June 27 Las Vegas

Staying at the Oasis RV Resort south of Las Vegas, just off of I-15. We arrived yesterday, Saturday the 26th from Twentynine Palms and checked in to set up. That evening we drove down to the "Strip" for dinner and a walk along the famous Casinos. "New York, New York", Bellagio, etc. Got back to the campground about midnight exhausted from all of the walking. Crowds were thick tonight and ran the gamut from old to very young, from every country in the world it seemed, and from polite to rude. Sunday evening we drove further on past the strip to "Main Street and Fremont". Free shows along the street (covered and foot traffic only), and characters in costume everywhere. Of course Elvis was alive and performing as well as Michal Jackson, and Wonder Woman. Carl got picked up by a pair of showgirls who seemed determined to carry him home as a plaything. Of course, Anna made sure that he was tied to her side.

June 22 - 25th Twentynine Palms California

Over the 22-25th of June we stayed in Twentynine Palms, California and explored Joshua Tree National Park. This is a different NP, joining the High Mojave Desert and the lower Colorado Desert areas. Driving through the park you climb from about 2500 ft up to a high point (Keys Lookout) of over 5,100 feet. The land consists of desert sagebrush and Yucca plants transiting to Joshua Trees above about 3500 feet. The first day we drove around the northern loop from Twentynine Palms over to the town of Joshua Tree. The park is dotted with hugh piles of rocks, magma formed and cooled under ground and then brought to the surface by erosion. Across to the west of the NP is Mt. Jacinto in the San Jacinto range, still snow covered. This is a picture across the desert in the NP with the mountain in the background. We also drove up to Keys point and looked across to the San Jacinto range and the Santa Rosa range and down into a beautiful desert valley. Unfortunately, pollution from Los Angeles had come east and dimmed visibility. The second day we drove south through the park to the Cottonwood Oasis near I-10. We stopped at the Cholla Cactus Garden and walked the trails through the cactus. Very pleasant. At the Cottonwood Oasis we stopped and walked under the tall palms in the oasis. Drove the next day to visit a classmate of Carolyn's, Anna's and Carl's (Bev East) down in Lake Elsinore.

June 19 Sedona Area

Drove across Arizona to Flagstaff, then south on I-17 to the Thousand Trails Preserve at Verde Valley near Cottonwood. This was mostly a rest stop at a very nice campground that Thousand Trails had in the area. That night we drove down to the Rock City Cafe (exit 242 on I-17) which is renowned for their famous pies. Enjoyed a good dinner, and of course a slice of pie each. Sunday we drove up to Sedona for a look around. Mostly a tourist area so after a little window shopping we went back to the campground. Relaxed all day Monday and hiked some of the nature trails laid out in the Preserve.
On Tuesday we packed up our rigs and drove on down the mountain, around Phoenix, and west out I-10 to Twentynine Palms California. This was a long long day for us, around 380 miles with outside temperatures hovering near the 100's. Arrived in the late afternoon and settled in at the Twentynine Palms RV and Golf Resort until Saturday.

Friday, June 18th Navajo and Hopi Territories

Friday, June 18th we relaxed around the campground until around 10 a.m. then took to the road, driving a big loop east on I-40 to AZ-77 and north up to AZ-264 then south down AZ-87 and back on I-40 to Holbrook. The purpose was to drive up through Navajo land to see what the area looked like and how they lived and then over to the Hopi Second Mesa area for the Cultural Museum. The land was long and flat and sandy throughout most of the trip until we reached the area of the Mesas. The Navajo houses were generally very far apart with single building, either modular homes or double wide trailers. We ran into the hills and mesa areas up where AZ-264 ran east and west and followed them past the Hopi "First Mesa" and over to the "Second Mesa" where AZ-87 intersected and ran south to I-40. We had lunch at a small roadside stand serving roasted corn on the cob (in the shuck). Very good. The Hopi houses seemed more permanent and were more clustered together in village style Big schools and hospital and an airport in the Hopi land. Then drove up to Second Mesa to the Hopi Cultural Museum, which unfortunately was closed. Talked to a man operating a Silver store next door and found out that the lady running the museum showed up when she wanted to. Of course a lot of people came there specifically to see the museum so the man was not too happy about her schedule as it hurt his business. Back down from Second Mesa and turned onto AZ-87 and drove a ruler straight line (almost) for fifty miles to I-40. Desert, desert, desert. Flat land and dust/sand broken by the buttes and mesas.

June 17th Holbrook Arizona

The Petrified Forest and Painted Desert National Parks called today so a short drive down AZ-180 took us from Holbrook to the NP Visitors center. We checked in at the Ranger entrance gate and showed our National Park pass and were granted admittance. At the visitor center we waited about ten minutes for a Ranger lecture on the time periods involved, the environment, the animals that were around, and the fauna. Apparently the river through this area was as large as the Amazon is today with hugh trees. Some of the petrified trunks in this area were thought to have been carried here from 200 miles upstream. They became waterlogged and were then covered with a layer of volcanic ash which permeated itself into the very core of the cell structure. This picture was taken in the visitor's center and shows the skeleton of a local beast. Behind the skeleton is a mural depicting what the land was thought to look like at the time. Next we drove on up through the park to the dry river bed and the remains of the houses that were built by the inhabitants at the time. When the land gradually dried out and the river stopped flowing they abandonded the area and moved on leaving pictographs and stone foundations.

Across I-40 we entered the Painted Desert NP. I took several small movies of the various points along the road which turned out quite good.

June 16th Traveling South to Holbrook Arizona

Wednesday, June 16th we pulled the trailer and motorhome out of the Canyonlands RV Park and turned south on US-191 toward Arizona. Thanks to a low pressure area in northern Utah, the winds were blowing 30-40 mph from the southwest so we had headwinds all the way down. Some parts of 191 were terri ble, others not so bad. Arrived at the KOA in Holbrook about 2:30 local time, after a very nice lunch of Fry Bread and chile that was very good. Taking the rest of the afternoon to do washing and catch up on this blog, then over to the Petrified Forest and Painted Desert on Thursday. Having a wonderful time.

June 15th to Red Cliff Ranch

Tuesday June 15th we again loaded into the truck and drove up to Utah 128 east along the Colorado River to the Red Cliffs Ranch, about fourteen miles directly following the winding Colorado River. Of course, the Colorado has cut deep into the land creating deep canyons and we drove along at river level winding through those canyons for mile after mile. It was so breathtaking that we took a video of the entire return trip from the ranch and can show it to you when we get back home. The ranch itself, once a working ranch, gradually turned into a center for many many movies filmed in those lands. They had a very nice pictoral museum of the movies that they participated in. I recommend this drive to anyone who in is the Moab area.

June 14th Trip through Arches NP

Monday June 14th drive through Arches National Park. Today we all loaded into the truck and drove north to the entrance to Arches National Park. At the park entrance we stopped at the Visitors Center to learn something of the geologic formations and how they came to be what we see today. The formative process, as in the nearby Colorado Monument, was a series of flat swampland, inland seas, eventual drying out to create deserts with flowing sand dunes, followed by more of the same sequence over several times over the last 300 million years. The layers of each of these processes is very apparent in the layers making up the park. Dramatic, beautiful, awe inspiring - yes it lives up to every description that you have ever heard about this park. I was a little dissapointed that the road out to "Delicate Arch" was closed by rock slides so we were not able to see it. Stopped at the "Windows" and walked up to the top to see through to the valley on the other side. Breathtaking.

June 13th Moab Utah

Sunday June 13th I signed up for an offroad tour of Canyonland NP up to the top of "Island in the Sky". Met the guide at the Navtec office in Moab at 7:45 a.m. and boarded a large SUV with three rows of seats. Being first on, I took shotgun up front for the tour. We drove to a campground on the north end of town to pick up the other passengers, a family from Massachusetts, husband, wife, two college age children. We all drove from there on up north and turned off of US-191 to follow the Colorado River westward. Some miles down the river we stopped at the main boat launch facility for a break. From that point we were off road (well, off of the main roads) onto well traveled dirt tracks bouncing over the rocks. Stopped at one point to view the ancient pictographs left some 1300 - 2000 years ago. On up to the big bend in the Colorado river and took a movie of the panorama. I tried to upload the three minute movie into the blog, but 7 hours later I finally pulled the plug. Will deal with simple pictures from now on. On up the trail from overlooks to Hoodoos to cliffs going straight up. Then we came to the base of the "Island in the Sky", a plateau 2000 feet above up that looked to be almost straight up. The small trail moved back and forth across the side of the cliff, switchback after switchback, and climbing higher at each one. The view out my window was virtually straight down and the base was getting further and further away. At the top, I took this picture off across the Canyonlands and you can see that it is aptly named.

June 11, Colorado Monument Grand Junction

Today we toured the Colorado Monument SP, running between Fruita and Grand Junction, Colorado. Again we had the pleasure of being guided by Carol Smith and enjoying the benefit of her knowledge. The trip up began down by the Fruita entrance to the park. We drove on up the mesa to the Visitors Center, stopping many times to take pictures of the beautiful views along the way. At the Visitors Center we enjoyed two short films, one about the park and the other about the geological formations and how they developed over eons. The incursion of seas, deserts, return of seas, more deserts and sand dunes, an inland lake and more deserts all contributed to these beautiful sandstone structures.

Rested in the afternoon and then over to Robert Jones new (and beautiful home) in Fruita for steaks. Again our sincere gratitude to Carol, and to her entire family here for wonderful hospitality.

June 11, Colorado Monument Grand Junction

un

June 10th,

This morning we were joined by Carol Smith, a long time and very close friend (as well as fellow Lion) with Carl and Anna. Carol is a gracious, lovely lady who showed us around the area for the two days that we were here. Today she took us all on a tour of "Grand Mesa", 10,800 feet up and still snow covered. The drive up to the mesa top was a study is dramatic change, moving from a "High Desert" environment to pristine Alpine beauty. The winding road showed beautiful views as almost every turn and Carol was a marvel with her knowledge of the area. I think that we are all agreed that the clear, quiet lakes, rimmed with snow banks and evergreen trees were the highlight of many highlights on that trip. I am including a photograph of one of those beautiful lake views.

After lunch, excellently prepared Buffalo burgers, we stopped by Murdoch's Ag and Farm store where Carl bought a western hat, possibly the first of several. This area has begun a growing winery/vinyard industry over the last 30 years so, of course, we had to stop by several to critically evalue their wares. Must have been good, because we all ended up with a number of bottles. The evening ended with meeting Carol's sister, Phyllis husband Bob Jones at Olive Garden (more wine of course).

June 9th, Moving to Grand Junction, Colorado

Wednesday, June 9th.
Moving on from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction we took CO-24 over to I-25 up to Denver, then around on I-470 to I-70 West. The run over the mountain passes took some doing, as the top of the pass was around 11,900 feet, very impressive, but coming down six and seven percent grades for mile after mile west of the divide took some breaking. Basically we held with truck speeds, and thank goodness for the Chevy engine brake and six speed transmission. Carl made abundant use of second gear at 35-40 mph during the steepest portions. The trip through Glenwood Canyon was breathtaking and one of the most impressive trips that I have made. I can't even describe the beauty of that canyon.
Passed around a number of towns of legend and repute as ski resorts and the vacation spa of the rich and famous, such as Vail, Steamboat Springs, and Aspen.
Arriving at the "RV Ranch CG" about 4:30 p.m. we have completed 1987 miles from the start. Carl and I stopped for fuel in my pickup and he used his charms to find out that "Rib City" was the "spot the locals go". Excellent.

Tuesday, June 8th Cripple Creek, Colorado

Goin' up to Cripple Creek.

That old Bluegrass song ran through my head all day long. The drive up was pleasant on pretty good roads and the parking by the Visitors Center went well. We all walked over to the "Cripple Creek & Victor" narrow guage railway then on downtown. Had to step around Donkey dropping several times as there is apparently a herd of about eleven of them with the run of the town. Maybe that is why so many yards were fenced . ha. Walked on down main street and had lunch in a nice restaurant. Good prices, but then they make their money through the casinos. This is a picture of the Donkey statue in town. Donkey were the main reason for the towns existance so they were presented with their own statue.

Monday, June 7th.

Up to Pikes Peak today.

This morning we loaded into the pickup and drove the narrow, winding road up to the "Manitou Pikes Peak Cog Railway" for a trip to the top. We stopped by first to buy a couple of box lunches to split up between us (bread was dry and the meat skimpy). Then loaded onto the train car, Leadville for the four of us, to our assigned seats. The trip on the cog railway was beautiful with variations of forest trees (the Quaking Aspens were beautiful), Tspires of huge rock formations, lively stream and water falls along the rails, beautiful overlooks, and snow fields. Arriving at the top, walked around the perimeter to view the awesome panorama then stopped into the store for a few of the world famous Pikes Peak Doughnuts. They are among the best that I have tasted. Wonderful day. Breathtaking in several dimensions at 14,115 feet.

Colorado Springs

Arrived at Garden of the Gods CG in Colorado Springs around 2 p.m. Saturday June 5th.

Checked in and set up the RVs for a several day stay then drove to the "Mason Jar Family Restaurant" (recommended by CG staff) for a great meal and relaxed all evening.

Sunday, the 6th, we drove up to the Garden of the Gods park. That is a beautiful park with breathtaking rock formations. We saw a movie about the formations then drove around the park, ending up at Table Rock and Balancing Rock for some climbing.

Wakeeney, Kansas June 4th

Moving on across I-70.
This portion of the trip is progressing quickly. Moved from Ohio on to Effingham, IL on June 2nd then to Odessa, MO on the 3rd. Tonight we are staying at a nice little KOA in Wakeeney, KS (about 40 miles west of Hays) and 2/3 of the way across Kansas. Temperature was running about 98 deg this afternoon and have been going steadily uphill all day. It was interesting watching the scenery change from the Missouri Ozarks and gradually into the White Flint hills of Kansas and finally down into the open plains with wheat fields extending to the horizon. Tomorrow will see us into Colorado Springs and the Garden of the Gods Campground.

Finally, a beginning

First Day.
We met up with Carl and Anna near Gettysburg and got on the road from there about 9:30 Tuesday, June 1st. North up US-15 to I-76 then west across Pennsylvania to the split with I-70. Continued on I-70 through the neck of West Virginia and into Ohio. Pennsylvania does live up to its billing as having some of the worse roads in the U.S., however I will say that I-76 did have its good areas also. Pulled into Spring Valley Campground, near I-77 / I-70 intersection for the night. Very nice campground. Neat and well cared for with a lot of pull throughs. A little too near the interstate so the noise level was up, but we slept through. I would recommend the CG to anyone coming this direction. We will be stopping here on our last day before home in July. We are on our way and looking forward to the trip.
Clark & Carolyn