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.