Oct 24 &25 Biking and moving

Oct 24: Sunny. We went on the best, the absolute best bike trip ever. We rode the bikes into the Park, up to the shuttles, put the bikes into the bike rack on the front of the shuttle, sat inside the shuttle and went to the top of the canyon. ( note: operative word is “top” ). At the top of the canyon, we unloaded the bikes and proceeded down the canyon (operative word “down”. We basically coasted down the entire canyon. Not fast. Just a gentle coast with lots of time to look around the canyon. The road in the park is still closed to traffic, so we just had to listen for the shuttle ( they will not pass a moving bicycle, so you are expected to stop and let them passed ). We had to let 2 shuttles by. One hour later, we were back at the Park entrance. Pedalling was necessary for to little uphills. Yes, my kind of biking!!



Oct 25: Sunny. Up and on the road by 8:30. We drove east, through the 1.1 mile long tunnel. With RV’s, the tunnel is too low on the sides, so they have to stop the traffic and you drive down the middle of the tunnel. Fortunately, this is not a busy route ( at least, this time of year). We stopped to see some ancient aboriginal homes - these ones were made with stones and mortar. This was east of the Grand Canyon. The drive from Flagstaff to here was very the same - flat, sagebrush, flat, sagebrush. Then we headed east, and have stopped at Holbrook. The Full moon rising over the very flat landscape is very surreal!!

Oct 23

Sunny. We went on a loop tour south of Zion in the jeep. David and Hilda ( stranded Albertans ) came along and it was great having someone else to talk to. First we went to coral sand Dunes State Park - which were coral sand dunes. Then we stopped at Pipe Springs National Monument were they have a settlers home and ranch. It had been a thriving grasslands with the ranch supplying beef, butter and cheese to many of the Morman centers - but now it is desert with sagebrush. David took us out for dinner to Oscar’s - great food!!! Life is good.

Oct 22

Cool this morning, but the wind and the clouds are gone. We went up into Zion again. First we hiked to the Weeping Rock with its walls of garden. And then we decided to try the hike to Angel’s landing. It was a hike up 1488 feet up into the sky.


Most of the way was a very steep 3-4 feet wide path -- until the last half mile -- then it got really “interesting”. There was a chain up on side and you hiked along ledges of sandstone that were about 2 – 3 feet wide, slanting downward, and on both sides, the ground was 1000 feet down. It was quite an adventure both going up and down. But on the top !!!!!!! the view was unbelievable. I took at least 100 pictures. Condors were soaring above and below us. “Angel’s landing” is very appropriately named. I am so glad that we did this hike - the pain will be great tomorrow.

Oct 21 North West of Zion

Sunny, and cloud, and windy and coolish. We decided to drive up the west side of Zion, up to a reservoir. We continued passed the lake onto dirt roads. (Now that we have a jeep, we can go anywhere. ) As we got higher and further north, the road and countryside turned white, covered with fresh snow. In the aspens, we kept looking for the hidden wolves.




When we got back, we met our neighbours in a fifth wheel. They live in Barrhead, Alberta. They had a truck transmission breakdown 29 minutes east of here, and had their home towed to this campsite. And here they will stay until they’re truck is fixed. We offered to drive them back to get their truck later this week.

Oct 20 Bryce Canyon

Another beautiful, sunny day, though the wind is blowing quite hard. Further north around Salt Lake, there are forecasts of snow. Headed east and north to Bryce Canyon National Park. Going there, you drive through a tunnel, which is over a mile long, and is basically one way, because the RVs need to drive down the center to get enough height. Bryce canyon is viewed from the top. The road is to the west of the canyon, and you look down and out over the countryside. Amazing views!!! But the road is 8000 - 9100 ft above sea level so ... it was very cold and the wind was howling. Fortunately, the viewpoints were right by the lookouts, so it was out the car, quickly look and take the pictures, then back to the warmth of the car. But BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

Oct 17 - 18

Woke up this morning to blue skies and lots of snow on the local mountains - I mean LOTS of fresh snow. We decided to spend another day driving to get to the warm and dry. Just after we left Salt Lake City, the clouds disappeared. We camped at Zion RV Resort - at the entrance to Zion National Park. We are here for a week.

Woke to clear blue skies!! We set off to explore the park. It’s incredible - there are free shuttles from town to the park entrance and free shuttles into the park. Only people staying at Lodge in the park are allowed to bring their cars in. Everyone else must ride the shuttles - which run about every 6 minutes and are comfortable and have a driver providing very useful info. A transportation system that really works!! We hiked to the 3 emerald pools, then lunch, and an easy river walk. Legs are tired so, shuttle home, and time for a nap. Did I mention that it is sunny and 74!!

The Beginning Days

Early Monday we headed south, stopping first in Burlington then on to Pasco, Wa. Camp is right on major Highway - and America does not sleep. Tuesday,up early to get the Home into servicing to get some lights repaired. We went to a state park on the exact same day that Lewis & Clark did - only they were there first – in 1805. Nice place to stop for a picnic. By noon the home was done and we continued south and east. In the afternoon, we had rain and cloud and dark. Stopped in Baker City, near a railway track ( trains do not sleep either ) and they had already turn off the water for the winter. There was a lot of snow very close to us.


Wednesday, the weather forecast is not good - cold, and snow, and rain, and wind. But the sun and light cloud seemed to follow us all the way to Ogden city in Utah. Stayed right by the highway again, and a train was not far away. Just as we finished cleaning up after dinner, there was a bang, and the lights ( electricity ) went out. A transformer exploded at a gas station. Power was back on at 2:00 AM( so we are told. ) Fortunately, we have batteries, so we were just fine.

Driving toward Salt lake City