SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE
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Trip to the Sou’West 2018
Daily Journal
Day 1 Tuesday Sept 4th Low 90’s and very Humid!
Departed Auburn NH at 10:30am and made a Provisioning stop in Londonderry NH. This put us on the ‘road’ by 11:30am. Goal was to reach Pennsylvania. I left later mainly with the thought of staying in a parking lot and not wanting to show up too early in the day and be ‘blasted’ by the heat. Plan worked out about right since we arrived just before sunset.
I’ve traveled both I90 & I80 before this time I wanted I70 as our way out. Ended up being a good route. We stayed in Hazelton, PA at the Walmart on the first night. Several other campers there and a pretty good night, all things in perspective of camping in a park lot.
Pennsylvania was a welcoming sight! Now there’s something to look at!
Day 2 Wednesday Sept 5th Low Low 90’s less humid (yet still)
We drove from Hazelton to Hersey to visit the Chocolate World! Nice stop (in AC) to play for a bit and pickup a few things (ya, chocolate). Onward for there.
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The route brings you through the mountains of PA and ‘through’ 4 of them! I wasn’t expecting this so it was quite a treat going ‘though’ the mountains!
We landed in Zanesville Ohio (another Walmart) around 6:30pm. This one we had to ourselves until the wee hours of the morning (Colette marked it at 4am) when a Semi pulled in and ran his truck through the balance of the morning.
Day 3 Thursday Sept 6th Temps reduced a bit due to on & off rain
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First thing I’ll say, is when it rains in Ohio/Indiana it’s for short bursts, but man does it come down!
Next is I70 gets just a bit worst. Some areas bad for US standards (or what I’m used to), yet mostly decent. You get used to the sound of the road and our Truck/Trailer working in unison. These road roads change all that!
Lastly, do not drive through Indianapolis on I70. Go around! The road through town sucks (and that’s being nice)! You get caught in there during a down-pour, God help you! I thought twice I lost a wheel..
This is day 3 of the push and tomorrow we slow down a bit. We enter Route 66 tomorrow! I had planned on yet another almost stay, but it’s just been too hot and neither of us want to hit one early. I found a County Park, Fowler Campground, with water/electric for $20 for the night. Bath-house here as well (real toilets and decent showers). Tree’d, shady and on a cute little pond. Yes, nice little site for the night.
Day 4 Friday Sept 7th Mid 70’s most of the day Overcast and mild rain
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Temps are coming into normal in this area. Forecast is rain for most of where we’ll be traveling through at least tomorrow. I70is just as strange, maybe a bit better in Illinois. Missouri is even just a slight bit better.
I know I’m being tough on I70, but in the long run the run has been better then I remember of I80 for views as you travel through. There were a couple of off-the-beaten-path spots we could have checked out, yet.. Walmart really isn’t all that bad, especially if the store has what you need to provision up.
Today we stopped, for a few minutes, at Gateway Arch in St Louis. Three of the Parking Areas were ‘closed’. There just is not a place to park if in a RV of any sort (well maybe a Class B). What a bummer.. Pulled into a Bus/Trolley area (empty due to time of day and being Friday) and took a few pictures. Was told you could park by the Stadium.. also closed down.. Real shame.
Today we decided o skip running down Route 66 to New Mexico. The unusual high temps in the area was a big consideration. We can always run it on the return run. We pushed forward and landed in Boonsville, Missouri. I’m starting to think it’s the name of places that attracts me..
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Day 5 Saturday Sept 8th Mid to upper 60’s Overcast all day / some light rain
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Very good day for travel. Light rain started the day and overcast all day. Highest it reached was 68F, mainly 64F all day. Actually went for my coat at a rest stop, that was a nice change!
Still running I70 Missouri into Kansas. This stop is Hayes KS and yes, another Walmart. We both wanted BBQ and tried a Billy Simms BBQ, pretty good! Much better than our local home place that claims Kansas City BBQ..
Probably half way here (in Kansas that is) the scenery changed into much more openness. Plenty of rolling hills still, so you can’t see all that far except for on the top of a few of the hills. We’re more than half way through Kansas, so it will be interesting if that holds true the rest of the way.
Highway is still strange.. Road sings as you drive along and now the grooves are like the clattering of a train rolling along the tracks. One more day of Highway travel, we’ll see what the secondary roads are like pretty soon.
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Day 6 Sunday Sept 9th Started off 58F and cloudy Mostly cloudy day Mid 70’s
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What I didn’t realize yesterday was our slow climb was going to continue ‘all day’ today. Hayes, KS is at 2000ft, being 800ft higher when I realized we were steadily climbing and checked. Tonight, in Chief Hosa, CO, we’re at 5200ft. The other surprise to me was that entering Denver is just that, a long steady climb. I always thought of Denver as being in the mountains, but it’s just the entry to. Also surprised that it was all open prairie land coming into Denver. Not what I expected.
Colorado is tough on Walmart stays, which is weird due to the amount of BLM land around. Problem for me is I’m arriving too late to explore any. So here we are at Chief Hosa Campground for $27 a night. Water, electric and showers, but dump is an additional $23.. Really looking forward to BLM land in Utah! My outside shower and some privacy, space between sites!
Day 7 Monday Sept 10th Highs hit 90F, yet most of the run was mid 80’s
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We decided not to push for Moab and take a break for a day. I found a National Park most of the way there and grabbed a site.
Colorado National Monument should not be missed! This is quite a unique place, especially for us and never have seen a Mesa before or a Butte. Here you get it all in a small package, well not small by any means as of acreage or height, just very easy to see it all as you drive along their byway.
The drive here brought us through a few more tunnels and several canyons. What a beautiful drive! I70 doesn’t change much from what I’ve already said, but the scenery certainly does! You drive through several passes where the ski areas are (surprised me the area is so tight for space), the Canyons where awesome and along the Colorado River (nice clear water). When you clear the Rockies, you know it, Temp goes up!
The West entrance to Colorado National Monument is the one you want to get to the campground here. One heck of a climb up the Mesa (2000ft from town) with several switch backs and two tunnels. Lily was fingering through them, a large fits wheel or Class A would have to driven the middle of the road.Our Seniors Pass got us fee admission and half off camping! One got thing about being old, LOL!
Day 8 Tuesday Sept 11 High of 84F In the sun, of which plenty, feels like 90 plus.
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Today we spent the day exploring this area. It was far more than we ever thought it would be. Just wait till I add the pictures! What a great stop we choose.
I checked the weather report for Moab and they’re in heavy rains right now. Looks like it will ease a bit tomorrow, so again, another good reason to be here. I’m only 2hrs out of the BLM spot I’m looking to camp at, so that should work out good. So I hope anyway. As we travel, 3hrs… If I can get going by 9am, makes at least a 11am arrival to scout out a spot. Weather says overcast during the day, mid 60’s (nice relief) and showers at night (works for me).
Day 8 Wednesday Sept 12th Nice sunny day, started n the 60’s, highs low 90’s
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This is the day we make it to Utah and the Arches Area! Moab, Utah
We got a good start and left bout 8:30am. The drive down the Mesa was slow and careful. Wanted to leave before the inbound traffic so I could use the whole road if needed. The drive out was fine.
Actually took us 3hrs to make Horsethief Camp on the BLM Land. Stop for coffee, stop for gas and a couple stops just to view what we’re passing through. Mainly open range all the way to Moab. Moab is actually in fault, so you drive down Ito town, literally. Center of town has plenty of restaurants and tourist shops, South side has the grocery, laundromat (which we needed), Drug & Hardware and a great Outfitter (nicely priced). Picked up a brim hat (needed out here), hiking sandals (mine are trashed) and a sun shirt (also needed, long sleeve), spend less than $50! They’re in the same plaza as the Drug Store.
Of course we had to drive through Arches on our way out of town, it is the main reason we’re out here and couldn’t wait any longer.
Drove all the way in to Delicate Arch. Much smaller than either of us thought. Plan is to come back tomorrow and hike up to it. Has to be bigger up close!
Day 9 Thursday Sept 13th Another sunny day! Started in the low 60’s and high in the 90’s
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Good sleeping temps last night! Was concerned a bit, but being up here on the Mesa it’s quite nice. It’s laundry day (9 days, it’s needed). The laundromat was actually very good with big ‘fast’ machines and great WiFi!
Horsethief Camp is actually only 15 minutes from Dead Horse State Park so we packed lunch and headed over. We did get a Seniors discount ($20 normally), but not much.. The Nationals are free for us to enter!
This is another area that you drive through open range and see nothing until you get right there. Dead Horse Canyon is a 2000ft deep canyon that the Colorado River flows through. Spectacular (you may hear this word a few times out here) views. Short drive to the main viewing area with several more spots on the way to it.
With a stop back at Camp and a stop at the local gas station for more ice, we headed back into Arches for sunset. That is the time to be there! We went to the windows section of the park this time, so glad we did! Several arches in that spot (the Postcard view) and wonderful at sunset. Again, wait till I get the photo’s up on this!
Day 10 Friday Sept 14th Yup, another sunny day Morning temp 52F
And they say I never rains in California (or the song says..). Try here!
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A couple of words on Horsethief Camp. This is our first stop in a BLM and I’m impressed. This one has a Fee (some are free) and has nice clean Pit Toilets (not smelly at all), it’s Patrolled and a Host onsite that is very helpful. The Junipers are of a decent size and give some shade. Sites are a bit close, so if busy, not much for privacy, yet still good size sites. Picnic tables and fire rings (though I don’t see a fire here cause by the time the heat is gone, it’s bedtime! I like this spot and do hope the balance of the BLM’s come close to this one.
We went into Canyonlands National today. I know why so many have mentioned they like it better than Deadhorse. It’s so much bigger! A few short hikes out to view points, including the famed arch there. Wonderful little picnic area that we shared with folks from Vermont and New York. New England (at least East Coast) table!
Again, only minutes from Horsethief and well worth the run!
We went into Potash Road (just outside of town, almost across from Arches entry) and took the drive down there. They’re are Petroglyph’s out there! Several very cool panels of them and quite a few solo’s. Now, this road leads into the base of Deadhorse Canyonand is paved up to the mining plant (further but that as far as we got). It does turn to dirt and continues onto the Shafter Trail that goes into Canyonlands. Potash is drive into the Canyon with the Colorado River running through. Amazing 700ft plus walls on each side. Absolutely amazing at sunset, yes we stayed!
Day 11 Sept 15th morning was 58F by the time I checked, believe it went down to low 50”s last night. The drive lead us into 96F
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We left the Moab Area around 9:30am with a stop South of town at Maverick Gas Station to fuel up, dump and water up. Yes they have a free dump and free potable water there. Very cool!
Back out to I70 for a few exits and turned onto Utah25. Be sure you are fueled and watered up, there is nothing for miles! There is the Goblin Area as you approach Hanksville and it is very cool. Fueled again in Hanksville (expensive!) and moved onward to Capital Reef. Should we stay another day around here? Probably, but we’ll overnight and move on to Bryce tomorrow. We found a nice ‘little’ National Forest Park, Sunview to stay the night. It’s 7 miles out of Torrey and only has about 8 sites. You do have a water source here and pit toilets. You’re camp right up against the Red Rock cliffs and it’s actually pretty nice. Well be a nice sunset against those cliffs.
This puts us 2 1/2hrs out of Bryce from a nice easy run to the next spot and we’ll stay a few days. Grand Staircase is a short hop from there. Thinking we move again for Zion. We’ll see.
Oh ya, today at camp is our first day of cloud’s! Was starting to think it’s so dry here even clouds don’t form..
Day 12 Sunday Sept 16th 48F this morning, day high was 82F Mostly sunny
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We left Sunview about 10am with only a 2 1/2 drive in front of us. Destination Bryce Canyon Area. We drove the Utah 22 down. Pretty much wide open Range with not much for towns along the way. Another run you should be fueled & watered up just in case.. We drove through Black Canyon which was very pleasing scenery and a needed break from all the open range. We passed through 8,000 plus ft as it being our highest yet!
We landed in Tom’s Best Spring Road just outside of Bryce Canyon. Very nice place with very large sites that are treed and dirt based. This is also part of the National Forest Lands and this portion is free! No water or toilets here, but across the street is a pay for National Forest Campground that has water.
Update: Water is shut off across the street at the other campground. The Chevron Station will allow bottle fills and for $5 re-fill your camper. Real nice folk there! They also have propane exchange and good bathrooms. There’s also a Reststop just down the road with good bathrooms and a dumpster for trash.
I need to check it out in case we run low. They also have toilets which we will take advantage of. Oh, this place has the best cell signal so far! I’m bouncing between 1-3 bars LTE.
Update: We drove 11 more miles out and found several more side paths (like the one we’re on) and a few more sites on the road. We drove out a ATV trail that had a miniature Bryce formation and found a few more sites out there! Now, I wouldn’t pulled Lily in there, but tents or even a Class B would be fine. Oh, Tom”s Best Spring, well.. it’s a mud hole that I wouldn’t even put my feet in.
Seems to be quite a few private sites here. Saw a dozen before we chose this one. I’m looking over probably 4 acres of land without another site in view. This place is a score!
We’ll head into Bryce around 5pm to explore a bit and catch sunset.
Day 13 Monday Sept 17th Started out this morning at 40F High today reached 80F Another sunny day!
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Easy morning with a pancake breakfast and showers! Didn’t pull out till noon. We had a visitor this morning while I was showering outside. A lonely steer wondered through like we weren’t even here. I waved and continued my shower.
We drove back into Bryce to as far in as we could which was Natural Bridge due to the two fires happening in the park. I’m yet to find out why people say Bryce is better than the Grand Canyon, I guess it’s because there’s so much, so close, in such a beautiful package. Each area in the Park brings it’s own perspective. It is much different from all else we have seen so far. You drive through the Dixie National Forest so your in the trees until you reach an area.
We have a late lunch in the Park and sat with a couple from Waco, Texas another from New York City and a couple from Georgia joined us (since we were having so much fun thy wanted in). Pizza, a couple beers and great conversation!
The balance of the afternoon was taking a drive down a dirt road (FR117 or Tom’s Best Spring Road on which we’re camped) to see the backcountry. It’s very interesting around here. So far I do really like this Dixie National Forest!
We’re back at camp to relax and decide what tomorrow brings.
Day 14 Tuesday Sept 18th started out again at 40F, high high 87F Partly cloudy to clear skies
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The goal today was to hike a Slot Canyon and knock one more item off the bucket list.
I found a web site: http://www.americansouthwest.net/slot_canyons/map.html that has a map of the slot canyons in the Southwest. Just 10 miles out of Bryce Canyon is a town called Canyonville and a few more miles is a Fire Road (BLM Land) with Willis Creek which has a series of 5 slot canyons on a 2 mile hike in. Typed in on Google Maps audit brought us right to the trailhead. The hike is easy, pretty darn level footing and the creek is only a couple inches deep. What a nice place! Not well known, so no over-run with people.
Burgers and beer at the restaurant in Canyonville (nicely priced) and good WiFi which we need to get a few updates done. Food was good and they have local drafts there. My kinda place!
Back to camp around 6pm to relax a bit for tomorrow we move onward to Zion. Well, after we stop by the carwash and clean off inches of dust..
Day 15 Wednesday Sept 19th This morning was 38F and 52F when we left at 9:30am High was 93F down at 3800ft
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We left and headed towards Zion National Park today. Looked like an easy 2 1/2hr run. We chose the route that would bring us through Cedar City for provisioning. That meant Utah 14 as our route down through. I had no idea how pretty a route this turned into!
Route 14 should not be passed up. Height of land breaks 9800ft and drive through fall colors and wonderful mountain scenery. We passed through an area with very strange black rock clumps that we later learned is Lava Rocks! Who knew we would see lava rocks in Utah!!
Location was Sheep Creek, another BLM spot that would have been free, but was too open ad too hot to stay. I called and found a spot on the other side of Zion National Park called Zion Campground (private) just outside the park
https://www.allstays.com/Campgrounds-details/31409.htm
Just over $40 for a primitive site, yet free showers, dump, water source. No cell signal here, yet has WiFi. Pay for laundry as well. Being up at 5800ft, we lost 15F just driving up here. Worth the dollar to get out of heat! Actually the ‘primitive site’ is much better than the hookup sites. Have a place under the trees, nice breeze and comfortable spacing of sites.
This put us one the other side of the Park, meaning we needed to drive through and pay the $15 fee to pull Lily through. Well, we were going to have to anyway as we leave here, so what the hey.. Besides it gave us our drive through to get the lay of the land and what to head back to tomorrow and explore.
I really didn’t know what to expect of Zion. Really thought this might the one of the lesser of our stops. NOPE! This place has it’s own uniqueness. Tomorrow will be fun exploring around.
Side note: We met a young couple in Bryce that we stumblesd on a couple of times there. We now camped at the same campground tonight and listened to their adventures through this region. It’s just cool meeting folks on the road and hearing their stories!
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Day 16 Thursday Sept 20th Started of at 42F high today 85F Sunny
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We headed back into Zion for exploration and found one of the best areas is by shuttle only. If your staying in the park what I’m about to say won’t matter, but if you coming into the park for the east, like I did, stop at the Junction (Stop 3) and find a spot to park. You won’t be allowed to drive in there and ‘have’ to use the shuttle. The shuttle is free and runs a pretty good schedule. Waits of under 10 minutes is normal. From the East, what I saw in town was you pay $20 to park for the day. Again for you folks, your better off going to the Junction (stop 3) then the Museum. More parking thought still tough if coming in later in the morning.
The shuttle portion of the park is probably the best, IMHO. This should not be missed! Zion at it’s finest! For those more ambitious, great hiking! Those like us that want short walks, a few.. Yet the stops alone are well worth going in there.
Again, with all we have seen so far, I thought Zion would be the lesser of all. Not at all! It is hard to beat Potash Road in Moab and if someone had mentioned to me earlier, I would have planned more time for it. Yet each Park has it’s own uniqueness and beauty.
Day 17 Friday Sept 21 Woke to 40F and 50F when we left at 10:30am High today 78F
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We departed Bryce and headed out North Rim Grand Canyon. Our choice is Kaibab National Forest Arizona. Set GPS to Jacobs Lake Arizona and put us right at the Chevron Station and Welcome Center. From there picked up a map of the area and headed out for a campsite.
Utah 9 out of Bryce is pretty nice and leads to Utah 89A that surprised me with what we saw. Rolling range land and a few canyons to pass through. Views back to Utah and the mountains were awesome! Utah 89A rolls right to the Welcome Center for the National Forest and Route 67 is the Park road which is tarred that leads to the North Rim Overlook. We jumped of on FR22, turned onto FR270 to scout out a site. I suggest not going further in for the roads just get worst. Ya,13 more miles in and you get a site with a view, but…
We turned back from FR223 and landed just above the snowmobile area off FR270 in a nice Aspen grove that is currently changing colors. Again, we have a spot for free with acres of view to ourselves.
I will say, if you find a good spot along FR22, grab it. Don’t drive any deeper. This National Forest is big! It’s a place you could hang for weeks exploring.
Side Note: Twice now I’ve issues with the hot water heater. First one I switched out the propane tank thinking it was low (not really, yet light. Maybe close), yet blowing out constantly. This time at 7900ft, I had the same issue with a new tank. It’s oxygen! I opened the outside cover to the water heater to allow more air to enter and it runs fine now. Are my bug screens to tight? Non-issue at lower altitude.. other time was 6800ft..
If having the same issue, open the cover and give it a go. Worked for me. Wish I thought of this before my semi-cold shower. At least Colette will get a hot one.
Day 18 Saturday Sept 22 woke to 38F and left at 50F around 9:30am High today mid 70F Sunny
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We drove the rest of the way down Rt 67 into the Grand Canyon National Park to the Visitor Center. Amazing views from the North Rim and a easy hike to some great outlooks. We grabbed a sandwich from the Deli (ya, one there) and drove out to the picnic area for lunch with a view.
There’s a clue of off side roads with views, yet Imperial Point is not to be missed. Sorry the Tour Buses come up here, yet if you catch it between, nice solitude with an amazing view.
Insider’s Tip: We’re camped off FR 270. You should check FR 611 (right after Demotte Campground and the General Store) on the left across from FR 22. Drive up passed the Trailhead (4 miles) and just passed the no-camp area. There are some awesome sites up there. The road is fine with only a coupe of spots of ruts (dirt mind ya). Yet some amazing views from your campsite! Wish someone had told me! Oh ya, Kiabab National is FREE camping! Oh ya, cell signal on that side! Only one bar LTE, yet nothing on FR 223.. Get that side if you can.
We stopped in 4 different sites that were open just to hang and enjoy the view of the East Rim of the Grand Canyon. National Forest’s have been very good stays for us. They either been free or $7.50 a night and very nice areas. Highly recommend.
Now I’m certain getting all the way out FR 223 will have some awesome spots and views, but that’s 22 miles of some fairly rough terrain (road) to run. I’ll let those more courageous than I explore. If I lived in this area, no doubt I would buy a ATV side by side and spend the next two years exploring this area! Chasing the Bison could be fun in it’s self! Ye, there’s a Bison Herd in the Park.
Onward tomorrow. Need to be in Peyton, CO by next weekend to meet up with family that I haven’t seen for far too long. Page, Az?? Antelope Canyon?? We’ll see tomorrow..
Day 19 Sunday Sept 23 this morning was 38F and 52F as we left. Highs today 93F Party cloudy
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We pulled out of the North Rim (Kiabab National Forest) around 9:30am. Plan was to make Page, AZ and provision up at the Walmart. With a few stops roadside attractions and views, about 3hrs for us.
Route 89A did not disappoint! A run through a couple canyons and along the Vermillion Cliffs. Now this does drop you down into 3-4000ft so that where we hit the heat of day. Especially Page. We hit a viewpoint of Lake Powell and hit the Visitor Center at the dam. I spoke with a Rangerette there and asked where could camp the night out of the heat. She suggest another 1 1/2hrs to Navajo Monument National Park.
Side Note: Page AZ is where Lake Powell Dam is and the famed Antelope Canyon. We had planned on staying the night and hiking the Canyon. When we drove to the parking area there had to be a couple hundred cars, as well as several Tour Buses already there. OMG is that place busy! We passed it up. So happy we found Willis Creek a couple days ago and had the Slot Canyon basically to ourself’s! Antelope is basically a hole in the ground, at least lower is, and didn’t look all that appealing especially with the thousand others hiking through…
So glad I listened to her! What a place! Camped with a view into the Canyon, water source and toilets. Oh did I mention it’s free! Will do the hike tomorrow to the overlook in the Cliff Dwelling. There are two notable ones here, but one is closed right now. If you wish to do the Guided Tour (which is also free) you can get up close and personal. It’s a 700ft plus elevation change and it’s stated as strenuous, so be prepared for a ‘real hike’. 2-3hrs in and out, if your in shape for it.
We’ll do the overlook..
Route 89 is a constant climb to elevation, yet another scenic run. You change over to RT 160 and continue the climb and just as interesting along the way. Finally onto Rt 567 which leads into the area. Nice Visitor Center here and the sites are a good size with vault toilets spread out pretty well. We actually have a private one. This place is not that well known to travelers and the locals don’t come here. Plenty of open sites. And, did I mention FREE! I have enough room on my site for yet another Rpod..
Day 20 Monday Sept 24rd 42F this morning and high of 90F traveling.
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We hiked out to the Cliff Dwelling Overlook this morning. Only a 2mile run trip and a paved walkway. A absolute must to do here! What site to see and never did I think we would see something this spectacular!
Destination Monument Valley. Being only a little over an hour, it is becoming custom for us to double the time with all our stops along the way. Yup, that is about right. The drive into here is also a scenic one. Then you get in the area and Oh My does it get better! We at 5230ft here and we’re at the bottom of the Monuments. Oh to find a place on top of one these!!
Debating if we do the drive through today, tomorrow will be to much of a pain with the distance we need to make. $62 a person to take a tour right out of this campground (2.5hrs). Now this Campground.. You can camp ‘dry’ right in the park for $10 a night and there were plenty of spaces. My issue at hand is we’ve hit too many cloudy days and for the first time ever, I’ve gone below 35% battery draw and not getting back to full. Both laptops are low, all my 18650 lithiums need recharge.. and I have a spance to cover in Colorado that will be ‘dry camping’. Time for a hookup..
Not to insult anyone, but.. I despise KOA’s.. Yet to see one I would stay in.. Came very close today.. I did find another and unless caught like I am, way too much money. $64 a night.. I’m diein’ here.. Full hookup and pretty good WiFi. Okay and a pool. I even have a site with a tree! This is nothing like what we left today.
I met another at the campground that clued us into a private arch on a very easy hike right off the campground. Very cool and nice view of The Mittens!
Day 21 Tuesday Sept 25th 48F start of day, 62F by 10am, 89F high of day
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We left Monument Valley around 10am and drove onward through the Valley of the Gods and the Valley of the Ancients. Very scenic drive to Mesa Verde which became our overnight.
Mesa Verde is quite the place! Up at 8000ft with winding roads and many view points. You would need at least 3 days to explore this Park. Many Ruins here with self or guided trails. Many people come here (Tour Buses) an with in-park Lodging and Restaurants, you can just imagine the numbers here. It’s still just an overnight for us as we move onward to Peyton, CO to meet up with family on Friday afternoon. $16 (seniors pass) to dry-camp, but there are flush toilets, laundry and showers here. Nice!
Looks like we will not go to Silverton from here. The pass to there reads like a 6000ft climb up a very winding mouton road. I’ll try it from the other side as we leave Peyton. Tonights destination will be on-the-fly.
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Day 22 Wednesday Sept 26th 40F this morning, high mid 70’s. 5pm and I’m camped, 62F Sunny day
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Mesa Verde is not an overnight like we did.. There’s too much there ‘not’ to see. We just had to move on for the first of our date commitments (only 2 on this whole run). We did run Rt 160 through Wolf Creek Pass. Absolutely beautiful! Hit our highest yet on this run, broke 10,000 feet!
Most of the National Forest Areas are closed off now, which I hoped to camp in. We picked a spot just down a bit from Wolf Creek Pass called River Bend RV. $36 for the night, full hookup and Laundry (which we’re taking advantage of). Now she (Judi) did say something about ‘discounted’ rate. Off-season?? Since they’re fairly empty, I have a father nice spot with open sites on both sides. Otherwise, this is your typical RV spot, which I don’t usually do. Clean, friendly and full hookup. Besides, part of the Chevy Case Movie was shot here!
https://www.riverbend-resort.com/camping
Side Note: I have my coat on right now. First time before the sun goes down. At 8335ft.. highest we've camped.
Day 23 Thursday Sept 27th. Woke to 27F this morning! Highs today in low 70’s, only once broke into 82F.
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Destination Royal Gorge Park Campground. Took us 4 1/2hrs. The run down from the pass was steeper than our way up, yet still easy and beautiful. There was a big section of Open Range, then right back into the Canyons. Route 50 was wonderful as we drove along the Arkansas River and through Big Horn Sheep Canyon. We saw several camping opertunties along Route 50 and finally stopped in one to check it out. This being Federal Land (BLM) I was surprised to see Colorado State Parks charging for the sites. Vault toilets, no water, decent sites, but for $17 overnight (Seniors Pass not valid) AND pay a $7 vehicle fee.. Where we are is free! And we have great cell service here (none or sparing along route 50).
We are up on the Crest of the hill, 6,780ft, 72F and sunny with views in both directions down into the valleys. Salida one one side, Canon City on the other. Pretty nice spot!
Side Note: Met a Bird Dude at Riverbend last night. We been seeing this Black bird with white tipped wings (and breast) for a couple of days now. It’s a Magpie!
https://www.audubon.org/field-guide/bird/black-billed-magpie
Also saw a Stellers Jay there!
First for both these!
Day 24 Friday Sept 28th 48F this morning and 54F as well left Highs today were high 60’s and sunny.
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The run up Route 115 towards Colorado Springs was more interesting than I though it would be. Shorter hillsides yet still hillsides. That all changes as you enter the City and yes Colorado City is just that. As you enter you pass Cheyenne Mountain and the first of the Military Bases. Then the City. Been 3 weeks since we have driven through a real one and really don’t miss it at all!
The other side leading into Peyton goes back to Open Range country. Never thought I’d be looking forward to more of it.
The evening brought the most moisture we have seen without it actually raining. Felt like we were walking in a cloud!
We reach the home of the Many Muser’s right around 2:30PM. So good to see them all after 12yrs of not! Plan to stay through Sunday and get some time to see how they’ve grown and meet the two new ones.
Day 24 & 25 Saturday & Sunday Warmed up nicely on Saturday & Sunday. Both evenings brought light coats to keep the chill of the wind down.
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Saturday brought the Soccer Game for Samuel & Jacob. They won 2 to 0! Great time and the whole family goes to cheer them on. That afternoon they brought us to The Valley of the Gods just outside Colorado Springs. Awesome rock formations and a Mecca for rock climbers, of which we watched a few. The younger boys (and Serena) had a ball climbing the smaller formations. Nathan, the youngest, says to me.. “We need permission to climb this.” I asked for his hand, Andy & Jen smiled and probably thought Uncle Bob is at it again and watched. I took his hand and started writing with my finger in his. He just looked at me.. “I just wrote you permission to climb that.” He shook his head like ‘What?’, but started right into climbing. Ya, I like doing this kinda stuff!
Great time spent with Family! It was hard to leave..
Day 26 Monday October 1st Woke to 42F and never did get much above 72F. Arrived and it’s 58F.
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As hard as is was to say goodbye to the Many Muser’s, it was time to push on to more adventures. The original thought was to run up to Cripple Creek, but I found an area outside of Buena Vista in the San Isabel National Forest that allows gold panning and it’s known to have some in it. We shall see!
2 1/2hr drive out of Peyton, yet as usual, with our stops, took ‘us’ 4hrs. Route 24, our path, does not disappoint, has wonderful landscape and two passes to drive through. You pass through both over 9,000ft, while looking at peaks in the 13,000ft (and over) range! What a view!
The National Forests out here are great and San Isabel is again a good one. This campground is listed as only 10 sites, yet several more are here. Probably only 10 for trailer or RV. Several (a dozen or so) for tents. We’re only the fourth one here today and right on the Creek! Oh, it’s another FREE one! We have 1 to 2 bars 4g here (AT&T) so we can communicate and enjoy some internet tunes.
This is Forest Road 390 right off Clear Creek Reservoir. A Vault Toilet, fire pits and nice sites along the creek. You can find a fairly level spot, the balance of the site is rolling and mostly dirt covered. The road in the washboard a bit, yet take your time and it’s fine. No ditches or wash outs to drive through. Easy couple miles to the campground and worth it! Our site is leeward of the wind and the trailer is giving afternoon shade. Nice spot! We’ll stay here through tomorrow as I explore and pan the creek a bit. Found a small dam just upstream that looks like good catch for gold. First try down were we’re camped brought up some nice dark heavies where there gold is found. Believe I saw some fines, but tomorrow will tell the tale.
Day 27 Tuesday October 2nd Started off at 42F, highs today low 70’s Mix of clouds and sun
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We were going to stay another day at Clear Creek, but the weather was predicted as rain, so we decided to move on. Goal is another portion of the San Isabel National Forest outside Westcliffe, CO.
The GPS put us on County Road 1A heading into Westcliffe. What a road! If I was to stay anywhere in CO and summer, I want a small piece of land along that road! That is a piece of heaven on earth. Amazing views of 14K peaks almost all around you. Almost all the drive is very entertaining to the eye as passing through.
This spot where in, Iphor Creek Campground is cute. Cute is another word for small.. Probably only 3 sites we could fit into, and found a nice little pull-through for the night. As named, there is a creek (water) running along the campground. I’ll try panning it once the rain clouds pass, found a nice little spot. Vault toilets (very clean), picnic tables and pump water (which I haven’t check yet for quality). Most sites are quite tight for a trailer (even our Rpod), yet plenty for tenter’s. You can register here, so height of season, they could be full (well, at least the bigger sites). Colorado has not stepped on this one so Seniors pass works here. $10.50 a night.
On that note of Colorado stepping in.. How does Colorado get the right to charge fees on Federal Lands? One spot we looked at Colorado wanted nearly $30 a night for a Dry-Camp area. No Seniors Pass discount offered.. Really? Thats Federal Land! Colorado is weird on this stuff. Hope New Mexico is better!
Day 28 Wednesday October 3rd woke to 50F (surprised me), high today 82F Mostly Sunny
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Being just under 9Kft, was surprised it stayed so warm over night. Winds were quite high so it still was coat weather! Hit Iphor Creek to try panning in a couple promising spots I saw last night. First spot raised a few specks, then nothing. Second came up nice with quite a few specks, then went dry.. Man that looked good.. Last spot had nothing for me. Most of what I have found so far (3 places now) has only raised specks. That to me means a sleuth, only way I know of to catch them.
We decided to push onward. The San Isabel National Forest stretches almost down to New Mexico and this was our second stop in it. I found another further south, yet over 10K feet and it might not be open due to weather. We decided on a stop in La Veta, Colorado at Circle the Wagons RV Park. I know.. RV Park? Once a week I try to do this to catch up on Wifi uploads, laundry, water and charging everything. This one is pretty nice for $41 a night. Since it’s mid-week, it’s half empty. Wifi is pretty good here and the owners are very nice. Almost every site has tree shade and pretty darn level. Full hookup, showers and laundry. All very clean!
Coming out of the National Forest was a very pleasing drive. Rolling hills at high elevation and a real good look at Colorado land. We dropped nearly 2700ft to enter La Veta. Both of us we’re looking for a no-coat afternoon & night. With it only being 81F at 6300ft, it’s rather nice to sit outside, even in the wind.
Day 29 Thursday October 4th Woke to 48F and cloudy (looks like rain), High today 72F and mostly sunny
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The out of La Veta, Route 160, was a gradual uphill into 9,000 plus feet through yet another pass in the National Forest. The opposite side is just as gradual down and once again, you just go up & down mildly as we traveled to New Mexico. Route 160 changes to NM 552 as you cross into New Mexico. That’s about the only way you know you crossed state lines.
Mountains on one side and open range on the other as we proceeded into New Mexico. Goal was a spot in the National Forest just outside Taos. As we drove through Taos, we both wanted some time in town to explore the shops. We decided to stay at the luxurious Walmart RV Park & Resort (otherwise known as their parking lot).
Spent a few hours walking downtown and grabbing a bite to eat. Some really nice stuff everywhere, yet for us, we’d have to take out a second mortgage to buy anything here. Very cute places to browse and very friendly folks. Nice stop.
Last few days have been only 2hr destinations allowing plenty of time to stop and enjoy what’s around us. We’ve entered New Mexico from the north, meaning the higher elevation area. This did bring New Mexico architecture, which surprised me with it being a snow area of New Mexico. We’re just under 7,000 ft here in Taos, so to me, that’s snow region.. But.. I’m from New Hampshire, what do I know..
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Day 30 Friday October 5th Woke to 45F and high today is mid 70’s. Nice sunny day.
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New Mexico brings a different flavor of scenery. So far, all seems a bit shorter.. Funny to say that with still seeing mountains over 12K feet. You just don’t pass through them here, well so far anyway.
So far on this trip we’ve stopped in shady places to get out of the sun. This morning I stopped in the sun to get warm. Early day travel was bouncing +-60F. The Rio Grande Gorge was wonderful to see and drive along (stopped a couple times, in the sun, to take another look). Passed through several areas of open range, yet different than what we have seen so far.
We’re headed for a Army Corps Campground at Cochiti Lake. This one has showers (okay..), water hookup and electric. Ya, we’re spoiled tonight (and for a few days). Site are a bit un-level and close, but not to RV Park standards. Lower area is quite nice with roofs over the picnic tables. Ours is wide open and backwards, meaning my entry door is facing the road, not our site.. weird.. We don’t have the view of the lake, yet do have a view on the mountains and this little town. I’m looking down on the Marina that has what I see as 22-28ft sailboats. Have to say, the lake doesn’t look big enough for them.. Remember, I’m from the Nor’East we have a pretty darn big pond to our east!
The campground is right next to Tent Rocks National Park which we will check out probably Sunday. Tomorrow is the Balloon Fiesta in ABQ for the morning ascension, then off to the Petroglyph National Monument for the afternoon. This is supposed to be one of the largest collections in North America.
We met a gal last night (Alex) in the Walmart RV Park that is customizing her own camper from a Sprinter Van. Knew little of what to do, yet going at it with a spirit that was wonderful to see. Met so many different folks doing their own thing as they can.
Day starts very early tomorrow, on the road for 4:30am… yawn… Supper and pack up for the day. Going to be a early night and early morning.. 4:30am departure.. yawn..
Day 31 Saturday October 6th Low 50’s in the am, high mid 70’s Mostly sunny and windy
We left camp right about 4:30am as planned, hit traffic at 5:15am as we approached the Park-n-Ride for the Balloon Fiesta. About 6am we were finally parked and entered the ‘lines’ for the shuttle.. Well after 8am (more like 8:30am) we crossed the gate into the Area. What a mess! We watched the Dawn Patrol and 3/4 of the ascension from the lines at the Park-n-Ride. Thankfully, there are that many Hot Air Balloons there that we still saw several fill and ascend. Caught up with Natalie, Taylor and Matthew. Met Brenda and we all had fun for our time there.
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We all met up again at Petroglyph National Park for some time exploring! This place has one of the Largest collections of petroglyphs in North America. We walked two areas there and they are right up close and personal. In fact so close you could touch them (which you should not). Met a couple there that were very well informed on the drawings and became our faux guides on the walk. She informed me of a ceremony happening at Jemez Pueblo tomorrow that was open to the public (which is not usually) that we should go to. Well, that set our plans for tomorrow!
We spent an hour or so at Brenda’s, what a nice gal for sharing her place, and had a post birthday party for Natalie! We then headed back to the Fiesta for the evening session. We used Uber and got pretty darn close and walked the balance. That was so much easier! The evening was far too windy for the After-Glow Show, the Laser Light Show was a joke and they weren’t even sure if the fireworks would happen.. Far too much light pollution from the city to even star gaze.. We called it a bust and left.
We did get the fireworks show from outside while awaiting Uber, so we did get some of the evening display.
Spending time with those we love (and a new one) was really what it was all about! The day was a success!
Insider Tip: Drive as close as you can, park in a Walmart or similar, call Uber and get them to drive you in! Worth the $10!! Trust me on this.
Day 32 Sunday October 7th Low 50’s start and only mid 70’s for a high, yet mostly mid 60’s all day. Mix of sun and clouds. Did catch some rain today.
After a fairly long day we didn’t get off like we hoped this morning. Late run out and an hours drive to get to Jemez Pueblo.. Well, off we go.
Couple exists down the highway and past the first part of the city your reach Route 4 and the drive to the Reservation (Jemez) starts getting interesting! You see the Red Cliffs of the Canyon that your driving towards and that smile comes back back! Ya, this should be good!
Now the Ceremony at the Pueblo was not really public because no one spoke or confirmed once we got there. What they did speak of was the raft Fair next weekend. Have a feeling she mis-understood when she mentioned it to us. Still the area was fascinating to see and the drive further along Route 4 just gets better.
The Canyon is awesome, as wells the few small communities you past through. Made a few stops along the way to explore some of the features along the roadside. Switchbacks, elevation changes, just check you interested in what is coming next to see. We stopped 3 times along the road at the Wildlife Preserve to see the Elk (finally I can say we’ve seen them on this trip). Counted nearly 60 in the herd!
This is also the road that leads to Bandelier National Park. I was told not to miss this. I will also say do not miss this! The area is just that nice to see.
Now the drive we took was a rather long day trip out of Cochiti Lake were we’re camped, so we decided not to explore today and locate a place to camp (right in the National Park) and move over there tomorrow and spend a couple days. Cliff dwelling, more petroglyphs and a separate area of even more pueblo style living. Besides we really don’t like this Cochiti Lake area that much.. Worked for the Fiesta yet Walmart probably would have been better.
Back the woods and our style camping tomorrow!
Day 33 Monday October 8th 47F this am and high today low 70’s. Started very cloudy, turned nicely sunny.
We can see the ridge line that Bandelier is behind from camp. Covered with rain clouds and I saw no relief happening most of the day. We decided this would be a good day to explore Santa Fe.
Tents National Park and Cochiti Pueblo is right on our way out and there was a small craft and food thing happening so we stopped in to check it out. We snacked and talked to the folks there and learned we just missed a major rush into Tent Rocks. With the Park being 4.5 miles down the road and we hit a lineup within a mile, we turned around and headed to Santa Fe thinking we’ll try again on our way back.
Lorient Chapel was the destination. This is a unique Chapel with a very interesting story about the Spiral Staircase within it and how it came to be. Well worth gong to see even if your not a carpenter or engineer.
The Chapel is right off the main Plaza in town and plenty happening at the Plaza today! Native music and dancing, street vendors with really good food and open air markets. Nice way to spend the day!
I spoke to a Ranger and learned the cold system passing through is over today and things should return to normal around here. I’ll check the skies tomorrow am and hope to move over to Bandelier tomorrow.
We both were a bit tired this morning so a easy day of eating and window shopping worked out well.
Day 34 Tuesday October 9th Woke to 47F and highs today barely each 70F. Mostly cloudy day.
Well, it looks like New Mexico is making up for all the rain we haven’t seen. Not that it rains all day here, just very dark cloud systems threatening and raining only for 15 minutes at a time. With the system still hanging over Bandelier, we had to call it off and move south.
After talking with several folks, the statement was “There’s nothing between here and White Sands National”. Well, I found a spot on BLM Land called ‘The Box’! It’s just outside Sorroco along Route 60. Basically a graveled parking lot for rock climbings, yet open for camping. Tenters would find fire ringers, but doesn’t matter to us for we didn’t plan on one. Said to be a Box Canyon, it’s not truly, for it’s still open on the end. Real cute little canyon and very picturesque! Just barely hear the lonely highway in the distance.
The drive here is down Interstate 25 (which I’ve tried to avoid), yet once below ABQ it does get fairly interesting on the West side of the highway. This is great compared to the last stop at Cochiti Lake. So far ‘we own the place’! There is a vault toilet here, but that’s it… No water, no cell service (in a canyon, image that..).
Day 35 Wednesday October 10th Woke to Frost so just under 32F. High today 73F Mostly sunny.
First I will say New Mexico has surprised me. I guess I really didn’t know what to expect, yet this is quite different than I imagined. I knew I would see mountains in the north, yet thought the land would be much flatter in the south. So far we’re as south as Truth or Consequences and it’s far from flatland. Rolling hills and still mountains all around. Also NM is greener than I though it would be. Still desert, yet much more moisture than anywhere else we’ve been. We’ve had rains here (short as they were), yet it seems NM has quite a bit of morning dew to replenish the earth & plants. We’ve yet to get below 5500ft here. Tomorrow we’ll reach the southern most area and see what’s there.
Again today we drove down Route 25 with mountains on each side of us. The highway rolls through several gullies (washes and canyons) and keeps you entertained. Being laundry day, we thought of grabbing an RV site with laundry. Tried around Elephant Butte, yet didn’t like anything we saw. We headed further down to T or C to the Walmart RV and hit a laundromat in town. Good machines here and free Wifi to catch up a bit. The Walmart has a full array of solar panels over the parking lot giving it plenty of shade (which none of the RV Parks had any shade..
Day 36 Thursday October 11th Wokw to 50F and highs today are 80F Mostly cloudy
T or C (as the locals call it) worked out well for an overnight at Walmart. Met a couple others doing the same and one guy that’s been there a week. Needing both fuel and water for the fresh tank, the Chevron Station right there was happy to supply both. Worked out well again as we head to BLM land for a few days and showers in our near future!
Again down Route 25 to Las Cruses and turn east to White Sands and our camp spot at Holloman Lake. New Mexico does not dis-appoint when it comes to landscape changes. Still surprised it’s so mountainous! Not that you drive through them, yet all around you.
With everything we have driven so far, I had to smile as we drove through a pass at 5700ft.. That’s low lands to us now! LOL.
Temps rose as we drove into the White Sands Missile Testing Grounds. Mid 60’s right into mid 70’s and now just hit 80F. Haven’t felt that in quite a while now! Time for shorts again! Oh this feels good!
Holloman Campground is BLM And yet seems governed by Military. Not surprising since it’s right off the Missile Ground and the Air Base. Pretty good sites all over, yet some are better (not unusual). Since no one was here, I had the pick-of the-litter so to say. Quite a nice spot! No toilets, no water, no tables, real dry-camping. Signs posted of no drinking or swimming.. Shame cause it’s a nice place to swim.Small on ‘my’ terms a lake, yet what they’ve called streams/creeks here are dry.. only rivers have water in them. This area is surrounded by the mountains, so interesting as is all of the landscape of New Mexico.
Tomorrow we head into White Sands National and play for the day with Natalie and family. I guess sledding the Dunes is a big thing here! We’ll see tomorrow!
If doing this this run, or in the area, you have to stop in the ‘Chile Capital of the World’, Hatch, and buy some chiles! Drive into town, the places are better than the outskirts and they speak English! A little more than just Chiles, yet mainly Chiles and this ‘is’ where the good ones come from! They also have local garlic (which we were told is not grown here) and bought some to try. Bought some Ghost Chile for my Uncle that loves ‘Hot’. They say it’s the hottest on earth! I’ll let my Uncle Ron tell me if it’s true..
Passed through a Border Patrol as we left Las Cruses, just there everywhere around Las Cruses. The guy smiled and wished us a good day. I asked if he’s seen anyone from New Hampshire before. No was all he said. I answered with “Your Welcome! I’m your first!”.
This is a busy AFB! I’ve seen over a dozen F-16’s and 3 drones so far and I’ve only been here 2 hours! Well then again, I am close to Mexico, even more, close to Roswell… Hmm…
Day 37 October 12th Friday Woke to 54F mostly cloudy
This will be the first day of this run we have a rainy day. Forecast is showers on and off all day and night. We picked up 3 neighbors last night, yet the sites are so far apart you still have quite a bit of privacy. Holloman AFB went quite around 7pm and didn’t hear anything till 8am next morning. I watched 6 F-16’s take-off last night, yet never heard them return.. Long shift!
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