Day 18: Ride 'em cowboy!

We toured Bryce Canyon this morning. We drove all the way out to Yovimpa and Rainbow Point overlooks. We took the Bristlecone Loop Trail (1 mile, 9915 ft elevation) through the trees. The temperature was glorious, 69 degrees. Sorry all my friends back in AL. These bristlecone pines withstand strong winds on the high ridges of this canyon yet they can live to be 2,000 years old.



We worked our way back to Ponderosa Canyon overlook, Agua Canyon overlook, and Natural Bridge. We’ve seen many an arch and this “bridge” is really an “arch”. It is really beautiful.

We continued on to Farview. From there we could see all the way back to Kaibob Point in Grand Canyon. Wow! That’s a view.





Our final stops were Bryce Point and Inspiration Point. From Insp Pt the view of the hoodoos (rock formations that look like totem poles) is really spectacular.







We drove on to the Lodge/Trail Ride area to secure a parking spot (always a challenge). We had lunch then chilled for a bit before time to report to the corral.

At 1:40 we showed up for our trail ride. Preston was assigned “Lucky Strike”, Parker rode “Blue Ribbon”, Ray was on “Bonnie”, and I rode big “Jake”. Preston and Parker were on horses. Ray and I were on mules. Jake was huge, about 17 hands. We had a great time. We rode down into the canyon. Truly a unique perspective. The ride covered about 4 miles and took about 2 hours. Our guide Hank was really fun to talk with. I was right behind him. I told him I had a horse when I was younger. We chatted the whole way. He said they had 300 inches of snow last winter where they normally get 200 inches. Now that’s a lot of snow. He had lived here all his life and only flown in a plane once, and that was a 30 min tour of Bryce. He suggested we go to dinner at the Bryce Canyon Pines Restaurant. They have good homemade pies. His favorite is the banana cream blueberry. Sounds like a winner to me.

When asked about the ride Parker’s comment was “if you have a bony butt it really hurts”. Preston says “I liked my horse as usual”. Ray thought it was enjoyable. I had a wonderful time. I love horseback riding. It was really neat to ride down into the canyon like that for a different perspective.

We followed Hank’s advice and headed out for an early dinner. It was really good. Apparently the cowboys send quite a few people their way.

We finished the evening in the predictable way. Showers ‘n’ “24” (only 9 more episodes left in season 2). Parker leaves Sunday for a 1-week mission trip. We have to finish this season before he leaves.

Ray n Bonnie









Kerry n Jake

Parker n Blue Ribbon









Preston n Lucky Strike

Day 17: Breaking and Entering

Moving on! We really liked Capitol Reef. It is hard to leave.

But leave we did. We took the Scenic Byway 12 from Torrey to Bryce Canyon. A 102 mile drive. We saw Boulder Mountain, at 11,000 ft it is the highest timbered peek in North America. It is also known as the “last frontier in Utah”. Settled in 1889 it was the last town in the US to receive mail by mule. Now isn't that interesting?

We passed over The Hogback – a ridge with steep drop-offs on both sides of the road.

Then stopped at the Escalante Petrified Forest State Park. The weather was delightful this morning so we road with the windows open. When we stopped we saw some rain clouds in the distance so I told everyone to shut and lock the windows. We all went in to the Visitors’ Center.

When we came back to the RV it was locked. Ray always locks it but this time he hadn’t. He had left the key inside since we were just stopping for a minute. OH NO!!! We only have the one key. Did everyone shut and lock their windows? God bless, Preston. For once his laziness paid off. He had shut his window but not locked it. Parker squatted down and Preston stepped up on his knees and then his shoulders and Ray shoved and popped Preston in the window so he could unlock the door. That was a close call.




After lunch we started a 1-mile hike but ominous rain clouds, thunder, and lightning convinced us to turn back. On the way back we met a Boy Scout troop heading up. They were Troop 94 from Salinas, CA. Cool – we told them our boys were in Troop 94 from Alabama.

On to Bryce Canyon. We stopped at the Visitors’ Center and saw a short film (I do love the films). We next rode the shuttle bus to the Bryce Canyon Lodge to check about horseback riding. We signed up for a 2-hr ride tomorrow at 2:00. My backside is already hurting.

We checked in at Ruby’s Campout. Settled in, ate dinner, and watched 24.

Day 16: We love Capitol Reef and don't want to leave

We enjoyed a slow start this morning. Ray treated us to pancakes, bacon, and eggs.

We went in to Capitol Reef. We loved it immediately. The Fremont River has created a lush oasis in this dessert. It is truly unbelievable.

In the 19th century Mormon settlers found this area so inviting and the soil so fertile that they established the community of Fruita. They built a one-room schoolhouse and planted orchards that have been preserved by the Park Service.

We stopped at a grassy picnic area with TREES!!! Wow! Grass AND trees! Haven’t seen that in a while. We walked to peek in the windows of the schoolhouse.

Behind the school house were massive boulders. Naturally Parker scrambled all the way up to the top where he could touch the rock face. A rock jumped out and bit his hand but other than that he suffered no injuries.


We had a big but brief rain while we chose to eat lunch in the RV. Then we went to the Gifford Farmhouse. It was built in 1908 and has been renovated. Cute little house. On one side is the restored house; on the other is the bakery!!! Homemade pies!!! Yum! I bought a personal size mixed berry pie. It was tasty. Preston got a Stewart’s lemon lime soda, Parker a Stewart’s Root Beer. They said they were the best they ever had.

We headed back to the RV Park but stopped first at the Coffee and Candy Store across the street. The boys had ice cream (since they hadn’t had pie). Ray and I got coffees.

Settled in for the night. Slept with the windows open it was so cool.

Day 15: Oh look, yet another Canyon

Driving day! We drove from Moab to Capitol Reef today.

After about 35 miles we stopped in Canyonlands NP. We spent about 3-4 hours here. Canyonlands is Utah’s largest NP but it isn’t the most visitor friendly. It is divided into 3 sections, separated by the Colorado and Green Rivers. The Island in the Sky District is where we went. It is the most “friendly”. The Needles District requires a 4x4 and the Maze District is inhospitable and practically inaccessible, accessible only to serious hikers.

In Island in the Sky we hiked to Upheaval Dome. It’s a big hole in the ground possibly made by a meteorite but they aren’t really sure. We were underwhelmed. Looked like a big crater to us. Ho hum.

We also hiked to Mesa Arch. It was pretty cool. The view on the other side was amazing. And for another view we stopped at Grand View Point. And the view was really ….well, grand.

After Canyonlands we started the 3 hour drive to Capitol Reef.

We checked in to Wonderland RV Park. Cute little park. Not much to it but it suits us. There is such a cool breeze we have the windows open. The laundry room is right out our front window so I took the opportunity to catch up on laundry.

Dinner. “Wild Wild West”, showers, and “24” Same ol’, same ol’

Day 14: Moab con't, Hummer Tour

After watching the film at the Visitors’ Center yesterday, Preston really wanted to see Landscape Arch. We had gone by it but there was no parking available at that time. The film talked about the aches being “temporary”. Although they have been here for years, one day they will fall. One fell a few years ago. Landscape Arch is the thinnest and therefore, believed to be in the most danger. At its narrowest point it only measures 6 feet. If you’re here this is certainly one you want to see because it may not be here next time. They just don’t know.


We went back to The Arches this morning to hike the 2 mile trail to Landscape Arch. On the way back down the trail we detoured to see Pine Tree Arch and Tunnel Arch as well.







Three Gossips

Sheep Rock












We came back to our RV resort for lunch then “Jay” picked Ray and the boys up in a Hummer for a 2-Hr Hummer Tour. I stayed back to wash towels. The boys had a blast on the tour. Jay took them to Hell's Revenge, a popular off-road site, just east of Moab. The ride started with a drive over Devil's Backbone (a sandstone fin) about 20ft wide. They rode over sandstone dunes, up and down inclines, approaching 50-55 degrees. Their favorite hills were Backwards Hill and the Roller Coaster, a slickrock hill. They laughed at "Jeep blood" (scraps made by a Jeep) along the way.

After they got back we went for Starbucks, to gas up the RV (ouch!) then to dinner at Milt’s Drive In est 1954. Yummy!!! Burgers, shakes and Frito Pie. Clog those arteries! We’ll have to take a LONG hike tomorrow to work all those calories off.

Day 13: Moab: The Arches

We got up fairly early this morning to go to The Arches National Park. I tell you, the heat is a huge motivator. When we got there the temp was pleasant but by noon it was about 99 degrees.

During the morning hours we toured most of the Arches. We hiked about a mile or so to the Upper and Lower Viewpoints of Delicate Arch, the unofficial symbol of Utah.







By far our favorite stop was Skyline Arch. A 0.4 mile hike led us to the Skyline Arch. In 1940 a large part of this arch fell out leaving an opening twice the size as before. The result was lots of wonderful boulders to climb on at the base.








We all had a blast climbing up and over boulders and finding tunnels. We were dirty and dusty and had sand all in our shoes but it was great fun.

We headed back to the City Market for even more groceries (we have a tiny refrig and freezer. They can only hold so much. This makes frequent grocery stops necessary). Tonight was a repeat of last. The boys played outside at the chess set. After dinner Ray took the boys up to the pool and then he and Parker showered in the bath house. More 24.


Tunnel











HAM!!!










Ham Rock!

Day 12 Travel Day from CO to UT

Today is mostly a travel day. We leave the Cortez, CO area and head for Moab, UT. First stop is the bustling Cortez airport to drop off the rental car.

We made a side venture to see Newspaper Rock. Newspaper Rock is a petroglyph panel etched in sandstone that records approximately 2000 years of early man’s activities.

Scholars are undecided as to the meaning of these drawing or have yet to decipher them. It could just be early “graffiti”.





We stopped in Moab at the City Market for Starbucks and a few things for dinner, and then checked in to the Moab RV Resort. This RV Resort has a pool, large chess set, large checkers set, and horseshoes. The boys went swimming and then played chess while I cooked dinner. Ray did a couple of loads of laundry. After dinner we all played horse shoes. Then 24.

Day 11 Train with Cliff, Nancy, and John

What a super fun day!

We got up early and drove the rental car to Durango, about 35 miles. At 8:30am we met Ray’s Uncle Cliff, Aunt Nancy, and cousin John at the Durango Railroad Station. It had been several years since we had seen them. John had never even met Parker and Preston. Cliff and Nancy live in Tucson and John lives in Sante Fe. They came up today to join us on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

The Durango to Silverton track is 45 miles long and rises from 6520 ft to 9300 ft. The ride takes about 3.5 hours. We rode the San Juan up. These antique cars are really interesting. The view as we traveled beside the Animas River was breathtaking.

It was really enjoyable to catch up with Cliff, Nancy, and John on this leisurely ride. Preston found it fun to hang out the open window. The temps were delightfully cool.

Along the route is Tall Timber Resort Lodge, a prestigious 4-star hotel, accessible only by rail or helicopter. A new system of tree-soaring platforms has recently been installed. We saw a couple “zipping” from tree to tree as we passed.

Another trail follows this train up the mountain. It’s the “fire train”. It puts out any fires started by the ash from the train.

We arrived in Silverton at lunchtime. We ate at a patio restaurant then walked the town a bit hunting for some ice cream. The town is fabulous. It is truly a step back to an 1880’s mining town. The school houses grades K-12 and has a total of 52 students.
We caught the 3:30pm train back. For this leg we were in the Prospector Car. This car had tables and chairs with an attendant on duty. Each person received an insulated mug with free refills of coffee, Coke, lemonade etc.

Parker thought John was pretty “cool”, high praise from a 15 year old. He talked to him about fuel cells and why they cost so much.

Unfortunately on the way down we ran into a bit of trouble. The hydro-snicklefritz which lubricates the whatchmadigger broke. If it ceases to be lubricated the whole train stops. Our young engineer figured out a workaround after a 40-min stop. He was able to lubricate the whatchmadigger by hand. Unfortunately we had to stop every 5-7 miles for him to repeat this process. But it was much better than being stuck on the mountain where there is no road access.

We arrived nearly an hour late, but we arrived! Cliff, Nancy, and John had an hour drive ahead of them back to John’s house. We were so grateful that they took the time out of their schedules to come enjoy this day with us. We had a great time with them.
Since it was about 8pm we grabbed dinner at Applebee’s then made the drive back to the RV park. The boys were glad they had left their beds down…..and NO spoiled milk this time!!!