Wordless Wednesday – Four Corners USA
Categories: Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah
Standing in four states at once!
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Visit 5 Minutes for Mom for other Wordless Wednesdays!
RV Blogs about Colorado
RV Parks in Colorado
Our 2013 Workamper Shop Local Challenge
Categories: Colorado, Fulltiming, Workamping
Can two workampers survive off provisions in Lake City, a small southwest Colorado mountain town?
A Rainy Drizzly Drive
Categories: Colorado, New Mexico
This is the view we woke up to this morning –It drizzled and lightly rained off and on the whole trip as we traveled from Farmington, New Mexico on Highway 64 to 550 which took us into Durango, Colorado. From there we took Highway 160 over to Cortez, …
Our Summer Workamping Job Beckons
Categories: Colorado, Workamping
Getting ready for another summer season of our summer workamping RVer job in Western Colorado.
OLA: Getting Back to Desert Heat (Southern Utah)
Categories: Colorado, Utah
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| the glow of the setting sun on this hill in Canyonlands National Park |
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| bidding goodbye to Colorado Spring Snow! |
It was another snowy stay at Suzanne’s home in Denver,
Colorado! With the extra time, both
Devin and Cassie, with a half day off from school one day, decided to create
their own blogs. Cassie settled on one that inspires, informs, and entertains
her audience with the fresh goofiness of an almost twelve-year old Funny Girl! For her first post, please go to http://askmyparents.blogspot.com/2013/04/my-first-awesome-post-creative-name.html. Devin’s PicturesandStuff11.blogspot.com
highlights unusual photos, music, and other stuff, and what else, for a
fourteen-year old teenager! For his posts, please go to http://picturesandstuff11.blogspot.com/
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| the view from our camp in Hurricane, Utah |
We wanted to head back to the warmth of the desert. The RV
may be in Hurricane, Utah but we decided to stop at Moab to take a peek at the
Canyonlands National Park. In 2009 we camped in the city on the way to
Suzanne’s and took a peek at the companion park, Arches National Park. We were very
intrigued by Canyonlands because this was where the unusual story of an adventurous
hiker became famous.
may be in Hurricane, Utah but we decided to stop at Moab to take a peek at the
Canyonlands National Park. In 2009 we camped in the city on the way to
Suzanne’s and took a peek at the companion park, Arches National Park. We were very
intrigued by Canyonlands because this was where the unusual story of an adventurous
hiker became famous.
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| another view near the camp |
Canyonlands has four districts, the Island in the Sky, the
Needles, the Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon. The last two are not easily
accessible. It was south of Horseshoe Canyon where Aron Ralston, on a day hike,
slipped into a slit rock where he was pinned for 127 hours (the title of the
movie of his ordeal, the book is “Between a rock and a Hard Place”) until he amazingly courageously cut off his arm just below
the elbow to free himself and save his life. The Maze is Canyonlands at its
wildest, a 30-square mile of sandstone puzzle.
Needles, the Maze, and Horseshoe Canyon. The last two are not easily
accessible. It was south of Horseshoe Canyon where Aron Ralston, on a day hike,
slipped into a slit rock where he was pinned for 127 hours (the title of the
movie of his ordeal, the book is “Between a rock and a Hard Place”) until he amazingly courageously cut off his arm just below
the elbow to free himself and save his life. The Maze is Canyonlands at its
wildest, a 30-square mile of sandstone puzzle.
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| the Needles behind us at Canyonlands |
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| Big Spring Overlook at Canyonlands |
The Needles are rock pinnacles banded in red and white where
earth movements fractured the rocks and water’s freezing and thawing eroded it
further into a jumbled pile. Though they dominate the scenic drive to and from
the Visitor Center, other land forms of spires, arches, canyons, grabens,
mushrooms, and potholes are all around. At the Big Spring Canyon Overlook there
is a trail (which Bill braved) that ends at the confluence of the Colorado
River and the Green River which carved the canyons.
earth movements fractured the rocks and water’s freezing and thawing eroded it
further into a jumbled pile. Though they dominate the scenic drive to and from
the Visitor Center, other land forms of spires, arches, canyons, grabens,
mushrooms, and potholes are all around. At the Big Spring Canyon Overlook there
is a trail (which Bill braved) that ends at the confluence of the Colorado
River and the Green River which carved the canyons.
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| Bill at the Green River Overlook of Island in the Sky in Canyonlands |
Beyond is the last district, the Island in the Sky. But, as we were leaving Needles, a an almost
chimney rock, glowing in pink, stood out amongst the others. We stayed
overnight at Moab and in the morning we drove to the two best overlooks of the
Island in the Sky: Green River and Grand View Point. Both had Mars-type
landscapes in the expansive canyons but the sun shone on Green River more.
Grand View, the glow of the afternoon
sun, offers an expansive stunning vista around the two mighty rivers.
chimney rock, glowing in pink, stood out amongst the others. We stayed
overnight at Moab and in the morning we drove to the two best overlooks of the
Island in the Sky: Green River and Grand View Point. Both had Mars-type
landscapes in the expansive canyons but the sun shone on Green River more.
Grand View, the glow of the afternoon
sun, offers an expansive stunning vista around the two mighty rivers.
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| Reef View,preview of Capitol Reef National Park |
Interstate 70 through western Colorado and southern Utah is
a scenic route. Book cliffs, Reef View (a preview of Capitol Reefs National
Park), Wedge Overlook, Dragon Mountain, Big Rock Candy Mountain, highway
intrusions into the red hills, and all other sorts of formations in varying
hues from white to red to black studded the desert landscape. Even snow-capped
mountains from afar and green fields amid arid landscapes interplayed with all
of them.
a scenic route. Book cliffs, Reef View (a preview of Capitol Reefs National
Park), Wedge Overlook, Dragon Mountain, Big Rock Candy Mountain, highway
intrusions into the red hills, and all other sorts of formations in varying
hues from white to red to black studded the desert landscape. Even snow-capped
mountains from afar and green fields amid arid landscapes interplayed with all
of them.
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| Big Rock Candy Mountain |
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| at the Court of the Patriarchs in Zion |
Zion (meaning sanctuary) National Park is a spectacular of
soaring cliffs in varying hues: the huge red Watchman near the Visitor’s
Center, the majestic Tower of the Virgins composed of the West Temple, the
Sundial, and the Altar of Sacrifice behind the Museum of Natural History, the spectacular
Court of Patriarchs with Abraham’s, Jacob’s, and Isaac’s Peaks, and the spectacular
trio of Organ, the Great White Throne, and the Angel’s Landing from Big Bend,
and the Temple of Sinawua that leads to the unusual world of the Narrows all crafted
by the Virgin River, the first-ever Federally protected river.
soaring cliffs in varying hues: the huge red Watchman near the Visitor’s
Center, the majestic Tower of the Virgins composed of the West Temple, the
Sundial, and the Altar of Sacrifice behind the Museum of Natural History, the spectacular
Court of Patriarchs with Abraham’s, Jacob’s, and Isaac’s Peaks, and the spectacular
trio of Organ, the Great White Throne, and the Angel’s Landing from Big Bend,
and the Temple of Sinawua that leads to the unusual world of the Narrows all crafted
by the Virgin River, the first-ever Federally protected river.
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| Temple of the Virgins in Zion |
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| Kolob Canyons, part of Zion |
The next day we also made it a point to complete the Kolob
Canyons, a separated part of the Zion National Park that was on the way to
Bryce Canyon National Park. The soaring heights of Ranch Mountain, Beatty
Point, Nagunt Mesa, Timber Top Mountain, and Shuntavi Butte made a spectacular
astoundingly large vista.
Canyons, a separated part of the Zion National Park that was on the way to
Bryce Canyon National Park. The soaring heights of Ranch Mountain, Beatty
Point, Nagunt Mesa, Timber Top Mountain, and Shuntavi Butte made a spectacular
astoundingly large vista.
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| Bryce Point in Bryce Canyon |
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| the Arch in Bryce Canyon |
But Bryce Canyon is truly something else. The hoodoos,
intricate formations from erosion still being crafted after millions of years,
created such a unique land form of seeming cities for extraterrestrial beings.
Rainbow Point at over 9,000 ft in elevation, to Agua Canyon, Bryce Point, Pariah
View, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point,
and Fairy Land along the 37-mile roundtrip drive through the Park to Visitor Center at 7,000 ft. elevation are all
breathtaking stops.
intricate formations from erosion still being crafted after millions of years,
created such a unique land form of seeming cities for extraterrestrial beings.
Rainbow Point at over 9,000 ft in elevation, to Agua Canyon, Bryce Point, Pariah
View, Inspiration Point, Sunset Point,
and Fairy Land along the 37-mile roundtrip drive through the Park to Visitor Center at 7,000 ft. elevation are all
breathtaking stops.
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| Fairyland in Bryce Canyon |
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| yes, there was still snow on Highway 14 going back to camp |
On the way to Bryce we took I-15 North to Highway 20 East,
then Highway 89 South and then Highway 12 East to the Park, passing by the Red
Canyon National Monument. On the way back to the camp, we took the other more
scenic route, through Highway 12 West, Highway 89 South, then Highway 14 West
and back to I-15. Highway 14 took us to almost 10,000 feet I elevation and
there was still snow all around. That was a pleasant surprise: the warmth of
the desert below and the cool of the snow in spring above.
then Highway 89 South and then Highway 12 East to the Park, passing by the Red
Canyon National Monument. On the way back to the camp, we took the other more
scenic route, through Highway 12 West, Highway 89 South, then Highway 14 West
and back to I-15. Highway 14 took us to almost 10,000 feet I elevation and
there was still snow all around. That was a pleasant surprise: the warmth of
the desert below and the cool of the snow in spring above.
For more of the desert, and of a slightly different kind, Las
Vegas…here we come!
Vegas…here we come!
How Much Snow Can Pile Up on Your RV Roof Every Winter?
Categories: Colorado
Finding an answer to how much snow our Northwood Arctic Fox RV roof can safely hold without causing water damage.
OLA: Driving Through Cowboy Country!
Categories: Colorado, Kansas
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| Buffalo Bill’s in his birthplace, Oakley, Kansas |
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| @ Olive Garden in Joplin, Missouri with Rosemary and Jack! |
April 15 is a much nicer day for us than for the millions of
taxpayers in the Philippines or the US.
It is, after all, the birthday of Bill’s only sister, Rosemary. And, if you knew her, you would want her in
your life, too! So it was such a pleasure to take her and husband Jack to Olive
Garden in Joplin, Missouri. All of us had not been to the popular Italian
restaurant for a couple of years. And
the following night we even had (we got home too late on her day) celebrated it
again with left over champagne from Becky’s wedding!
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| a red cardinal and two yellow finches in the Docks’ garden! |
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| Alley on her throne @ the Docks! |
So much of nature is viewable from the sunroom of their
lovely home. A red bud tree was aflame nearby. Bill was able to take a
priceless shot of a red cardinal and two yellow finches below their bird feeder.
And a new cat, Alley, owner of the cozy throne/chair in the room, eyed me with
suspicion as I took it from her during TV nights. A bright scene of alfalfa
among the greens struck me on the road to Joplin. And, just in front of Olive
Garden, there was a Bradford pear tree abuzz with white flowers!
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| at the western entrance to Dodge City, Kansas |
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| Longhorn Steer in downtown Dodge City, Kansas |
But a couple of days later, after the necessary repairs on
‘turn, we were on the road again back first to Denver at Suzanne’s home and
then hopefully to Hurricane, Utah where the RV is stored. And the weather turned nasty. Thus we chose to skip the Nebraska run altogether and chose a more southern, though longer route.
We stopped for the
night at Dodge City. It was 41 degrees Fahrenheit with 28 mph winds, thus feeling like 29! But, we managed to take shots of the Longhorn steer and
Wyatt Earp statues in downtown Dodge City. And the Cattle Feed Lot
Overlook, at the city’s western entrance, reminds all that the city is the
Cowboy Capital of the World. Just before this sign are the Santa Fe Rail
Tracks, where the wagon wheel ruts of the westward era remain protected for
future generations.
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| Santa Fe Rail Tracks in Dodge City, Kansas |
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| cattle feed lot |
After the quick photo-ops, we snuggled
under the warmth of our covers in our motel for the night. We woke up the next
morning with the TV spectacle of the ongoing hunt of the remaining Boston
Marathon bomber, the older one having been killed the previous night. So we
proceeded to Denver where Suzanne, Bill’s daughter, lives. On the way, we saw many cattle feed lots,
a definite sign that we were in beef country.
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| the Big Well in Greensburg, Kansas |
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| a mirroring of white splashes |
We were fascinated with the Big Well in Greensburg, Kansas. It is the largest hand-dug well in the world,195 feet deep and 30 feet wide. The splashes of
white cumulus clouds against the bright blue sky are mirrored as patches of spring snow against the brown fields. In Oakley, where Buffalo Bill lived, we stopped
briefly at the Buffalo Bill Cultural Center. We found out that his
grave is in Golden, Colorado where also stands the Buffalo Bill Museum.
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| World’s Wonder View Tower |
We had driven across the road many times going to and from Suzanne’s and Rosemary’s homes but this time, about 50 miles into Colorado from
the Kansas state line, we spotted the World’s Wonder View Tower. It is a
tourist trap with 50,000 different bottles atop which one can see six states. After arriving in Denver but before going to Suzanne’s, we
had to stop at Best Buy to get an external mouse because my laptop’s internal
one died the night before. We also got to sample Arby’s new dollar menu.
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| Bill and Devin @ the Coca-Cola Freestyle kiosk in theAMC theatre |
As soon as we got to Suzanne’s, we went to the tennis open
where Devin was participating. Although he did not win the match, it was such a
tight one that I held my breath during each battle of long rallies. The next day, the whole troop minus Suzanne went to see
Jurassic Park 3D at the AMC Promenade. I was amazed at the Coca-Cola Freestyle
kiosks where you can concoct 100+ drinks of your choice. Bill and I chose a mix
of Barq’s original and vanilla plus Mr. Pibb’s classic and vanilla to
complement a large bag of popcorn! These are exactly the same kiosks they had
at the World of Coke in Atlanta, Georgia!
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| Guitar Hero with Cassie! |
Back home at the Harper’s, after a miserable performance on
Guitar Hero for me, Devin emerged an undisputable rock star, challenged only by Suzanne. On Sunday, Bill made French toast for everyone. Later, after
rocking with Suzanne and Cassie in Dance Central 3, we went to Yak and Yeti, an
Indian/Tibetan buffet, and then to mass. But we stayed another day not
only to wait for our package, courtesy of Deejay, of our mail and things we
left behind in Seattle. Our car battery had also gone kapoot. Good Sam, our road assistance program, sent
a tow truck right away. And now for the wait…before we can go back to our RV in Utah! IN the meantime, it is snowing again…in the middle of spring!
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| @ Yak and Yeti with Devin and Cassie |
Wrong Way Snowbirding
Categories: Colorado
A sudden Rocky Mountain snowstorm and moose visit in Red Feather Lakes Colorado catches RVing snowbirds by surprise.
OLA: Rushing to a Wedding in Pittsburg!
Categories: Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska
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| glistening trees, laden with frozen rain, amid the greens of early spring |
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| Suzanne with her Dad amid spring snow! |
This post was supposed to be entitled ‘Braving the Spring
Snow” since we knew that snowy days were coming during the last two days of our
stay with the Happy Harpers in Westminster, Colorado. However, since we were not prepared for
the wintry blasts, Bill and I dropped our
plans of going northeast on I-80 to Scottsbluff, Nebraska to see the famed Chimney Rock and to Kearney,
Nebraska to catch the migration of 80%
of sand hill cranes in the world. Instead we opted to proceed to the wedding in
Pittsburg, Kansas on a more southern, warmer, more direct route, along I-70.
Snow” since we knew that snowy days were coming during the last two days of our
stay with the Happy Harpers in Westminster, Colorado. However, since we were not prepared for
the wintry blasts, Bill and I dropped our
plans of going northeast on I-80 to Scottsbluff, Nebraska to see the famed Chimney Rock and to Kearney,
Nebraska to catch the migration of 80%
of sand hill cranes in the world. Instead we opted to proceed to the wedding in
Pittsburg, Kansas on a more southern, warmer, more direct route, along I-70.
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| the Eisenhower boyhood home in Abilene, Kansas |
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| deployment at Normandy Beach, including artificial harbors |
The boyhood home of Dwight Eisenhower, one of 7 sons of
Pennsylvania Dutch parents with strong work ethic and religious background, is
in Abilene, Kansas. He was America’s beloved leader in war and in peace. The
Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, he orchestrated the defeat of
the Nazis through the largest military deployment (156,000 soldiers, 4,000
planes, and 4,000 ships) on D-Day (June 6, 1944) at Normandy Beach in France. Almost
a year later, the Nazis surrendered on May 8, 1945. This became known as V-E (Victory
in Europe) Day.
Pennsylvania Dutch parents with strong work ethic and religious background, is
in Abilene, Kansas. He was America’s beloved leader in war and in peace. The
Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces in Europe, he orchestrated the defeat of
the Nazis through the largest military deployment (156,000 soldiers, 4,000
planes, and 4,000 ships) on D-Day (June 6, 1944) at Normandy Beach in France. Almost
a year later, the Nazis surrendered on May 8, 1945. This became known as V-E (Victory
in Europe) Day.
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| Eisenhower towers over the grounds of his Library and Museum |
He earned the respect of the leaders in the international
arena and the love of the American people. He was ushered into a 2-term presidency
that oversaw the peace time prosperity period of America, the brisk reconstruction of Europe, and the deft handling of the Cold War after WWII. The Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library
and Museum stands in his home town. Of
course, Bill is very proud that he hails from Kansas! His is the 29th Presidential Library and museum we have been to!
arena and the love of the American people. He was ushered into a 2-term presidency
that oversaw the peace time prosperity period of America, the brisk reconstruction of Europe, and the deft handling of the Cold War after WWII. The Dwight D Eisenhower Presidential Library
and Museum stands in his home town. Of
course, Bill is very proud that he hails from Kansas! His is the 29th Presidential Library and museum we have been to!
On the way to Wichita, Kansas we passed through so many
scrub oaks that glistened from the freezing rain that covered their leafless blackened
branches. I could not stop taking photos which just could not seem to capture
the sparkle of the trees.
scrub oaks that glistened from the freezing rain that covered their leafless blackened
branches. I could not stop taking photos which just could not seem to capture
the sparkle of the trees.
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| Bill in front of the Original Pizza Hut in Wichita, Kansas |
In Wichita we had planned on having a big dinner at the Original
Pizza Hut. Gene Bicknell, a graduate of the same university as Bill, Pittsburg
State University (PSU), is most well-known as founder of NPC International Inc.,
the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee. NPC has 794 restaurants and 18,000
employees in 27 states make up 12 percent of the domestic Pizza Hut system (more
than five times the size of the next-largest franchisee).
Pizza Hut. Gene Bicknell, a graduate of the same university as Bill, Pittsburg
State University (PSU), is most well-known as founder of NPC International Inc.,
the world’s largest Pizza Hut franchisee. NPC has 794 restaurants and 18,000
employees in 27 states make up 12 percent of the domestic Pizza Hut system (more
than five times the size of the next-largest franchisee).
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| the Wichita State University caterpillar |
Because of this, the bypass that
goes around Pittsburg has been named the Bicknell Highway. The O. Gene Bicknell Center for Entrepreneurship
at the PSU campus is also named in his honor. But we found out that the little
building where Pizza Hut started stands there just as a monument, on the campus
of Wichita State University along with many interesting sculptures on site. That
night, for memory’s sake, we still had our dinner at an operating Pizza Hut
store nearby.
goes around Pittsburg has been named the Bicknell Highway. The O. Gene Bicknell Center for Entrepreneurship
at the PSU campus is also named in his honor. But we found out that the little
building where Pizza Hut started stands there just as a monument, on the campus
of Wichita State University along with many interesting sculptures on site. That
night, for memory’s sake, we still had our dinner at an operating Pizza Hut
store nearby.
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| Tommy and Becky, a story made in heaven |
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| the locked-in wine ceremony toast |
We arrived at the Docks’ (Rosemary, Bill’s sister, and Jack
her husband) home in Pittsburg in the mid afternoon of a Friday. The following
day, April 13, was the festive wedding reception for about 150 guests of Becky (Rosemary’s
youngest child and only daughter) and Tommy.
Becky is a Pittsburg policewoman and Tommy is a Frontenac (a nearby
town) policeman. They actually had been married on April 10 at Beaver Lake, a
beautiful lakeside cottage near Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
her husband) home in Pittsburg in the mid afternoon of a Friday. The following
day, April 13, was the festive wedding reception for about 150 guests of Becky (Rosemary’s
youngest child and only daughter) and Tommy.
Becky is a Pittsburg policewoman and Tommy is a Frontenac (a nearby
town) policeman. They actually had been married on April 10 at Beaver Lake, a
beautiful lakeside cottage near Eureka Springs, Arkansas.
The theme of the wedding was unique…‘camouflage’! The tablecloths
and room décor used both traditional and pink camouflage designs; the wedding
favors, and even the wedding gifts and cards all blended well. The bride and
groom, wearing tennis shoes, was such a perfect match despite the more than a
foot difference in height.
and room décor used both traditional and pink camouflage designs; the wedding
favors, and even the wedding gifts and cards all blended well. The bride and
groom, wearing tennis shoes, was such a perfect match despite the more than a
foot difference in height.
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| a romantic first dance! |
Dinner was absolutely delicious ricotta from the famous Pallucca grocer and deli in Frontenac and famous Pittsburg fried chicken and lots of sides. As a matter of fact, even the appetizers were all my favorites: pork cracklings, cheese puffs, cashew nuts, colorful candy mints, and trail mixes. After the wine toast, the cake cutting, and the
first dance, lots of us danced the night away. The festivities lasted until 11
pm when the couple was herded on to their pick-up. Almost 100 of the pink and black balloons that
had added to the festive atmosphere in the hall had been tied to the back of the pickup to give them a push towards their ‘honeymoon’.
It was a fun, and nice, Kansas wedding!
first dance, lots of us danced the night away. The festivities lasted until 11
pm when the couple was herded on to their pick-up. Almost 100 of the pink and black balloons that
had added to the festive atmosphere in the hall had been tied to the back of the pickup to give them a push towards their ‘honeymoon’.
It was a fun, and nice, Kansas wedding!
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| at the back of their get-away pick-up truck with lots of balloons! |
Calling All Hippies, Northern Colorado Earthship for Sale
Categories: Colorado
Hand-built eco-friendly earthship property home for sale near Fort Collins Colorado.
OLA: Driving from White Sands to Red Hills to White Mountains!
Categories: Colorado
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| the red hills at Glenwood Springs, view from our motel |
After April Fools’ Day we left the comfort and excitement of
Palm Springs, California to begin our trek to Pittsburg, Kansas for the wedding
of Bill’s niece, Becky Pallucca. The first part of the road trip would take us
to a short visit with Suzanne, Bill’s daughter, in Westminster, Colorado. As it
turned out, I-10, I-15 and I-70, the three highways that give the fastest route
from California to Nevada, through
Arizona, and then to Colorado are also unbelievably scenic. Literally we drove
from white sands to red hills to white mountains.
Palm Springs, California to begin our trek to Pittsburg, Kansas for the wedding
of Bill’s niece, Becky Pallucca. The first part of the road trip would take us
to a short visit with Suzanne, Bill’s daughter, in Westminster, Colorado. As it
turned out, I-10, I-15 and I-70, the three highways that give the fastest route
from California to Nevada, through
Arizona, and then to Colorado are also unbelievably scenic. Literally we drove
from white sands to red hills to white mountains.
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| windfarms off I-10 in southeast California |
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| cause of the road delay on I-10 |
On I-10 we were first reminded of the wind farms of southeast California but soon a long queue of vehicles blocked
the highway. We later found out that a delivery truck was burning just off the road
ahead of us. After a delay of at most half an hour we spotted Joshua trees. After
an hour from the turn onto I-15, there was this wide white splash that became bigger
and bigger. It was Devil’s Playground just before the Mojave National Preserve.
It was white desert.
the highway. We later found out that a delivery truck was burning just off the road
ahead of us. After a delay of at most half an hour we spotted Joshua trees. After
an hour from the turn onto I-15, there was this wide white splash that became bigger
and bigger. It was Devil’s Playground just before the Mojave National Preserve.
It was white desert.
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| the Devil’s Playground off I-10 in southeast California |
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| Mojave National Preerve off I-10 in southeast California |
Soon the playground of the desert, the Gambling Capital of
the World called Las Vegas, loomed larger and larger on the horizon. We will be
back in the city for a month, first at the Las Vegas Casino and Hotel for a
treat then at Thousand Trails’ Las Vegas Resort. Actually just after the border
of California and right before the border of Arizona are some of Nevada’s mega
casinos, too! Then we had a short
rendezvous with Arizona, touching the northwestern tip of the Grand Canyon.
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| las vegas on the horizon |
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| red hills off I-70 in Utah |
By the late afternoon we were in the beautiful state of
Utah. The city of St. George, like Sedona, has red rocks surrounding it. We
camped at the St. George RV Resort (KOA) for the night in the small town just
past St. George named Hurricane. Early the next morning we stored M’A at their
storage facility and headed out to Westminster with just our little ‘turn.
Utah. The city of St. George, like Sedona, has red rocks surrounding it. We
camped at the St. George RV Resort (KOA) for the night in the small town just
past St. George named Hurricane. Early the next morning we stored M’A at their
storage facility and headed out to Westminster with just our little ‘turn.
From snow-capped Cedar Breaks and its Brian Head Summit to
the Big Rock Candy Mountain of the Fishlake National Forest I could not put down our Nikon. Devils’ and Eagles’ Canyons led us to
picturesque Book Cliffs and then to the Roan Cliffs. Small patches of green
among white, light and dark greys, yellow, pink, red and brown rocks jut out of
the rocky landscape right up to the edge of Utah and Colorado.
the Big Rock Candy Mountain of the Fishlake National Forest I could not put down our Nikon. Devils’ and Eagles’ Canyons led us to
picturesque Book Cliffs and then to the Roan Cliffs. Small patches of green
among white, light and dark greys, yellow, pink, red and brown rocks jut out of
the rocky landscape right up to the edge of Utah and Colorado.
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| red hills off I-70 in Utah |
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| Idaho Springs frozen waterfall |
We stopped for the night in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. The
view from our motel room was of a red hill swathed with some of last winter’s
snow. Bill had a very relaxing time at
the motel’s hot tub with this perfect view (I couldn’t!). Then we went shopping
for shoes because I had left my only pair of closed shoes in Seattle. The next morning, as we drove to Westminster,
I thought we had gone from a summer desert to a winter playground!’ We even spotted a frozen waterfall! The
mountains turned increasingly white as we rose to almost 12,000 ft. in
elevation. But, of course, we dropped down to just above 5,000 when we got
closer to Westminster.
view from our motel room was of a red hill swathed with some of last winter’s
snow. Bill had a very relaxing time at
the motel’s hot tub with this perfect view (I couldn’t!). Then we went shopping
for shoes because I had left my only pair of closed shoes in Seattle. The next morning, as we drove to Westminster,
I thought we had gone from a summer desert to a winter playground!’ We even spotted a frozen waterfall! The
mountains turned increasingly white as we rose to almost 12,000 ft. in
elevation. But, of course, we dropped down to just above 5,000 when we got
closer to Westminster.
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| ski runs in Vail, Colorado |
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| Colorado white mountains in spring! |
The visit to the Harpers was quite memorable especially when
Devin, just turned 14, won the championship at the Lewis Tennis School Spring
Fling 2013 B14. That day was really a celebration; Suzanne even bought me
chocolate therapy! The night before was hilarious with the rented Redbox movie,
“Here’s the Boom’! More about the Happy
Harpers when we come back through Westminster after attending the wedding in Pittsburg,
Kansas and returning to Hurricane, Utah for a week in the national parks with
M’A ‘turn!
Devin, just turned 14, won the championship at the Lewis Tennis School Spring
Fling 2013 B14. That day was really a celebration; Suzanne even bought me
chocolate therapy! The night before was hilarious with the rented Redbox movie,
“Here’s the Boom’! More about the Happy
Harpers when we come back through Westminster after attending the wedding in Pittsburg,
Kansas and returning to Hurricane, Utah for a week in the national parks with
M’A ‘turn!
 |
| Devin with the runner-ups! |
Favorite Places to Camp in the West
Categories: Arizona, Boondocking, California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, Washington
Full-time RVer chooses favorite places to go RV camping in western states including Washington, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Utah and Texas.
Top 20 Travel Destinations for 2012
Categories: Boondocking, California, Colorado, Utah, Washington
1. Anza Borrego Desert: Our new year most always begins here. This is our happy place, our attitude adjustment, our return on investment. Overwhelmingly beautiful, yet fierce and unforgiving; it suits our fancy. Boondock favo…
Top 20 Travel Destinations for 2012
Categories: Boondocking, California, Colorado, Utah, Washington
1. Anza Borrego Desert: Our new year most always begins here. This is our happy place, our attitude adjustment, our return on investment. Overwhelmingly beautiful, yet fierce and unforgiving; it suits our fancy. Boondock favo…
Top 20 Travel Destinations for 2012
Categories: Boondocking, California, Colorado, Utah, Washington
1. Anza Borrego Desert: Our new year most always begins here. This is our happy place, our attitude adjustment, our return on investment. Overwhelmingly beautiful, yet fierce and unforgiving; it suits our fancy. Boondock favo…
Freebie Roadside Attractions Lead to Sand Creek Massacre Site
Categories: Colorado
Eastern Colorado Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site well worth a stop on our road trip adventures.
Fred and Barney didn’t dwell in these historical ruins….
Categories: Colorado
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| Anasazi Heritage Center-Dolores, CO |
Near Cortez, CO is one of the most interesting and beautifully curated visitor centers, Anasazi Heritage Center, that we have encountered on exploring our “bucket list” of national parks. A mere 3 miles outside of Dolores and 10 miles from Cortez this center was educational, interesting, visually gratifying and was filled with artifacts that have been excavated from the nearby Canyons of the Ancients sites.
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| Overlay of Anasazi cultures in the area |
Displays of pottery by the period created, hands on educational displays, and even a replica of a pueblo and kiva that is accessible for close up viewing.
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| Educational drawers |
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| Anasazi pottery 900-1150 A.D. |
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| Sand Canyon site map |
According to the information panels scattered around,Sand Canyon Pueblo consisted of 420 rooms, 100 kivas and 14 towers, in 13 room block. A community of several hundred people lived here between A.D. 1245 – 1290, and is twice as large Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde NP. Excavation of the pueblo community was done between 1983 – 1993 and then re-buried to preserve the ruins.
Our day continued as we moved on to Painted Hand Pueblo….
We ended our day at Hovenweep National Monument….stunningly beautiful, easy 2 mile stroll of the rim loop that captures both cliff dwelling and pueblo houses…well their remains at least.
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| Hovenweep National Monument & Visitor Center |
Visiting during October can be risky at this elevation we lucked out with clear sunny skies and a brisk mid 40′s afternoon. Although the ranger informed us that the loop was 1.5 hours, we managed to see all of it in roughly 60 minutes, which included descending to and crossing the canyon floor.
The trail map below gives you an idea of where the buildings were located along the canyon rim.
If you are in Cortez you can see these and a few others that we didn’t get to this trip. It certainly was worth the drive. (I have included a separate slideshow on the right side of my blog with additional pictures of all three sites.)
~ Ciao
Fred and Barney didn’t dwell in these historical ruins….
Categories: Colorado
|
| Anasazi Heritage Center-Dolores, CO |
Near Cortez, CO is one of the most interesting and beautifully curated visitor centers, Anasazi Heritage Center, that we have encountered on exploring our “bucket list” of national parks. A mere 3 miles outside of Dolores and 10 miles from Cortez this center was educational, interesting, visually gratifying and was filled with artifacts that have been excavated from the nearby Canyons of the Ancients sites.
|
| Overlay of Anasazi cultures in the area |
Displays of pottery by the period created, hands on educational displays, and even a replica of a pueblo and kiva that is accessible for close up viewing.
|
| Educational drawers |
|
| Anasazi pottery 900-1150 A.D. |
|
| Sand Canyon site map |
According to the information panels scattered around,Sand Canyon Pueblo consisted of 420 rooms, 100 kivas and 14 towers, in 13 room block. A community of several hundred people lived here between A.D. 1245 – 1290, and is twice as large Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde NP. Excavation of the pueblo community was done between 1983 – 1993 and then re-buried to preserve the ruins.
Our day continued as we moved on to Painted Hand Pueblo….
We ended our day at Hovenweep National Monument….stunningly beautiful, easy 2 mile stroll of the rim loop that captures both cliff dwelling and pueblo houses…well their remains at least.
|
| Hovenweep National Monument & Visitor Center |
Visiting during October can be risky at this elevation we lucked out with clear sunny skies and a brisk mid 40′s afternoon. Although the ranger informed us that the loop was 1.5 hours, we managed to see all of it in roughly 60 minutes, which included descending to and crossing the canyon floor.
The trail map below gives you an idea of where the buildings were located along the canyon rim.
If you are in Cortez you can see these and a few others that we didn’t get to this trip. It certainly was worth the drive. (I have included a separate slideshow on the right side of my blog with additional pictures of all three sites.)
~ Ciao
Pagosa Springs, CO
Categories: Colorado
After three weeks in and around St. George it was time to move on. This is a great town, with lots to see and do, and the whole World Senior Games production an amazing experience. But, honestly I was ready for a change.The beautiful St. Ge…
If you’ve seen one ARCH, you may have…
Categories: Colorado, Utah
seen them all. Well, Landscape and Delicate Arches are unique and not just another, ah,
hole-in-the-wall. With that being said, the park is beautiful in a rugged-high desert-red dust- everywhere kind of way.
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| Visitor center plaza |
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| Landscape Arch |
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| Delicate Arch
|
No one really needs a guided tour, via my blog, of the Arches National Park, the landscape simply yields them without much effort. We spent 5 days touring the area around Moab, UT which has a number of national parks/bureau of land management recreation areas in which one can partake in whatever activity is of interest to you. There is a system of bike trails that parallel the main highways, hiking – both in and out of the parks, rock climbing, para-sailing, off-road jeep/atv areas, fishing and hunting when in season. There is no shortage of things to do or see.
What becomes the challenge outside of driving past the formations of red dirt or following the trail guide to the nearest arch is locating the local art. Whether it is pictographs in a location that supports that history, as this @ Wolfe Ranch and is close to the parking lot for Delicate Arch trail head.
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| Wolfe Ranch pictographs |
So I look for the art that defines the character of the local populace. Whether it is ancient Indian writing, tourist traps (aka – ‘rest-stops’) or the city sponsored art walks I try to capture it. Here is some of what I found in and around Moab….
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| Indian writing on Hwy 279 to Potash |
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| Residential Gate decor |
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| Everyone loves a totem pole |
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| Metal Bull sculpture |
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| Bull nuts and bolts |
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| Artist rendition of Elvis’ hit |
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| Pizza delivery? out front of the shop
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We spent one day Dead Horse State Park – located within the Canyonlands Recreation Area
and while we took the usual bazillion still photos on two cameras this short 38 seconds will give you an idea of the view from most all of the viewpoints in the park. The park is beautiful and there is camping and hiking trails to enjoy.
Hope you enjoy our visit…the slide show on both Arches & Canyonlands provides more photos to fill out the spaces/gaps here.
~Ciao