September 15, 2013
More work on the lot, it's now 12:18 and we are inside. Will be glad when we get used to this heat or it stops. Think getting used to it will come first....lol.
Susan and I will hit the pool later this afternoon. We have a wonderful time just floating around and discussing the worlds problems!
September 14, 2013
Went to town to run errands and look at the house. Our renters have moved out but they left it in excellent condition. Hopefully we'll find new tenants ASAP.
Worked on the lot until around 12:30, to hot, so will spend the afternoon in the air conditioned coach.
Susan cooked spagetti for us. Ate outside, yes it was hot but beautiful and oh so peaceful! We are the only two couples in the lower section!
September 13, 2013
Left St George around 8:30 and headed to Las Vegas. Stopped at Costco just long enough to get our supplies and then headed to Havasu.
Stopped at an overlook east of Hoover Dam for lunch. The rains have helped but still Lake Mead is low.
We arrived on the lot around 3, Susan & Dan where surprised to see us, we had told them we'd be here tomorrow! It's good to be home but it's mighty hot!!!!
Started to clean the place up, then around 5, we went to Chili Charlie's for dinner with Brian, Shirley, Susan & Danny. Great catching up on everything. We got home around 6:30 and the pool was calling our name. It was so nice! I'll be spending lots of time in this over the next few weeks!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Utah 2013
September 12, 2013
Rain finally stopped, in fact we were able to get in 9 holes at the Dixie Red Hills course, which is just below the Elks Lodge.
After lunch, we had a few errands to run, which included me going to Cracker Barrell and K-Mart. This town has so many more stores than Havasu, so I had to get my fix! LOL.
A quiet day for us…we drove to the Gooseneck and looked
around. It’s amazing that you can’t see
this from hwy 24. Afterwards we headed
to the twin rocks and played around them for awhile. It was getting hot, so we headed to the visitors
center and watched a movie called Watermark.
It explains how Capital Reef got its name.
Left Jordanelle State Park around 9:30 and drove to Capital
Reef NP, approx 200 miles. We had rain
showers off and on, once we hit hwy 28 & 24. Hwy 24 is rough at times, so we had to go
slower than planned. Once you get on
this hwy, it is truly beautiful as you get nearer and nearer to the NP. You get to see the red rocks that UT is so
famous for long before you get to the NP.
Once we found a site, we took a 10 mile scenic drive that
runs thru the campground. What
beautiful scenery we saw! Makes you
want to live here but NO...way to cold in winter. We drove to Capital Grove where you can see
petroglyphs but the weather was coming and we needed to get out of this
canyon. On the drive in we could see
the damage from the rain fall a few days ago and don’t want to be caught in a
canyon.
September 3, 2013
Left the RV park in Thayne, WY around 8:30. It took us about 4 hours to reach Jordanelle State Park in Ut, partially because of the heavy fog we had in several places along our route. The other two couples decided to continue on toward Provo, as they want to be in Havasu by Friday.
We'll spend the night here at the state park.
We have a great view of the lake and the earthen dam. The lake is low, like every other reservoir we seen the past few weeks.
Went into Heber to look around....pretty little town although not much to do.
On the way to Midway, UT we stopped at their Veteran's Memorial, they have names on the plaques from 1812...very impressive.
We continued on into Midway, where I found a store to look in. It's sort of like a Hobby Lobby but cooler stuff. I bought two things for Haloween.
Next stop was the Homestead Crater,which is a 55" high calcite dome located on the Homestead resort in Midway, UT (about 4 miles west of Heber). The water averages 95 and it's deep enough that they offer scuba diving. It's approx 65' deep! We did not take a dip, it's starting to rain and need to get back to the coach.
Took the river road home....beautiful drive through the mountain side. Tomorrow we'll probably head for Capital Reef National Park
Rain finally stopped, in fact we were able to get in 9 holes at the Dixie Red Hills course, which is just below the Elks Lodge.
After lunch, we had a few errands to run, which included me going to Cracker Barrell and K-Mart. This town has so many more stores than Havasu, so I had to get my fix! LOL.
September 11, 2013
It rained all day...tired of this rain, all though this area like so much of the USA needs it. However they don't need the flash floods that these storms have brought. We know Zion got hit really hard.
After breakfast we did some shopping...IZOD, Home Goods, etc. Love these stores and Havasu doesn't have them. Bought a few items, Bobby probably thinks we are broke...lol.
September 10, 2013
It's pouring, we will wait until 11:00 to decide whether we can stay here or move to the NP campground. It's raining so hard, that our jacks (on 3" thick boards) have sunk into the ground. Not sure the NP campground will be better.
We decided rains won't quit for several days so we'll head to St George in hopes the weather is better. Left around 11:30.
Guess what, it's just as bad, hopefully we'll see sun tomorrow
We are staying at the St George Elks Lodge, we've stayed here before. Nice place, has electric with water and sewer available. We'll tour town tomorrow
September 9, 2013
Our first hike in many months....that's a long hike. Today we did the Queens Garden and Navajo Loop. It's about 3 miles round trip and you go down 747 ft....believe me, it seems more like 2,000 ft when you are climbing back up. We started at an elevation of 8,000 ft
....seems like there is very little oxygen when you are climbing back out. Having said that, the views are spectacular! I never get tired of seeing the Fins, Windows & Hoodoo's. The weather was perfect, not to cool or warm, although it got hot at the ended, sure that was because my butt was dragging! It is only 64 but they say it feels like 70 and it's 2:30 PM.
We finished the hike around 11:30, came home for lunch and then went over to Ruby's Inn to look around. They have a huge store, grocery, etc. All the things that visitors want to look at and buy! Across the hwy is an old town replica, so we walked thru the few shops. We did buy two Christmas items, one for the golf
cart parade and one for our yard.
Came back home around 2:15, will stay in for the afternoon as the skies are dark and thunder is off in the distance. Sure it will be close before the afternoon is over. Tomorrow we move to the National Park campground for two night. We are paying $47 a night here and there it's $7.50. Difference: full hook-ups vs. dry camping, but heck, we are used to dry camping.
September 8, 2013
We had intended to drive to Escalante, UT and spend the night. When we arrived at the State Campground, the spots had been flood
ed and were covered with 4-6" of mud. It had been raining for the past few days and was pouring today. So, we decided to look at the visitors center and then continue on to Kodachrome State Park in Cannonville.
We took scenic hwy 12 from Torrey to Byrce, it's a beautiful drive but has some very steep climbs and descends. The summit is at 9,600' (Capital Reef is at approx 5,800') and we had to go down to steep grades of 14%...yes, 14%! However the scenery is worth the trip, that's if it's a clear day!
When we arrived at that visitors center in Cannonville, the ranger informed us that more than likely Kodachrome had same problem. I called Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon and they had a spot available, so we knew they'd not be flooded.
We stopped at several pullouts, at one in particular we took a hike to Mossy Cave, here we got to see a waterfall. First waterfall we saw that's the color of mud! Also took many pics of the hoodoo's. They are awesome!
We then continued onto Bryce arriving around 2:00 PM. Got settled in and then drove into the park. Went to Sunrise point. Took a short hike, then the rains returned. Back to the coach, tomorrow we are going to hike around the Queen's court if weather allows. Suppose to rain all week!!!
September 7, 2013
It rained all day...tired of this rain, all though this area like so much of the USA needs it. However they don't need the flash floods that these storms have brought. We know Zion got hit really hard.
After breakfast we did some shopping...IZOD, Home Goods, etc. Love these stores and Havasu doesn't have them. Bought a few items, Bobby probably thinks we are broke...lol.
September 10, 2013
It's pouring, we will wait until 11:00 to decide whether we can stay here or move to the NP campground. It's raining so hard, that our jacks (on 3" thick boards) have sunk into the ground. Not sure the NP campground will be better.
We decided rains won't quit for several days so we'll head to St George in hopes the weather is better. Left around 11:30.
Guess what, it's just as bad, hopefully we'll see sun tomorrow
We are staying at the St George Elks Lodge, we've stayed here before. Nice place, has electric with water and sewer available. We'll tour town tomorrow
September 9, 2013
....seems like there is very little oxygen when you are climbing back out. Having said that, the views are spectacular! I never get tired of seeing the Fins, Windows & Hoodoo's. The weather was perfect, not to cool or warm, although it got hot at the ended, sure that was because my butt was dragging! It is only 64 but they say it feels like 70 and it's 2:30 PM.
We finished the hike around 11:30, came home for lunch and then went over to Ruby's Inn to look around. They have a huge store, grocery, etc. All the things that visitors want to look at and buy! Across the hwy is an old town replica, so we walked thru the few shops. We did buy two Christmas items, one for the golf 
cart parade and one for our yard.Came back home around 2:15, will stay in for the afternoon as the skies are dark and thunder is off in the distance. Sure it will be close before the afternoon is over. Tomorrow we move to the National Park campground for two night. We are paying $47 a night here and there it's $7.50. Difference: full hook-ups vs. dry camping, but heck, we are used to dry camping.
September 8, 2013
 |
| Muddy waterfall |
ed and were covered with 4-6" of mud. It had been raining for the past few days and was pouring today. So, we decided to look at the visitors center and then continue on to Kodachrome State Park in Cannonville.We took scenic hwy 12 from Torrey to Byrce, it's a beautiful drive but has some very steep climbs and descends. The summit is at 9,600' (Capital Reef is at approx 5,800') and we had to go down to steep grades of 14%...yes, 14%! However the scenery is worth the trip, that's if it's a clear day!
When we arrived at that visitors center in Cannonville, the ranger informed us that more than likely Kodachrome had same problem. I called Ruby's Inn at Bryce Canyon and they had a spot available, so we knew they'd not be flooded.
 |
| Bryce Canyon |
 |
| Part of the Queen's Court |
We then continued onto Bryce arriving around 2:00 PM. Got settled in and then drove into the park. Went to Sunrise point. Took a short hike, then the rains returned. Back to the coach, tomorrow we are going to hike around the Queen's court if weather allows. Suppose to rain all week!!!
September 7, 2013
 |
| Playing around the rocks |
 |
| Standing on top of the world |
Came home and played cards, took a walk to the Gillord
House, otherwise it was an easy afternoon.
Tonight we cooked steaks for dinner and now are watching a
movie. Our last night at Capital Reef.
September 6, 2013
 |
| Twin Rocks |
 |
| Chimney Rock |
Road trip today, went to Boulder, UT (approx 40 miles away),
to see the south side of Capital Reef NP. First stop was to see Chimney Rock and the Twin Rocks...they are on hwy 24 about 4 miles from the park.
We then took hwy 12 towards Boulder, it’s a steep road but we’ll also travel it when we leave
on Sunday to head to Escalante. The
summit was at 9,600’…hope the old girl can make it up and down this pass…..I
know she will.
Once in Boulder, we stopped at Anasazi State Park Museum to
look at the old Indian ruins. Not much
left of them, but still interesting. We
then headed down Burr Trail….it’s a beautiful drive thru the red rock
canyon. While there we walked thru a
short slot canyon…love slot canyons.
 |
| Having a great time |
 |
| slot canyon |
We then drove back to Boulder and then home.
At 8:00 PM went to the amphitheater and listen to world renowned
Dennis Young talk about the stars. He
lives in Sedona and came here for this weekends Starfest. He had lots to show and it was very
interesting. Afterwards they brought
out 4 very large telescopes and we had the opportunity to view the stars. That was really cool!
September 5, 2013
 |
| Rock formations in park |
 |
| Old school house |
Left park around 9:00 and drove towards Hanksville, UT. Along this route, you get to see the
Petroglyphs, Capital Dome, etc. We were
hoping to see Hickman Bridge, but back in March they had a major landslide and
the trail has been closed since.
We took a side road about ½ way there, and found some
crystals. Very cool….I have them in a
bucket soaking, will try and get rid of the red dirt. These are different crystals than I see
before, they are fairly flat.
Came back to coach around 1:00 PM, had lunch, then I worked
on some family photos. After that,
Bobby and I played cribbage….no internet and we are dry camping! Unusual for us not to have internet, so we
have to play games to entertain ourselves….lol.
 |
| Giles Farm sign |
 |
| Capital Dome |
Around 4, we went to walked to see the Gillord house…it’s
approx 3 blocks away. It’s an old house
that was built back in the 1800’s. They
have things for sale…jams, jellies, etc.
We bought to small dishes of homemade ice cream for a $1.00 each. Yummy!!
Bobby fixed dinner…chili dogs. They were excellent! Now we’ll watch a movie.
September 4, 2013
Left Jordanelle State Park around 9:30 and drove to Capital
Reef NP, approx 200 miles. We had rain
showers off and on, once we hit hwy 28 & 24. Hwy 24 is rough at times, so we had to go
slower than planned. Once you get on
this hwy, it is truly beautiful as you get nearer and nearer to the NP. You get to see the red rocks that UT is so
famous for long before you get to the NP.
The nearest town is Torrey, which is about 10 miles
west. Not much there…the usual, grocery
store, rv park, etc, won’t spend much time in this town. We arrived at the visitors center around
2:00 PM. Got the information I wanted
and headed to the NP campground, it only cost us $5 a night for dry camping.
Once we found a site, we took a 10 mile scenic drive that
runs thru the campground. What
beautiful scenery we saw! Makes you
want to live here but NO...way to cold in winter. We drove to Capital Grove where you can see
petroglyphs but the weather was coming and we needed to get out of this
canyon. On the drive in we could see
the damage from the rain fall a few days ago and don’t want to be caught in a
canyon.
Arrived back at coach around 5:30, walked over to the apple
and pear orchard and picked a few of each.
You are allowed to pick as much fruit as you want. If you take it out of the park, then it’s a
$1.00 a lb. Great deal.
Fixed dinner and then watched TV….no internet service, so
can’t communicate with friends…ugh!
September 3, 2013
 |
| Inside the crater |
 |
| Memorial in Midway, UT |
We'll spend the night here at the state park.
We have a great view of the lake and the earthen dam. The lake is low, like every other reservoir we seen the past few weeks.
 |
| Inside the crater...see the scuba divers behind us? |
On the way to Midway, UT we stopped at their Veteran's Memorial, they have names on the plaques from 1812...very impressive.
 |
| On top of the crater |
Next stop was the Homestead Crater,which is a 55" high calcite dome located on the Homestead resort in Midway, UT (about 4 miles west of Heber). The water averages 95 and it's deep enough that they offer scuba diving. It's approx 65' deep! We did not take a dip, it's starting to rain and need to get back to the coach.
Took the river road home....beautiful drive through the mountain side. Tomorrow we'll probably head for Capital Reef National Park
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