GSA 2019 Utah Rocks-Finishing Up the Big 5

Our 2 weeks in Moab were full as we finished up the Big 5 (as they are referred to) of national parks in Utah.

My T-shirt of the Big 5 

The Big 5 are Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks. As someone commented to me, they are all rock based, but they are unique in their own ways.  On the way to Moab, we did the Scenic Hwy 12 route through central Utah, which took us through Capitol Reef. The drive was beautiful. We were a bit worried because there were two tunnels to go through, both labeled at 13'6". (That is very close to the height of our RV.) We made it through both of them without any trouble. :) Hwy. 12 is narrow (no shoulder) and at times I made the comment "keep your eyes on the road" because the drop offs were severe. 

After arriving in Moab, we set out for Arches National  Park first. 

Balanced Rock, Arches National Park

Rock Formations

Another view of Balanced Rock

We both thought Canyonlands was stunning. You drive out on a plateau with grassland on both sides of the road, not realizing that anywhere from 200-500 yards from the road are canyons that drop off thousands of feet. I should clarify that we were in the Island in the Sky section of the park. The other two sections are more remote (one accessible by hiking or atv only).

These rival the Grand Canyon!

Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park

This is the view you get when you walk up to Mesa Arch and look through to the valley

On the way to Canyonlands, you pass the turn off for Dead Horse Point State Park. We almost didn't go, but decided to see what they had to offer. Again, we weren't disappointed by one of Utah's state parks. According to one legend, the park was once used as a corral for wild horses. Cowboys herded up the horses to the neck of the point. The horses where then corralled. Supposedly the cowboys choose the horses they wanted and left the rest to die of thirst. 

View of the Green River 

Another view 

Is he or isn't he on the edge? 

We also did another UTV trip with friends James and Connie R. while in Moab. This ride went up steep stretches of rocks known as slickrock. We also saw dinosaur remains. 

Our tour guide took this picture 

We also met Robert and Deborah L., fellow Tiffin owners who were also heading to the Tiffin rally in Rock Springs, WY. Thanks for reaching out on Facebook, Robert! The Tiffin rally was fun and we had a chance to get caught up on some of our annual maintenance needs as well as hang out with other Tiffin 40 IH owners and swap stories. 

Next up are two more national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, the 7th and 8th national parks of the season. 

GSA 2019 Grand Canyon North Rim, Snow Canyon State Park & Valley of Fire State Park

We saw a lot while we were in Hurricane. In addition to national parks, we took in a couple of state parks. While the national parks are the big draw, the state parks offer just as good views of scenery and are much less crowded.

Breathtaking!

One of our first views after we entered Grand Canyon North Rim Nat'l Park

We finally replaced our USA map and updated it. (We removed the previous one when we had the slides painted.) 

States we haven't been to (of the lower 48) are CA, NV, KT, NJ, DE, and RI.  Our criteria is that we must have stayed overnight at least once in each state for it to count. 

Back to our trips... next up was Snow Canyon State Park. Indians originally used the canyon, then Mormon pioneers discovered it in the 1850's. Originally called Dixie State Park, it was later renamed for Lorenzo & Erastus Snow, prominent UT pioneering leaders. The canyon was the site of (Hollywood films) Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horsemen, and Jeremiah Johnson. 

Jenny's Canyon

This is the view looking up from the floor of Jenny's Canyon

A new adventure for us was to rent an UTV (Utility Transport Vehicle) and do a tour with a guide of areas outside of Hurricane. These vehicles provide a way to see things where a normal car can not go. Here we are with our vehicle. Our guide, Kevin, led us through the trails.

These rocks are nicknamed Flintstone Rocks 

Cacti in bloom

Valley of Fire State Park is actually in Nevada. It's about a 2 hour drive from Hurricane. Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago. Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the current landscape. 

These red rocks get their color from iron oxide

We're always amazed at the rocks and the differences in them due to the elements & erosion 

On June 1 we headed to Moab, UT for a couple of weeks. We were able to finish visiting all 5 of the national parks in UT, and see more awesome scenery. Stay tuned!

GSA 2019 - Lake Powell, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Well, it's time to officially kick off the Great Summer Adventure (GSA) of 2019. After leaving Red Bay, (there for a week-the shortest amount of time we've ever been there) we started heading west towards UT. We did the 26 hour trip in 5 days, dry camping several places along the way. On the way there, we stopped at Four Corners National Monument, the only place in the U.S. where 4 states - CO, AZ, NM, and UT - meet in one place, and took the obligatory picture of me having various body parts in 4 different states at one time. From there we headed to Page, AZ, home of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. Since we were only there for 2 days, several of the tours we wanted to take were booked. We decided to spurge on a helicopter tour of the dam, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Tower Butte. The helicopter landed on top of the 1000 ft. high tower butte-the only way to get there since climbing is not allowed on Navajo Indian Reservation land. There is no substituting a helicopter ride for being up close and personal to scenery! We lucked out with being the only passengers (helicopter can hold up to 6) - being able to ride up front where we had the best views from the windows.

Great Aerial View from the helicopter of the Colorado River

Four Corners National Monument with Me in 4 states at one time!

Our pilot, Angela, and us outside the helicopter

Glen Canyon Dam 

Tower Butte (before we landed) 

On top of Tower Butte 

Horseshoe Bend from the air 

From Page it was a short trip to Hurricane, UT (pronounced hur-i-cun) to Willow Wind RV Park. We often make reservations for parks sight unseen, so it is always good to arrive at a place and find a nice, clean park that is up to date and well taken care of.  After 5 days of being on the road we were ready to set up camp and not have to move for a month. This would be our base for exploring Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon (North Rim) National Parks. Hurricane is a short 25 minute drive from St. George, UT. 

Years ago I had been to Zion & Bryce National Parks with my friend Denise. I had remembered both as beautiful, but I liked Zion better because it had more greenery. This time I think I have reversed my opinion! (Although it is hard to compare national parks when they are all unique and stunning in their own ways.) During the summer season, you can only view Zion by going on a (free) shuttle bus through the park. There are several stops where you can get off and take hikes. One of things that I had remembered the most from my previous trip was "the Narrows", where you walk between canyon walls. This time it was closed due to spring snow melt/run off - which can lead to flash floods. I was disappointed that Andy could not see that part of the park. 

Checkerboard Mesa, Zion National Park

Zion

More Rock Formations, Zion

A beautiful clear day to view all of this! 

Zion

Lots of contrast between the trees and rocks 

We came into Zion from the east entrance (no shuttle on that road), where most of these pictures were taken. At Canyon Junction we parked and then boarded the shuttle. We did stop and take the hike at the Lower Emerald Pool Trail (one of the easier ones!). 

Bryce is stunning, to say the least. Zion & Bryce Canyon parks are only 72 miles apart, but completely different in how they look. Bryce is famous for its "hoodoos". Hoodoos come from erosion out of cliffs where rows of narrow walls form. Frost-wedging (water seeping into rocks, freezing and thawing causing cracks in the rocks) occurs, creating holes or windows. As the windows grow, the tops eventually collapse, leaving a column. Rain further dissolves these pillars into the spires we call hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park is constantly evolving with the forces of weathering and erosion.

Bryce also runs a shuttle, but it is optional. We were able to drive the the scenic route through the park, and didn't have any trouble finding parking at each of the stops. 

Rock Formations at Bryce

Close up of Hoodoos 

Bryce

Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon 

There are trees at Bryce (contrary to my memory!)

Still snow in the higher elevations on May 11

Can you see the holes in the rock walls?

More hoodoos

As always, we are in awe of the beauty and diversity of our national parks. We can't say enough about how lucky we are to be able to view these parks, and have them at our disposal in our country. We are amazed that when we are at a national park, we hear a lot of foreign languages - German, French, Japanese, and others we don't recognize. 

Grand Canyon (North Rim) comes up next, so that will wait for the next installment of our GSA.

It's A Wrap! Winter 2018-19

Wow, time flies when you're having fun! Or, when your mostly just working and doing daily stuff. In November, we were in St. Augustine taking care of our yearly dental, doctor and eye appointments. In December, we moved to Wilderness RV Park (www.wildernessrvparkestates.com) near Silver Springs, FL and just north of Ocala. While we liked the park, the amenities, and the area, cellular coverage was nearly non-existent. We knew that we would need to move (we had originally planned to be there 5 months).

We had already planned to go to Red Bay in January to get items taken care of - opting for a less crowded time than if we had gone in the fall. After flying to MN for Christmas, Andy went back alone to get in line for service when they opened up after Christmas break.

A Rare Sight at the Service Center!

I stayed behind in MN to spend more time with the kids and grandkids. While there, I was able to see Kirsten's and Mira's Christmas play, meet Emily's boyfriend, take in a hockey game for Olin and a basketball game for Sophie, go visit a snow sculpture in the cities, see the Surley Brewing Co., help the girls with their crocheting, and meet up with family and girlfriends. Actually, it wasn't too bad in MN while I was there. (The weather got much worse in February, and they're now dealing with an April snowstorm!)

While in FL we did manage to take in some fun activities. Near St. Augustine is Marineland (www.marineland.net). While we didn't go swimming with the dolphins, we were up close and personal with them while kneeling next to the tanks. Kudos to Marineland for taking the pictures and allowing us to upload them (without charging extra!). 

Fun with the Dolphins

In Silver Springs, we took a glass bottom boat ride on the Silver Springs River. During that ride we were treated to not only seeing birds and alligators, but a bunch of manatees in the river. These mammals always amaze me. 

Our Glass Bottom Boat

Group of Manatees

Not sure if this was a mom and baby, but sure are cute anyway!

Since we needed to move, Andy found us a spot in Brunswick, GA for February. While on one of our trips to Jacksonville we checked out Pecan Park RV Resort in north Jacksonville and found out they had just had a cancellation for March and April. That proved to be very handy as we made a lot of trips to the doctor (2 minor surgeries for Andy) and being closer saved us time and money with less miles and wear and tear on the car.

On Andy's bucket list was to witness a rocket launch from Cape Canaveral. On March 2nd, we witnessed the launch of the Space X Demo-1, the first flight test of the company's Crew Dragon spacecraft. There is something to be said for witnessing a launch on the grounds of Kennedy Space Center-we were as close as they would allow.

Kennedy Space Center at night 

We've also taken a day trip to Savannah, done a Jekyll Island Tour, and taken a boat trip to Cumberland Island. While in Savannah, we ate at Paula Deen's restaurant, The Lady & Sons. Cumberland Island has a rich history, including being the winter home of the Carnegie (steel magnates) family. JFK, Jr. and Carolyn Bessette were married on the south end of the island in 1996. Today it is a a national seashore run by the US Park Service. Wild horses and other wildlife are protected in their natural environment. We even took in the Clay County Fair in Green Cove Springs. 

We'll soon be leaving and heading west again, this time to take in the national parks in Utah. We are excited to get going!