea for road side rentals.

The road was comprised of about a foot of very fine sand. With the Jeep in four-wheel drive, I was able to charge up and over the hill only to find more road with a lot of deep sand. I thought I would find some red rock and roads winding through them, but all I could see for miles and miles was desert with sand-filled 4X4 tracks. I had to really push the Jeep and that was a lot of fun but then I started thinking, “what if I slow down and get stuck?” I shot across a track and found some purchase where I could get turned around and then stepped on the gas and skidded my way back to the hard pack road and on to our camp spot. I guess when you are alone it is best to put the macho crap away, even if it was way a way cool way to drive.

Back at camp, Linda got me a cool drink and we planned our next day’s drive. I fixed dinner and then with the cool night air floating in we cleaned up and went to bed.

Day Two –

Last night at 2:20 AM, three huge toy haulers from Montana, pulled into the BLM lot. Our camper was positioned just past the BLM signage tucked away from the two other camping rigs. There was a huge parking lot empty for all who wanted to camp. The three toy haulers pulled in and made a semi-circle around our camper and then proceeded to unload six ATVs and place then directly in our path. The noise and lights were annoying enough, but imagine our surprise to find that we were blocked and had to back up our truck and Jeep to get out a 6:00 AM this morning. I was a bit pissed and have to admit that I slammed my door whenever possible as I idled our diesel the entire time we loaded and left.

All Linda could say is that those type of inconsiderate actions give ATV operators bad karma. All they needed to do was pull in and go to bed, then set up their personal little ATV village after they woke up at 9:00 AM in the morning. We would have quietly been long gone and the world would be a happier place.

The view from Utah Lake State Park.

After we calmed down, we drove into Kanab and stopped at a grocery store where we continued our quest to find the world’s best grocery store breakfast burrito. The fellow behind the counter handed Linda the two burritos and she asked, “What’s in them?” To which he replied, “Everything you see in the display case, except the biscuits and we put gravy in them.” Sold!  How can you pass up a burrito with an entire display case of breakfast foods in it!

We drove on down the highway eating our breakfast and comparing those burritos to the others we have eaten as we traveled. Yes, they might be the best we have had so far!

Our drive took us on highway 89 up to the Provo area where we got a camp site at Utah Lake State Park. The weather has been very good all day but by evening, it clouded up and looked a bit like rain. Tomorrow we will drive up into Idaho, our potato state!                                                  

Red, White and Black

Sunday evening rolled around and since we had been in communication with John Karpenko and Beth Hanggeli on their trip down this way we found that we were able to get together for dinner. We met them and their friends Kellee and Scott over in Hurricane where we went to a restaurant called the Stagecoach. We had a nice dinner and it was good to see Beth and John before they put on the Colorado River to do the Grand Canyon.

We returned to the camper and went right to bed. It sure seems like the days fly by when you are on the move.

Just a few miles outside St. George to the North is a state park up Snow Canyon. The park is 7400 acres of red rock sandstone cliffs, white sandstone, and black lava all mixed together to make spectacular views for hiking. We drove to the park and paid our $6. Boy, it was beautiful! There were many trails, so we picked a few and got off our butts and hiked.

Hiking into Hidden Pinyon trail.

We hiked the Hidden Pinyon trail then drove up further into the park to the Whiterocks Amphitheater trail. Both those hikes were so diverse with the various formations of the three colors of rocks.

We had lunch after we finish the Whiterocks hike and then did a nice hike called Butterfly. While on that hike we took a detour to the top of the Petrified Dunes area where we had a wonderful panorama of the entire park.  After the climb we hit the Butterfly Trail again and made our way out to an area where black lava cinder cones could be found.

Back to the Jeep we hiked and then we returned home to our little RV and Kobi. We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing and playing with Kobi. The dog deserved some petting and play time.

Another shot of the trail.

Peek-A-Boo.

My best side on the trail to Whiterocks.

Whiterocks Amphitheater area.

The white sandstone, red sandstone and black lava.

On the Petrified Dunes.

Lave tube.

What's Going On

Camper pizza again. I think it's getting better!

The predicted rain came in yesterday afternoon and has hung around since.  It pours and then the clouds break and the sun comes out. It's beautiful but we have found that the ground gets very slippery. I haven't done my usual full out back plant, but I have slipped twice where I was paws down walking like a big bear.

Since we are in the rain we have explored the visitors center, walked the dog and Linda did an 8-mile run. While she ran Kobi and I explored some of the dog-friendly walking paths. There are very few areas that allow dogs, but we have found a couple spots where old man Kobi can poo in peace.

Kobi's hiding place. Please ignore Linda's hole in her sock.

While out on this walk, between down pours, I stopped and took some photos of a cactus in bloom. As I snapped pictures a hummingbird flew in to grab some nectar. I tried to get a good shot, and the bird tried to give a good one, but his wings moved so fast that I couldn't stop then. I probably could have adjusted the shutter speed, but that would have meant that I stop shooting and figure out the settings. I am sure the hummingbird would have waited.

Another black cloud moved over head and the thunder sent Kobi into hiding. It's pouring but we are warm inside our camper.

Beyond the Tunnel

There is a big long tunnel on the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and once you exit the rock structure there is a hike that leads out away from the highway and is called the Overlook Trail. We hiked this short steep trail and got some great photos.  

The Great Arch of Zion and the view point of
the Overlook Trail.

My favorite hiking view.

Pointing out rock formations looking over the canyon wash.

View from the Overlook Trail, overlook.

Proof we are still together on this trip.

Slow down a bit!

View of Linda crossing one of the man-made bridges.

She is waiting for me.

Walking back to find me, I'M COMING!

Trail supports.

Checkerboard Masa.

Closer view of the rock formation.

Trail Yeti.

Cool rock formations, and nice place for a photo.

See, I told you!