May 29, 2014 Travel to Colorado

We woke to very cloudy skies this morning, packed up, and off we went north, then east.

Views along the way:

Into Colorado:

The rivers are flowing high due to snow melt and rain.  Flood warning thru Tuesday so we will keeping on eye on that.

We made a stop at the Visitor Center in Fruita for information on things to do in Colorado and then a stop at Sam’s Club in Grand Junction.  A few blocks later, we landed at the Moose Lodge.  They have a few sites with 20 amp service and water and dump near the lodge.  So this is where we will be for the next couple of days to a week.  We need to get some shopping done, oil change on the Tracker, etc.  And we do hope to get to Colorado National Monument next week so stay tuned and enjoy today.

Stats for today:

Miles Traveled: 156 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Utah: UT-24; I-70

Colorado: I-70; I-70 Business; Independent Avenue; 25 1/2 Road

May 27-28, 2014 Resetting in Hanksville Utah

We left our little spot in Capitol Reef National Park and headed east to Hanksville, Utah.  It is only a 38 mile drive but the topography changes drastically because the road cuts through the Water Fold.

Isn’t that amazing!

We are staying at Dukes SlickRock Campground for the next two days for what we call a reset (cleaning inside and out, laundry, internet, etc.).  Usually we only do an overnight and I go crazy busy for that day.  So I decided to do it in two days – what’s the rush, right?

So the past two days we did cleaning, laundry, internet stuff – , and figured out our next journey.  We had originally planned to spend a few days around Goblin State Park doing some hiking there and the slot canyons.  But I hurt my foot last week so I am kind of limited in the hiking until I heal.  Plus the weather is going to be HOT! and lastly, the slot canyon is knee deep in water (according to the BLM).  So we will keep this area on our bucket list and return another time.  

Today we did check out this store:

Yes, it is built right into the rock.  It is just a small convenience store – .   In 1997, Andy and I took a journey by car in this area and stayed at the motel across the street.  I really wish I had kept a journal of that trip.  (Which is why I encourage everyone to keep a travel journal of some sort – it would be fun to look back.)

Tomorrow we are off to Colorado so stay tuned and enjoy today.

Stats for Tuesday, May 27th:

Miles Traveled: 38 Miles

Routes Traveled:

Utah: SR-24

(Get it –)  A Beatles Tune Picture.

May 26, 2014 West Side of Capitol Reef National Park

This morning I headed off to the Visitor Center for their Geology Talk on Capitol Reef.  There is seventeen layers of exposed strata in Capitol Reef that covers over 200 million years.  More information can be found here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geology_of_the_Capitol_Reef_area

Because erosion continues to shape the National Park, they do find many fossils and bones.  Last September there was heavy flooding in this area that closed the park and many of the roads in this part of Utah.  After the water went down and NP staff went to check all the roads and trails, they found an exposed dinosaur head and a large fossil of an ancient plant – how cool is that!

On the way back home, I stopped at the Gifford House to pick up a fresh baked cinnamon roll and a small apple pie to enjoy later – YUM!

After lunch, we decided to take a ride on the western side of the park and check out all the overlooks. A little explanation of some of the layers:

This formation is known as “The Castle”:

Goosenecks:

A short video: http://youtu.be/W3Z_n0MmXJM

Another short video: http://youtu.be/VTWEWqTEJ7I

This is interesting:

Twin Rocks:

You know, I don’t think that you could take a bad picture in this park.

Late afternoon, we cooked supper over the fire and enjoyed the rest of the evening by the fire.

More visitors:

Bella found them fascinating.  Dusty looked at them then went back to sleep.

They just roamed around, oblivious to the people around.

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time in Capitol Reef National Park and I highly recommend putting this on your bucket list.  We will be back because we only touched the surface of things to do here.

Tomorrow we are heading to Hanksville for two days – full hookups – (Long showers – ).

So stay tuned and enjoy today.