Zion and Bryce

The drive heading east from Zion is called the Zion Park Scenic Byway and it really has amazing scenery the whole drive. The Mount Carmel tunnel, completed in 1930, is an experience itself. The 1.1 mile long tunnel is dark, except for the occasional rock cut out window. It has height and width limits and vehicles over 11’4” have to pay a $15.00 fee so they can shut down the tunnel for just that vehicle and they have to drive down the middle. Luckily my van fit just fine. 

On to Bryce! I headed for Ruby’s Inn RV park located just outside the entrance. It is a very nice park with hook ups, trees and decent sized spaces. It also has showers and laundry.  Bryce was cold as I went early in the morning, and the main trails were closed due to snow and ice, but I easily traveled the rim trails and enjoyed a very uncrowded visit. 

Arches National Park

Today was a great day. I have been reading about how bad the crowds are at the park and they recommended getting there before 9 AM. So I decided to take it further and got there at 6:30 AM. Nothing was manned yet and you could drive right in. There were very few cars around. I had a great day of hiking and exploring. I hiked the windows area, double arch, Devils Garden, Balanced Rock and several more. This is a spectacular place. The landscape changes around every corner and many arches are short hikes off the road. I parked at Devils Garden at about 9 AM. They have a huge parking lot and it was about 1/3 full. I was gone for about 2 hours and when I got back it was almost full.

The van fit in all the regular spots perfectly!

After a few more stops I finally left around noon. The line to get in was a mile long. I am exhausted but it is that good exhausted. Now for a shower, dinner and some ice cream!

Originally I planned to drive half way to The Tetons, but I might just make the whole trip in one day. I will decide in the morning.

Traveling to Zion

May 14 - ZION

I am feeling the joy of the open road!

The transition from the green forest, waterfalls and rivers of Yosemite took awhile. Coming out of the hills to flat desert at first seemed depressing. But slowly I was able to come to appreciate this  very different landscape.

Just over the border of Nevada is a mini casino town. I spent the night in a big parking lot of a casino called Buffalo Bills with a few other semis and 2 other RVs.

I have also come to a new appreciation of cruise control. The straight roads are a nice change from twisty mountain highways. I also see a lot of trains on this trip. Somehow, I don’t know why, they feel comforting. And sure enough Willie Nelson singing City of New Orleans comes on from my playlist.

Just as I am enjoying the desert, Las Vegas explodes out of the land and punches you in the face. The ginormous buildings, casinos and bill boards all scream at you and pull your eyes in all directions. But it passes fairly quickly and the peaceful desert takes over again.

The beautiful town of St. George gently pops up out of the desert. In big contrast to Vegas the town of St. George feels like it has made friends with the landscape, and even compliments it. The red rock

cliffs seem to hug the town and a big snow capped mountain stands watch in the distance.

On to Zion.

Yosemite

Day 2 of the Big Trip - I am waking up to a beautiful sunny morning in the middle of a beautiful forest. I stare out the window for awhile just taking in the fact that I am in Yosemite with so much beauty all around me. The waterfalls are bigger than I have ever remembered seeing them! The River is wilder.. there is no sign of the forecasted rain, but I know that can change quickly. 

The campground has been surprisingly quiet, the advantage of a weekday with school still in session. I know that will change this weekend. And the campground is about 25% empty. Yet it shows being full at the office. I think people just don’t cancel because the rates are so low here, particularly for seniors.

This is a Travato group ( my camper van face book group) gathering I have planned for a long time. We should have about 18 vans here. Unfortunately we are scattered thought out the valley.  Guess I better go find my people.

Day 3 - Thursday.

I am sitting here at 7 am enjoying a cup of coffee with a nice view all around me. The sky is slowly getting brighter and campers are starting to move. I am surprised there are so many tent campers as I know the nights have been getting down to 25. But I am toasty warm! I have not even used my heater. I am thinking the insulation I added is really helping.

Yesterday was a good day! The weather was perfect, even a little too hot in the afternoon. In the morning I walked around to find all my Travato friends who are scattered throughout the park. I then hiked for a couple hours and met up with a friend to shuttle around the park stopping for lunch and doing some exploring. I was pleasantly surprised to find the food court had added a Starbucks and treated myself to a frappachino for the ride home. 

Last night was a get together and campfire. So nice to finally have us all in one spot. The original gloomy weather forecast is back. It is supposed to rain today after 11 am. SO... I better 
get moving and get some hiking in before then.






Yesterday we had some crazy thunder and lightning and then it rained for about 2 hours. But that all started around 2pm. In the morning I took a nice long hike along the river. I ended up taking a wrong turn and extended my hike by about 40 minutes. It was all worth it. I am trying hard to build up my stamina for hikes in Utah. I have a potluck tonight with the TOAW group. It is supposed to be clear and it has been sunny all day.

Other than the one afternoon rain storm the weather has been perfect!