Monument Valley- September 24, 2012

Five thirty or six this morning we were awakened by the rumblings of thunder and then pouring rain. We didn't roll out of bed until an hour or more later and then the stormy weather had passed.  We packed up to move on but first we stopped to refuel at a service station across the street.  When the pumps clicked off at $99.00, Tom didn't bother to resubmit his credit card knowing we had enough fuel to get us to Monument Valley, our destination.  (Cost per gallon for diesal fuel was $4.499).  By 9am we were on our way  down US191 to Us 163.  Driving along through the little town of White Mesa, Ut. we caught a sign at a Mobil service station stating diesal for $4.169- a price we had not seen for sometime. Fuel prices are so unpredictable, within a town we have seen prices vary 30 or 40 cents between service stations.  Tom quickly got turned around and filled up the tank.  Boy, were we glad we did not fill all the up in Moab at $4.499!!  We arrived at Goulding's Monument Valley Camp Park at noon- 146 miles and will be here for 2 nights.  After setting up and eating lunch our first order of business was to go to Kayenta, Az.- 20 miles south.  But first we found that we had some problems with the electric so a maintenance man was called and while we were gone to Kayenta a new breaker was installed.  Kayenta is a small town that I had had prescription medicines (meds that I would run out of before getting home but was unable to order until after we left on the trip) sent to me at General Delivery and we were holding our breaths that the meds would be there and not delay our next move.  Sure enough the delivery was there so a sigh of relief.  Returning to the motorhome we spent the afternoon resting up. 

The Needles, Canyonland- September 23, 2012

Canyonlands is a large National Park composed of 3 areas that are separated by the Green and Colorado Rivers- Island in the Sky, The Needles and The Maze.  The Maze area is visited only with 4-wheel drive vehicles so is not accessible to most people.  Today we visited The Needles area which is about 90 to 100 miles via the roadways from the Island in the Sky area- Moab is about halfway between the 2 areas.  Island in the Sky had overlooks that looked down into the canyons.  The Needles was like being in the canyon looking up at the rock structures-  two very different areas. Enroute to the Park we passed Newspaper Rock State Historic Monument that has one of the largest displays of petroglyphs of any place.  In the Park at the Roadside Ruin we hiked a short distance to a  granary of stone built by very early inhabitants of this area under the overhang of a large boulder.  A stone structure resembling a wooden shoe was seen on a rocky cliff.  A second short hike to pothole point necessitated a climb onto rocks that had  dried potholes.  Big Spring Canyon was just a quick walk to an overlook of the area. There were flowering desert plants throughout the area.  We took a gravel road with blind curves to Elephant Hill where we ate our picnic lunch.  Cave Spring trail was around a huge boulder that had been used by early inhabitants and later as a cowboy camp.  The trail circles the boulder and then climbing up ladders we got on the top of the boulder.  The weather today was in the mid 80's but cloudy.  On our return to Moab we had a shower of rain which was different as we have seen little rain this trip.  The smoke from the northern fires has lessened but a good rain would really be beneficial in cleaning up the air.

After returning to the motorhome, we drove into Moab for dinner at the Blue Pig- a barbeque restaurant.  The food was good especially since I didn't have to cook! 
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Dead Horse Point State Park- September 22, 2012

This morning we went into Moab for breakfast at the Jailhouse Cafe, good food but a little pricey.  After all our activities yesterday we were in no hurry to get moving today.  We had read about a farmer's market in Moab that is held on Saturday mornings so we made a stop there.  There were a few stands selling produce but most were selling jewelry, baskets and handcraft items.  Talking with one vendor he asked if we had gone to the Dead Horse Point Park and suggested that we should go as it was his favorite park in the area.
After returning to the campground and doing a few things around the motorhome we set off for Dead Horse Point State Park north of Moab and near the Island in the Sky part of Canyonlands.  Like most Park visits our first stop was at the Visitor's Center but before going inside we walked around the outside taking in the views along a pathway.  And the views were spectacular looking into a red stoned canyon that is half as deep and half as wide as the Grand Canyon and also like the "Grand" has the Colorado River flowing through it.  Island in the Sky also has views into this canyon but none with the Colorado River and, I do not believe, are as breathtaking as the views here.  We drove to the Dead Horse Point- this according to legend was where abandon mustangs had died after being corraled on this point- and admired the views.  We were pleased that this park was highly suggested to us for it would have a mistake to have not visited it. 
We had seen large evaporation ponds from the viewing areas in the state park that were part of a potash processing plant.  The ponds were evaporation pools.  We had seen signs just prior to Moab to a road that stated "Potash".  So as we took the road on our return.  The road traveled along sheer rock wall on one side and the Colorado River on the other for 16 miles.  Petroglyphs were on the rocks 12-15 feet high making us ponder how this was accomplished.  The maintained road ended at the potash plant where we u-turned and returned to the campground.

Arches National Park- September 21, 2012

Today, Friday, we had decided to get out to Arches National Park before it became too hot.  Yesterday we had hiked a couple of short trails in the afternoon and really felt the drag of that afternoon heat, about 90 degrees.  So we traveled to Devil’s Garden Trailhead, the farthest point, to hike to Landscape Arch and were there before 9am.  Landscape Arch, along with Delicate Arch, are 2 arches highlighted in park brochures.  Landscape Arch had a big slab of stone to fall from the arch several years ago.  We then decided to continue on to the Navaho and Partition Arches.  The hike was quite strenuous as we had to climb up large boulders at one point- actually going up was not as bad as the coming back down over those huge somewhat smooth rocks.  It was probably about 5 miles.  Starting out the temperature was in the 60’s but ended in the 80’s.
  Our next stop was at the Windows area  where there are 3 arches- North Window and South Window and Turret Arch but again there was a hike about a mile round trip.  At this point we were feeling done in.  We returned to the motorhome for lunch and a much needed rest.
Early evening we took off for Canyonlands National Park- Island in the Sky- which is north of Moab.  Stopping at the Visitor’s Center we were given some pointers about stops in the Park.  We did drive through the park making the Green River Overlook our last stop to view the sunset.  The sunset views are to be spectacular at this overlook but the northern fires smoke interfered once again.

Moab, Utah- September 20, 2012

Before 9am we were on the road leaving the Capitol Reef area and headed to Moab, Utah- 163 miles.  By noon we were in a campsite at Spanish Trails RV Park.  After eating lunch we took the Jeep and went to Arches National Park.  Our first stop was at the Visitor’s Center to get oriented to the park and to buy a new patch. (I have been collecting patches from places that we have been to and on a quilt throw that I made I sew the patches.)  We then traveled through the park. 

Capitol Reef National Park- September 19, 2012

Today is, grandson, Anthony’s birthday and he is now a teenager at 13.  Happy birthday Anthony!
This morning we started out thinking that we were going to drive through a section of the Capitol Reef Park but plans sometimes change.  We came to a pull-off that was for a natural bridge so we parked and found it was a mile hike to the bridge.  A mile was not that far, so we thought, and so we started walking.  The trail was well marked but there were hills to climb and it became warmer as the morning progressed.  But we made it – a total of 2 miles in 2 hours.  The natural bridge was worth seeing at 128 feet high and 130 feet wide, I believe I have those  numbers right.
After the hike we were ready for lunch and it was after 12 noon.  I had prepared a picnic lunch so we went to the area where we had seen the deer yesterday.  The deer were not there but there were other folks picnicking in the area.  There were 2 huge trees in this area with very knotty trunks that seemed unusual to us.
When lunch was finished we took a drive on Scenic Route 12 south to Boulder.  This drive is through green mountains that had patches of bright yellow Aspen trees.  There were overlooks in which the red cliffs of Capitol Reef National Park was visible.  A very pretty drive.  Free range cattle were the only “wild” life that we saw and they, like the buffalos in previous parks, didn’t hesitate to walk across the roads in front of cars.  In Boulder there is the Anasazi State Park that we stopped at the Visitor’s Center.  A good day but tonight we are feeling that bedtime may come a little earlier.

Torrey, Utah- September 18, 2012

We left Salt Lake City this morning and traveled 216 miles to Torrey, Utah.  Capitol Reef National Park is located in Torrey.  After getting into Thousand Lakes campground (we had called yesterday to reserve a site) and eating dinner we took off for the Park.  Both of us did not know what to expect in this park and we were awe struck.  The beautiful colorful rock formations are just amazing.  We stopped at the Visitor’s Center and watched a movie about the Park.  Then we started on the Scenic Drive stopping in Fruita at the Gifford homestead.  Fruita is a desert oasis among the cliffs that fruit trees produce well.  The Mormons developed this farming area.  The Gifford home was built in 1908 by polygamist Calvin Pendleton and the Giffords were the last family to live in the house.  In 1969 the house was sold to the National Park Service and the last family to live in Fruita moved.  Fruit trees remain in the area and fruit pies and other desserts can be purchased at the Visitor’s Center and at the Gifford homestead.  We did continue the 10 mile Scenic Drive taking pictures along the way.

Great Salt Lake- September 17, 2012

This morning we went about 20 miles north of the campground to Antelope Island state park on the Great Salt Lake.  A causeway connects the island to the mainland.  Antelope Island is the largest island in the Lake of 28,000 acres.  Our first stop was at the visitor’s center, a rather rustic structure.  The Lake is so briny that only brine shrimp and brine flies can survive in it.  The shrimp and flies are a source of food for the birds that migrate through the area.  The saltiness is due to there not being an outlet from the Lake- in the spring water from several river sources flood into the lake causing the Lake to rise and then as summer continues on the water level drops due to evaporation.  As evaporation occurs mineral deposits which include salt is left and the salinity of the Lake rises.
Leaving the Visitor’s Center we rode up to an area called Buffalo Point that had a trail to climb higher up.  We walked up a short distance but there was thick smoke from forest fires in Idaho that impaired viewing.   We then drove down to the Fielding Garr Ranch.  The ranch house is the oldest standing Anglo building in Utah.  In 1848  Fielding Garr, a Mormon, had been assigned to establish a ranch on the island for managing the church tithing herds.  The ranch was operated by the Mormon until the mid-1870’s.  A businessman, John Dooly, Sr. bought the island and brought 12 bison on the land.  Sheep ranching was also set up and became one of the largest in the western states with more than 10,000 sheep.  A failing wool market in the 1950s caused a change to cattle ranching was continued until 1981 when the island became a state park.
The ranch is now a museum for the public to wander through.  The bison herd has grown to over 600 and are rounded up yearly with some being sold off in order to control the size of the herd.
This evening we went into Salt Lake City.  We could see the capitol from quite a distance and after driving up some steep hills we were able to park and take some pictures.  From there we went to Temple Square where the Mormon Temple, Tabernacle and Assembly are located.  The monument dedicated to the seagulls that saved the crops from the locust or grasshoppers is also located in this Square.  Quite an impressive group of buildings with beautiful flower beds everywhere.

North Salt Lake City- September 16, 2012

Well, we finally have landed somewhere that had internet connection that was of a quality to allow Tom to get pictures posted to the blog posts from the past week.
We left Jackson, Wyoming a little after 8am this morning after saying good-bye to Larry and Joanne. We would be going separate ways and do not expect to meet up again until we get home. Shortly after pulling out of the campground we were in Idaho. The hillsides were really pretty as there were lots of red trees among the green pine trees. I thought the only color out here was the yellow of the Aspens at this time of the year. We later came into some farming areas that had acres of newly harvested fields of grain. As we came to the town of Soda Springs we passed a large phosphate mining operation of Monsanto. Eventually, we got on I-15 that took us into Utah and south to North Salt Lake City, 279 miles. The campground, Pony Express Resort, is a extremely nice campground and compared to The Virginian in Jackson, Wy. a real bargain. Jackson was $63.00 a night, Pony Express is $40.00- same hook-ups only Pony Express has much better internet accesss.
Today, being Sunday, football games were on the television and after the continuous going for sometime we just kicked back and laid low. Tomorrow we plan to get out and explore this area.

Grand Teton National Park- September 15, 2012

This morning we started the day by going out for breakfast at Bubba’s in Jackson, Wy. along with Larry and Joanne.  After breakfast we took off separately to travel about the Grand Teton National Park.  Tom and I traveled the Moose/Wilson road into the park and saw 2 moose cows.  We stopped at the visitor center in Moose and then continued on a northerly route in the Park.  The smoke in the area seemed heavier this morning.  We have heard about 2 more fires in the area called the Buffalo fires in the Teton National Forest in addition to the Horse Thief fire in the Gros Ventre mountain range.   After a stop at Jenny Lake we continued on to Jackson Lake and Dam where we ate a picnic lunch.  In the afternoon we took a jaunt off the main road where we saw a herd of buffalo and an area with pronghorns.  On the Gros Ventre road we rode up to the Lower Slide Lake, another beautiful blue lake.  Returning to  Jackson, we stopped in the downtown square and walked about the shops.  Then we went back to the campground and picked up Larry and Joanne before going out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  This would be our last time together before returning home as we plan to go different directions tomorrow when we leave Jackson.

Raft Trip- September 14, 2012

Today, Friday, we, along with Larry and Joanne, went on a Snake River Float trip.  At 9:30am we loaded into a bus along with other folks which took us to an area along the Snake River.  We had to don float vests and then we loaded into the raft.  There were 10 on our raft along with a guide, Danny.  The 13 mile float took about 2 1/2 hours.  It was a very relaxing, interesting float.  After the float we were given a bag lunch and transported back to our vehicles.  We returned to the campground to eat our lunches.
Tom and I decided to cancel a day of our time here as the smokiness of the area affects the beauty of this environment.  The campground refunded our money without any problem.
Later in the afternoon Tom and I drove over to Teton Village to take a gondola ride up the mountain to find that was not running anymore today.  We then drove up through the National Park.  In the Moose area we saw a black bear and then a moose.  We saw a dirt road and decided to take that road.  What a mistake!  The road was very primitive with rocks, ruts, and extremely rough road.  There were some pretty views of the Snake River.  When we finally got on the main road through the park it was late evening.  We drove up Signal Mountain, saw deer and the saw beautiful sunset views on the Tetons from the summit.  Returning to Jackson we stopped at a Wendy’s for a late supper before returning to the motorhome.

Yellowstone to Jackson, Wyoming- September 13, 2012

This day was our moving day.  We had spent a week in Yellowstone so it was time to move on to the Grand Teton National Park.  We left Fishing Bridge at 8:15am and headed south through the Yellowstone and directly into Grand Teton National Park.  We stopped at Flagg Ranch Information Area and at that point Tom noticed the motorhome was dripping coolant fluid.  After checking out the problem Tom tightened a clamp which seem to take care of the problem.  The farther into the Grand Teton Park the smokier it became as a fire was burning in Horse Thief Canyon in the Gros Ventre mountain range near Jackson, Wy.  We arrived in Jackson (104 miles of travel) and checked in at The Virginian Campground at 11:45am for 4 nights.  Larry and Joanne arrived later in the afternoon and we were together once again.  We all went out for lunch at the Snake River Brew Pub-  good food and local beers.  After lunch we went to a Snake River Float Trip Company and made arrangements to take a float trip in the morning.  A ride to the center of Jackson and some time walking about the stores ended the day.

Yellowstone- Day 7- September 12, 2012

Wednesday, our last day in Yellowstone, we drove to the Lamar Valley Area.  A sunny day with some wind and chilly temperatures made eating our picnic lunch a little uncomfortable.  After Lamar Valley we continued through the Mammoth Hot Springs Area and back to Fishing Bridge.

Yellowstone- Day 6- September 11, 2012

Tom continues to feel better each day so we are keeping our fingers crossed that this little scare is behind us.  We again today travelled about the Park and went out the west gate to West Yellowstone for lunch.  We believe we have been over much of the Park.  Today was the first time this week that we had problems finding parking places when we went to The Artists Paintpots and Norris Geyser Basin.  Both of these areas were so full in the morning that we left there and returned after lunch.  We were then able to find parking spots but the lots were all but full.   The wind has continued today and it is not as sunny and bright as the past few days so it is cooler (high 50’s).  There are managed fires that are causing smoke in the Hayden Valley area.  A managed fire is one that is being carefully monitored not fought at this time.  The Park is preparing for winter installing poles along roadways to mark the roads for snow plows and closing some campgrounds.

Yellowstone- Day 5- September 10, 2012

Tom is feeling somewhat better today.  We both question the diagnosis of kidney stones but nevertheless the pain medication has helped considerably.  Again we struck out with me doing the driving for the Geyser Basin Area.  We did stop at the Old Faithful Area to get gas and shop at the gift shop prior to getting to the Geyser Area.  Again today the weather was really nice although breezy.  The pictures tell the tale.

Yellowstone- Day 4-September 9, 2012

Today, Sunday, Tom thought he could get out, still was not feeling great.  So with me driving we struck out for the West Thumb Area and eventually to Old Faithful before returning to the campground.  The weather was sunny and warm(70’s) during  the day and chilly at night (32).  Pictures again tell the story.

Yellowstone- Day 3- September 8, 2012

Well, what a bummer of a day.  Last night Tom started complaining of back pain and had a real uncomfortable night trying to sleep.  Advil was barely touching his pain.  So this morning after eating breakfast we decided we should see someone about the pain.  There are several clinics in the park with the closest one being in the Lake area which is a short distance from Fishing Bridge.  The clinic was not busy and Tom was seen after filling out the paperwork.  After an exam by a physician’s assistant it was determined that Tom probably had a kidney stone.  Pain medication was given and directions to drink lots of liquids.  So we spent the remainder of the day in the motorhome with Tom drinking (water, mostly) and me cooking and reading.  We did take a walk about the campground this evening.  The pain medication seems to be reducing the discomfort.  No pictures today to tell the story.

Yellowstone National Park-Day 2- September 7, 2012

Today was a gorgeous day with bright sunny skies and temperatures reaching into the 70’s.  The night time temperatures drop down to about 32 degrees.  Another day of being out into the park.  Enjoy the pictures!

Yellowstone–September 6, 2012

Today, Thursday, we parted ways with Larry and Joanne.  We left the campground at 9am and headed for Fishing Bridge Campground in Yellowstone National Park.  Larry and Joanne were also planning to spend the week visiting Yellowstone but they were staying at a private campground in West Yellowstone so we are about 70 miles apart.
We traveled the 79 miles and got into our campsite.  After a little rest we got in the Jeep and started exploring this unique park.  The pictures tell much of the story.

A Day with Buffalo Bill- September 5, 2012

Today, Wednesday, Larry, Joanne, Tom and I spent the day in the Buffalo Bill Historical Center here in Cody, Wyoming.  What a museum!  Of course, there is a hall of exhibits about Buffalo Bill but also halls of exhibits on the Plains Indian People, Yellowstone Natural History, Firearms and Western Art as well as a Sculpture Garden.  The firearm hall had guns of most every description.  The Yellowstone Natural History had displays of animals as they are in their natural habitate.  And the Plains Indian people had displays depicting their life and exhibits of their tools, arms and clothing.

We did take a break for lunch going to the downtown area of Cody to The Irma, a restaurant in a old hotel.  We all had the buffet lunch which we found to be quite tasty, including the buffalo sloppy joe's and spinach lasgne.  A bread pudding with whiskey sauce was the dessert and there sure was whiskey in that sauce.

Before returning back to the campground we drove to the Buffalo Bill Dam and visitor center.  We watched a film about the construction of the dam in the early 1900's.  The dam was constructed during the winter months often with temperatures below freezing since the flow of water was so heavy due to the melting snow in the mountains.

A beautiful day with the temperatures in the low 80's but this morning it was 49 degrees when we got out of bed.  Tomorrow we are going into Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone park.