Into that there Desert!

Sunday...Sunny out, somewhat cool.  We loaded up the Jeep with dogs, and camera and took off to check out the area.  Our first destination was Sand Hollow State Park. A popular local reservoir and OHV Park area. Then rocks and sand were a beautiful, bright orange. 

We took a short walk up one hill to get a feel of the area.  The dogs were extatic to say the least at being allowed to run amock (except Finn whom we keep on a leash...he doens't know when to stop and come  back).

Next we drove back to town and proceeded up State 59 to a location I had written down (we are currently running mapless) that was supposed to lead to the Honey Moon Trail.  What had started as a short day to looko ver the local area, became more of a distance trip as we kept running further and further south lost in the scenic views of the area. Your eyes can really stretch off into the distance here.  A neat little side canyon beconned and we took a hike on down.  Great verticals on both sides and a dry wash with easy walking (well, mostly dry.)

Back in the Jeep, we eventually wandered far enough south to be in Arizona. Of course, without a map, we were kind of winging it.  Having looked at on-line maps, I knew we could re-connect to the East wiht State 59, but not before we were starting to second gueaa ourselves on whether or not we should turn around.  We had not brought the portable camping gear for our "local" reconoiter, so it would be advisable to start exiting the waste lands for civilization. 

Finally found pavement at Colortado City and headed on home, but fighting a big headwind.
More pictures:http://1drv.ms/1k4h5j2

Monday...Alkl pavement today.  We used our old foggy card to get into Zion National Park for free! No hiking cause the dogs can't go anywhere with us.  We may return and leave the dogs at home one day so we can see some of the off the paved path stuff. 
Still, the scenery is fantastic!  The road through the Park includes a long tunnel cut right through behind the face of one of the vertical cliff faces.

Air/rubble hole to tunnel:

 

View from the other side:

Tuesday....Just hung around the RV park today, Laundry and some cleaning up.  Plus, after seeing Millie not up to snuf a trip to the vet.  She has a minor bladder infection so an ultra sound, and injection and pills, she's on the mend. 
We decided that we would extend our stay here and added 3 days then another 7 to our stay here. There is more than enough to do and see in this immediate area and this is a nice RV park at reasonable rate. Grocery store and most anyting we need is within a couple of blocks.

Wednesday...Loaded up Jeep and headed to St. George to look for maps.  Found a couple at an out door store and the third one at the Barnes and Noble Book store. Now we won't be traveling blind. Had a quick lunch at an Artic The dogs got ice cream.

Returning to Hurricane, we took the "other" roads. We meandered east until we found a route (from the new maps) that took us the scenic route.  The dogs got to run on some pure sand and loved the experience. Judy shed her shoes and wiggled her toes in the sand.

Stopped to check out the old "Fort Pierce". Not too much left from a fort built in 1866 to protect the area from Indians.

Farther on, we past the Warner Valley Dinosaur Track location.
Did a little four wheeling on the way north back to Hurricane, home and a steak on the barbecue.

Thursday....Quiet day in the RV Park today. Jumped on the bikes and took a trip to the food market. Jusat a couple blocks away to pick up a few supplies.  The same mountain bikes we bought for our last trip to these parts - way back in 1988.  A long, long way from being worn out although they do have relatively new tires and better seats. If we start throwing out old things, I'm in trouble.

 

Jeep, Gus & Judy

 

Friday....The project for the day is an run over the Smithsonian Butte National Back Country Byway. A little rough, but only because of the recent rains.  Dry now, but you can see the remains of ruts from not too long ago.

 

The scenery from Zion bleeds over and abounds around every corner.

The forcast for today was for the low 90s so, the back and side panels of the Jeep were removed. Plenty of fresh air ( and some dust, of course). It would be nice to come back to Gus the Bus for some nice air conditioned atmosphere later.

After hitting pavement again in Rockville, just a stone's throw away from the Zion NP entrance. Back down the road towards Hurricane, we jumped off the main road again towards the north and the Kolob Reservoir Road. Our new maps say the road goes all the way north to Cedar City, but we quickly bailed of to the west on the Smith Mesa Road. This was a great road for scenery.  The top of the Mesa has a lot of private ground...cow country. 

Very green considering the surrounding area giving a great offset to the bright colors of the rocks and cliffs in the distance. The dogs got to run free in an open area during a short water break.

 

Continuing on, we hit a narrow stretch of pavement which decended Hurricane Mesa. This stretch would give the Going-to-the-Sun highway a run for cutting a route in the face of a mountain, or Mesa cliff face in this case.

Back home, showers for Judy and Ron then baths for the dogs.  Molly's white was splotchy red from the road dust.  Chicken on the $10 charcoal grill and another day done. Tommorrow there is an Ironman event here in Hurricane focused out at Sand Hollow State Park, so which ever way we go, it won't be in that direction.

The Jeep's suspension has gotten more workout in the last week than in the last 3 years since I upgraded the suspension with a small lift, new springs, brakes, radiator, etc. and has been a great transport for the back roads most people never see.

Lets Get This Adventure Moving!

We're heading south.  The Jeep will be following close behind and Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico are in our sights.
But, it's been a hard start....  We planned on an early March start, but...

Next, the fridge was shot... time for a new one.. thanks to an extended warranty $0 cost.  Oh, and when we opened the curtains in front...a crack all the way down the center of the passenger side windshield. Insurance time... but even that is a problem... they first shipped the wrong window.  So we are waiting none too patiently.  Gus is home waiting for the new windshield.  We're prepping everything else then IT'S ON THE ROAD TIME!!!


UPATE - Thursday April 10 - Contacted the windshield company to have them track down the new windshield.  The news?  UPS broke the glass.  A new windshield is on order for delivery NEXT Tuesday.  When does it stop!  We might as well move out to the bus on site.  Everything is out there waiting already anyway!
Thursday, April 17 - Well the glass was shipped and finally received, but the installers can't schedule the install until  next Tuesday.  AAAGH!!!  I think I know what depression is now.  Judy is going to go listen to calming music.  I'm going to take a walk down the road and throw rocks at windshields.  We had intended to get out and back by greening time. I've already had to turn on the sprinklers.  I hope the glass installers are quick cause they could get run over if they don't get their ladders down quick enough!

Its Monday...Is tomorrow going to be the day of the the NEW Windshield. Standing by.......


Tuesday....New windshield installed!!!!!  We're out in the morning!

Wednesday....We are finally on the road!!!!  But not without a little more pain.  I was checking the tires early this morning and see that the date code on the rear duals is 12 years old.  Not recommended.  So after finally loading up the last of everything, cleaning the house a bit, our first stop was TireRama in Missoula.  On our way so not too much of a delay and I feel a lot better about the rubber on the road.
All things considered, we are doing fine, but only traveled as far a Dillon for our first night.  Everything is doing fine with a note that the wind was horrific today.  Dinner was done, TV running, Internet connection.  Just like home.


Thursday...Getting ready for the road.  Don't know where we will end up tonight, but that is part of the adventure. I do have to say, it looks as if we are dragging our Montana winter down south along with our migrate.


Friday...No Internet Thursday or today for that matter.  We stayed at Crystal Hot Springs Resort in Honeyville, UT last night (Thursday). OK, but aged somewhat. It looks to have been here for 100+ years.  We didn't hit the pools, but they looked to be in good shape and even included a couple of water slides.
The winds have been horrible all the way from Montana, through Idaho and now into Utah.  This morning was great with no wind, but after fighting the horrible traffic through Ogden and Salt Lake City with 5-6 lanes (each direction) and just when the traffic started to thin some, the winds came back up with a vengeance.  We gave up in Santaquin and sat for a while in a Maverik Convenient Store. We were starting to see some of the 40-50 mile winds and gusts pretty much head on.  Not fun and tough on the rig.


After a little lunch and walking the dogs, we wandered North on a frontage road to Payson where our intel said there was a Wal-Mart. There were no close by RV parks. So, yes we are camping in a Wal-Mart for the night. Talk about a cliché! It looks like we are just the first of several other RVrs now pulling in out of the wind.  But not exactly out of the wind. the wind is rocking us some even with the stabilizer jacks down.


Still no Internet, so I am capturing this text to add to the blog at a later time.
The weather report for Saturday looks none too promising.  Snow, blowing, cold. We need to look closely at options.  The forecast for Sunday and beyond for the St. George area looks great, sunny skies!  But we still need to get there.  We decide to get up REAL early on Saturday morning.


5:45 Saturday morning and we are on the road. So nice with so little traffic and no wind. Surely something will pop up to pester us and it does. Driving with no wind is nice for a change, but as we get on down the road...snow.

For about 90 miles the temps dropped to about 31 degrees. The elevation in this stretch is up to 6500 feet. Huge flakes, greatly reduced visibility...at least it is no longer dark!  The snow plasters to the huge front windshield and the wipers work hard to keep the view clean. Even a state snow plow was out clearing the shoulder.  At least the road was only wet and nothing was sticking to the road.

 

Finally, south of Cedar City, we could see some sunshine to the south. Hurray, we are here at last!

We are staying at the Willow Wood RV Park in Hurricane. Nice place. Oh, by the way. Our friend who was to check in on our cat Gracie, texted to say she has a family emergency in Washington and she would not be able to check in.  Family trumps cat and our thoughts and prayers are with our friend and her family. Luckily we were able to make other arrangements.  We were not turning back!  Thanks Steve and Kristi, our new BFFs!