Tripping East, May 2013

And so the journey begins: leaving Capitol Reef en route to I-70 

We left Capitol Reef at a civilized early hour so that we could make Dillon, CO by late afternoon.  There we spent two evenings and one full day of basically doing nothing but visiting with friends Tricia and Greg, very nice and a good break before hitting the highway in earnest.  This was our third annual stop in Dillon.  I-70 up over the 11,000-foot Loveland Pass, down to Denver for a quick truck and trailer wash and then commenced the slog thru eastern Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York, and finally good old Vermont.  No offense to anyone but why do we even have some of these states?  They certainly are a nuisance when traveling to and from the west.  Four and one half days from Dillon, not bad.

No stopping for photos, we be truckin' now.  Outside Capitol Reef heading northeast to I-70

I-70 and Colorado River

Scenic and making good time on I-70

Arrived to afternoon sunshine at Trish & Greg's

Night 1 Kansas: Some states have RV friendly rest areas, others don't.  This one in Kansas was great with a separate camping area that was well away from the highway and truck parking.  It even had a water and dump station.

Night 2: Our old standby a Walmart in Illinios.  Not much on aesthetics but good on convenience as they are close to the highway, good security, relatively quiet at night, good for grabbing something for dinner, and offer no excuse for wasting time getting on the road in the morning.

Amish is my best guess, refueling their horses with water before hitching them back to their buggy at a gas stop in Ohio.

Our last 2 nights on the road were spent at a rest stop on I-90 just southeast of Cleveland and at a drizzly-foggy roadside pull-off on secluded RT-8 in the Adirondacks.  Having a whiff of nostalgia we tried in vain to find the campground near Speculator where we spent the first night on our first trip five years ago.  Not to be, but the roadside stop served us well considering the weather.

Home at last to some intense green and my morning coffee spot.

Capitol Reef National Park 5/13-14/13

On the road,  just outside Capitol Reef.

Continuing on our northeastern trajectory towards home we traveled a few unbelievably beautiful but nerve-wracking hours to Capitol Reef National Park.  The campground in Capitol Reef is located within the Fruita Historic District, an oasis of orchards and lush greenery set within the red rock cliffs that characterize the park.  Although the area was no doubt home to Native Americans the orchards were established by Mormon settlers and are still maintained, along with some historical structures as part of the National Park.  It was warm, we were exhausted and had only one afternoon, so we didn’t explore the Park much, although we did one hike from the campground.  The Park is quite large but we had seen so much of similar terrain.  Perhaps another time, as we wanted to get an early start on our first long drive of the trip home and to have time to spend with our friends in Dillon, CO, our next stop.

Campground in Fruita Historical District, Capitol Reef NP

Along the beginning of the trail leading from the campground up the valley.

Farther up the trail

More typical scene once you move away from the riparian zone on the river

Surreal World of Bryce Canyon National Park 5/11-13/13

Bryce Canyon

View into sidewall from rim.

Winds and water have shaped Bryce Canyon over the eons.  We've seen nothing quite like it elsewhere.  It's much higher in elevation than Zion so we had to wait for warmer temps before arriving but then had a glorious two days.  We found a nice peaceful camping spot nestled in the pines and headed off to hike along the rim.  The next morning we ventured down into the canyon for a closeup view and a different perspective on the rock formations called hoodoos.

Most visitors see the park only from the rim but others hike down for a more intimate view of the marvelous hoodoos.  We hiked down to and thru “Queen’s Garden”, up the valley and returned to the rim on the “Navajo Trail”.  You have to use your imagination on this one but if you could see the photo of a famous sculpture of Queen something-or-other, Anne I think, you could see the resemblance (next photo).  Another notion is that the hoodoos in this area resemble chess pieces.  It’s the most popular hike in the park: moderate, some elevation but on good trails and well worth the effort.  There are a couple of other trails we would like to have tried but the weather looked good for our passage thru the high country in Colorado so on we went.

The Queen of "Queen's Garden"

Hiking down

I wonder where the trail is?

Back up the Navajo Trail

A long but easy climb back up

Amazing how these formed and stay together.

Of course someday they will fall.  The light colored rock on top is more weather resistant protecting the softer lower layers.

A last parting shot from just below the rim

Next Stop: Zion 5/6-11/13

Towering rock walls frame Zion Canyon

After an overnight at the Valley of Fire we found ourselves in Zion National Park.  We planned on a night or two but stayed 5 while waiting for clear weather and a snow free passage ahead.  Where better?  We were showered upon a few times but had perfect temps, sunshine, and absolutely wonderous environs.  We relaxed, had several great meals in town, hiked and got some much needed exercise before the long drives ahead in our “mad dash” eastward.  We also met several enjoyable folks and didn’t drive an inch during our 5 days while we enjoyed the shuttle service both within the park and into town.  As the photos show Zion is a marvel.

The Virgin River is still forming Zion Canyon

We got in several relaxing hikes

Lower Emerald Pool

Lot's of Mule Deer throughout the valley.  This taken from our campsite.

Mandatory free shuttle service in Zion Valley was a welcome treat considering our drive ahead.

Zion campsite

Trail to Scout's Lookout and then on to Angel's Landing

Almost on top

View from Scout's Lookout

The trail goes on to Angel's Landing but it is steep & narrow with huge
drop offs, and fortunately not on today's program.

You don't really want all that trail mix, do you?

Awed by Zion's beauty we hardly noticed that spring had sprung and wildflowers painted their own quiet touches. 

However Nancy's eye seldom fails to notice a flower and she stopped to take all these flower shots as I lumbered on.

Valley of Fire, UT 5/5/13

We didn't catch a name for this formation but it must be some sort of Indian legend.

We passed thru a short slot canyon on the
 lower section of our one loop hike

Just a short distance northeast of Las Vegas we found the “Valley of Fire” State Park and it would be difficult to imagine a starker contrast.  Natural beauty and serenity abound.  Not a sound to be heard at night.  It was oh-so nice to be back in the desert.  We had time to tour the park and for a loop hike that afternoon but left the next morning for Zion NP, our next stop on the homeward journey.

Ump-teen millions of years ago this area was a sea leaving striations of sedimentary rock

Valley of Fire campsite

Area of rocks called the "Beehives"

Valley of Fire SP

Lot's of beautiful striated red rock

Part of our late afternoon loop hike

Along the hike

Many movies and TV episodes were filmed here.  Mostly westerns but also
included Star Trek scenes.  This shows the ruins of "The Professionals"
filmed in 1966.

Evidence of long-ago residents