October 2003 |
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Black Hills of Dakota to Cheyenne, Wyoming
Decided on the less scenic route via I-25 which took us to the southern side of Cheyenne to A.B. Camping for a week. Since our niece Lynn was flying home from Denver and we were headed to Utah next to meet up with yet more visitors from the old country this was a good location. Anyone who visits Wyoming must expect to be living at altitude. Most state maps mark the highest point in the state but Wyoming state maps identify the lowest point, 3,125 feet in the northeastern corner. At this time of year the altitude can result in cool temperatures as evidenced by the trees on the RV park shedding leaves big time. However this will get Lynn partially acclimatized for her return to Scotland.
Wyoming is one of those states that epitomize the size & space of the USA making you realize just how much room there is for expansion:
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Snowy Range Pass - At 10,847 feet, this pass situated in the Rocky mountains makes for a scenic drive. Unfortunately the rain/sleet started before we reached the summit, but cleared somewhat at the top. This allowed us to get out of the truck and look around although the views were not exactly clear & sunny. There was a marked absence of wildlife, they were either sheltering from the weather or had already descended to lower altitudes in readiness for the winter. As we descended the the weather gradually got worse and we returned to Cheyenne via I-80, which in better weather would have been quite scenic. After a long day nobody felt like cooking so we had an excellent dinner at a Red Lobster (Fish & Seafood), biscuits to die for, in Cheyenne. Lynn was keen to try Catfish and although we tried to dissuade her she did. Fortunately she included it as one of three selections as she wasn't too impressed with the Catfish.
Historic Cheyenne - Visited the historic area of Cheyenne, including the Governors House and a most interesting museum. Wyoming has two nicknames the Cowboy State & the Equality State. The latter came about as the First Territorial Assembly of Wyoming was the first government in the world? to grant women the right to vote, in 1869. Wyoming was very rich in minerals, (Coal, Oil & Uranium) and this is still a large part of the economy today. The state is also a Dinosaur's graveyard and the museum exhibits some very big bones. Our niece Lynn is a little gem as she found a Microbrewery & Restaurant (C.B. & Potts!) where we enjoyed guess what? Yeah Pizza & Microbrew beer, in the happy hour.
The young barmaids were dressed in revealing fashion - Tartan mini mini skirts, stockings with suspenders, low cut tops, presumably some sort of dress code? Although this was very pleasing to the male eye, and the barmaids seemed quite happy, you wonder about the owners making this a condition of employment? Lets face it any bar selling excellent beer & good food is already a goldmine!
Cowgirl in the Cowboy State - 
One of Lynn's "must do's"during her holiday was to go horse riding and where could be more appropriate than the Cowboy State. The stables next to our RV site were recommended & handy, so off she went on a two hour ride. Since she hadn't been on a horse for years we talked her out of riding up narrow tracks to the top of mountains and suggested she keep to the prairies. The next days stiffness & pain was well worth it, or so she said ( she now walks like a cowboy!).
Rocky Mountain NP - Colorado - As Lynn was flying out from Denver we decided to leave early and make a short visit to the Rocky Mountain National Park. It was a bright sunny and warm day as we left Cheyenne so we all donned our shorts. Although we had visited the NP before it was still exciting to see it again especially with someone to whom it was new, share her excitement! We had not taken into account the drop in temperature at 12,000 feet, the highest point in the park. Sub 40 degrees in shorts is rather cool but we didn't care if our knees turned blue the scenery was magnificent. Arrived at Denver Airport ( via Toll roads, usually avoid those) in plenty of time for Lynn's flight home. We were sad to see her go, but pleased she had enjoyed her holiday. She will always remember Yellowstone NP, Little Bighorn NM, the Black Hills of Dakota, traveling over mountain passes of 10,000 feet, wildlife including - Elk, Buffalo, Pronghorns & other deer, Mountain Goats, Bighorn Sheep, wild Burro's and Prairie Dogs.
She will also remember a very windy night in Montana and the terror she experienced? The wind was really blowing in the middle of the night vibrating the awning above the bedroom slide. Linda got up, put on some clothes and grabbed her metal pole used to put the awning up. This whole procedure was very noisy, it even wakened Wullie, but Lynn slept through it all and only awoke after Linda re-entered the RV. When Lynn awoke from a deep sleep a wild haired woman was standing over her with a metal rod. She sat up, screamed and curled herself into a ball in abject terror (Linda can have that effect?). Auntie Linda eventually got Lynn's heartbeat & pulse back to normal apologizing profusely all the while. Lynn didn't see a Bear during her holiday, she did see a Rattlesnake but Auntie Linda in the night was much more scary!
Her holiday is over so we have to do our own thing like visit Costco to stock up for our next visitors and collect some Colorado Microbrew's for future consumption. On the way home we made a detour to Fort Collins, CooperSmiths Brewpub, for a pint of hand pulled bitter and a pizza. Both were just as good as we remembered from before.
Cheyenne, Wyoming to Bryce Canyon NP via Green River, Utah
We needed to be at Bryce Canyon NP in Utah 2 days after Lynn flew home as our next visitors arrive in Las Vegas 2 days after that. We need to pick them up in Las Vegas and transport them to their cabin at Ruby's Inn, Bryce Canyon NP. Although this 450 mile journey to Green River was all on Interstates it was far from boring as we crossed the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and followed the Colorado River into southeastern Utah with its colourful mountains and sandstone cliff formations. We arrived in Green River in the late afternoon and as this was an overnight stop didn't bother to unhook the RV. We hoped to make an early start next day to finish our journey to Bryce. We did make an early start but the next 240 miles to Bryce were once again remarkably scenic. Since we had never travelled this section of I-70 before, we stopped at all the viewpoints along the way and admired the wonderful views. Filled up with petrol at Richfield just before we hit US 89. We've travelled on this highway on numerous occasions. US 89 runs from the Mexican border in Arizona to the Canadian border in Montana and has got to be the most consistently scenic highway in the western USA. Yet again it lived up to our expectations, the first 10 miles through a winding canyon carved by the Sevier river to the famous Big Rock Candy Mountain (Burl Ives song -"Where the lemonade springs and the Bluebird sings, on the Big Rock Candy Mountain") no wonder they wrote a song about this beauty spot. Followed the Sevier river to the Bryce Canyon turnoff, gasped once again as we passed through Red Canyon and Arrived at Ruby's Inn in the early afternoon. When we checked in we confirmed that the Thomsons, Lorraine, Ally & Jack would be arriving on the Saturday to take occupation of their cabin. We were assured all was well and were given their cabin number so we could spy it out. Our site was spacious and relatively close to their cabin as arranged when we made the reservation. The weather was hot with not a cloud in the sky and in Linda speak that means Wullie is cooking on the BBQ.
Pickup in Las Vegas - Since their flight arrived in Las Vegas in the morning we decided to take some miles out of the journey and stopped in a Motel in St. George for the night, reducing the traveling distance the following day. We have travelled the interstate between St. George & Las Vegas so often the truck knows the way itself which allows us to enjoy the scenery in Utah, Arizona & Nevada. The difference in time zones between Utah & Nevada effectively gave us an extra hour to get to the airport but we had to pay that back on the return journey. They arrived on time, looking remarkably fresh after their overnight stay in Los Angeles. Young Jack was really impressed by our "big" truck. The 250 miles back to Bryce Canyon were broken by a stop in St. George for lunch and supplies. We returned to Bryce via Cedar City, a very scenic road we were all impressed with. It was dusk when we arrived at Ruby's Inn (our visitors were tired by now) to find the Thomson's cabin had been given to someone else. Thankfully they had not un-packed so we were just in time. The young man who had checked us in and ensured us all was OK with the Thomsons cabin was the fool to gave it to other visitors. The senior man on duty sorted it out and in conversation he established we should have a discount for staying a week which his junior had denied us at check in. The people who had been given the cabin were English and had driven 500 miles from Death Valley that day. Unfortunately there were no cabins vacant for the two nights stay they wanted so they had to go searching for somewhere else, not too happy and who could blame them.
Bryce Canyon NP - Lorraine & Ally's cabin was fine and the electric heater was a godsend as it was rather cold a few nights during our stay. Visited Bryce to give our visitors their first look and they were suitably impressed. Strolled around the rim and visited a few viewpoints before returning home, Jack to the swimming pool, Ally to the Hot tub, Lorraine to a glass (or two) of wine. For our first serious walk we descended into the canyon at Sunrise Point, visited Queens Garden, completed the Peekaboo Loop and ascended to Sunset point via the Navaho trail. A most exhilarating day, surrounded by beauty (Ally, Wullie & Jack?) beneath a clear blue sky and although it wasn't too hot the low humidity necessitated a large liquid intake. Wullie & Linda hiked the 8 miles Fairyland trail on a very hot day, too hot for Jack who enjoyed more time in the swimming pool.
Kodachrome Basin SP - Took a trip to Kodachrome Basin State Park with its towering sandstone chimneys changing in colour & shadow at different times of day. 
Because of the colour & contrast The National Geographic Society, with permission from Kodak, named the park Kodachrome. We hiked part of the park enjoying the photo opportunities, warm weather and blue skies. Wullie & Jack found an Indian cave and re-enacted some traditional dances & chants. On our return journey we stopped and walked part of the Mossy Cave trail which partly follows a manmade channel carrying water from the Sevier river, to the west of Bryce, to the Tropic valley and the town of Tropic. A very pleasant stroll to a small waterfall, Natural Arches and yet another Indian Cave to stimulate Wullie & Jack's fertile imagination. This sort of made up for Jack missing his daily swim.
Red Canyon - As you drive towards Bryce canyon from the west you pass through Red Canyon and we reckon lots of folks think that this is the start of Bryce. The descriptive word "RED" does not do the colour here justice. From the road this is a real beauty spot but expend the effort & time to hike the 4 mile Red Canyon Loop trail, as from Ledge Point the canyon and surrounding area's beauty is magnified. At the end of a nice gentle hike Jack enjoyed climbing into the bed of the truck for a drive around the parking lot.
Ruby's Inn - This is a little goldmine (actually not so little) with the campsite, cabins, 3/4 two storey Motels, shops, two restaurants and a Liquor store. Our RV site was quite spacious and we ate most of our evening meals outside. On the cooler evenings we lit a campfire much to young Jack's delight, especially when some idiot had him doing an Indian dance around it to keep the bad spirits away. During our stay the RV toilet broke down which in itself was not too big a problem, but since the plan was for all of us to live in the RV for 3 nights at Zion NP something had to be done. We examined all the possibilities and decided to take the RV to a repair shop in Hurricane (near Zion) and stay a night in a Motel. This worked out quite well and Jack was well impressed with the Motel's large swimming pool.
Evie Wilson - During our stay at Bryce Canyon we received the terrible news that our 92 year old friend in Triumph, Illinois had died. We were devastated at the news and distressed that we would be unable to pay our last respects at the actual funeral. However Linda & Wullie both had conversations with this remarkable lady, while out hiking, explaining the situation. As ever her kindness and good sense helped us to come to terms with the situation, leaving us far from happy but at least at some sort of peace. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. She had such energy, enthusiasm and a positive attitude, even at 92, that she was a lesson to us all. Wullie sometimes addressed her as Lady Wilson in a lighthearted manner, but she was truly a Lady in so many different ways. We feel we gained an awful lot from knowing her even if it was only for 4 1/2 years, and she will live on in our hearts forever.
Zion NP, 18th October - This was quite a momentous day for our move to Zion, as this was both Ally & Wullies birthday. There is a slight difference in age (20 years is nothing when you are 60?). Wullie had decreed that there would be no talk of birthdays, parties, cards or presents until the RV was parked & set up. This was achieved in record time as everyone wanted to see the cards and presents. 
Some even wanted to start the party and opened the bottles in the early afternoon. Wullie (senior camper) had volunteered to cook a filet steak Birthday dinner for all. Copious amounts of wine, beer and spirits were consumed by all except Jack. A load of rubbish was talked and laughed about except by Jack. He had given up on the stupid adults and was watching cartoons. Just before midnight Ally (only 40?) fell of the spar mumbling something about going to bed. Wullie (60) stayed the course and was neither up nor down. Jack had taken to wearing a sleeping mask he had acquired on the flight over. When Lorraine, Linda & Wullie finally retired to bed, Jack was sleeping with his mask on and Ally was sprawled across the bed with mouth wide open! To prove his relative sobriety Wullie remarked to Lorraine "Looks like your sleeping with Batman & Robin tonight". The resulting hoots of laughter had no effect on the gruesome twosome. This was the first night we had all slept in the RV - managed very well for the next three nights.
Emerald Pools/The Narrows - Took the NP bus into Zion and hiked the Emerald Pools trail which gives some nice views of the canyon walls. On a hot day Jack & Wullie particularly enjoyed the waterfall effect of water from the middle Emerald Pool tumbling over a cliff of rock onto their heads. An effective way of cooling down. Continued on the NP bus to the end of it's route, the Temple of Sinawa. We walked from there to the "Narrows" of the Virgin river. This area was quite busy today with many visitors walking upstream. The area upstream is known as the Narrows because the river has carved a very narrow canyon through the sandstone, with many side canyons branching off. A pile of "staves" for keeping ones balance were piled up neatly along with some spare footwear. Ally, Jack and Linda equipped themselves with a stave each and waded quite a way up the Narrows. They were away for 2 hours so you could say they enjoyed it, especially young Jack.
Inspiration Point - The views from Inspiration Point high above the Canyon floor are tremendous. The last time we hiked up from the canyon floor but that is a long hot hike for young Jack so we thought we would hike it the easy way. This entailed driving out of the NP to the rim of the canyon near the Ponderosa Hunting Club. We found the Ponderosa and one sign to the trailhead thereafter but the signs ran out. When the rutted dirt track got so narrow the branches of the bushes were coming in the truck Linda decided we were lost and ordered a stop. Wullie, Jack & Ally carried on, on foot, but we still couldn't find the trailhead. Turned the truck around and stopped for lunch on the eastern side of the NP. Hiked the Canyon Overlook trail at the east end of the tunnel. This is a fun trail which ends up on the edge of a cliff overlooking the East Temple, MT. Spry and Bridge mountain as well as Zion. It was at the edge of the cliff that we discovered Ally was not too keen on heights and we couldn't entice him out on the ledge at all.
Las Vegas, Circus Circus - We were staying in the RV park at Circus Circus and the Thomsons were in the hotel. We visited as many of the 'Big featured" casino's along the strip as possible and Ally & Lorraine were quite stunned by the size & class of such as Bellagio, Caesar's Palace, Venetian etc. 
One evening we took the public bus to the Freemont Experience in downtown Las Vegas. This has become even more entertaining since our last visit. The street entertainers were very good and the Laser light shows were even better than we remembered. I think this was probably Lorraine's favourite part of Las Vegas. Had a meal and some good brew's in the station Brewpub. When we went to catch the public bus back to the strip we were on the wrong side of the road trying to get on the correct number bus. This meant the bus was going in the wrong direction, but rather than put us off the conductress gave us a free ride to the Bus Station 2 minutes away. When she explained what the story was, Wullie thought OK we go to the Bus Station and stay on the bus while it turns round! Wrong , we had to get off and wait a few minute for the outgoing bus. Now it is well known that city bus stations all over the world are not considered the safest of places at nighttime! Only Wullie seemed aware of this fact but he was sure glad to see the bus pull in.
It's hard to believe but the Thomsons 2 week holiday is over and it's time to take them to the airport for their flight to Glasgow via Los Angeles & Dublin. We know they have had a great holiday, a mixture of outstanding natural beauty and the commercial glitz of Las Vegas. Lets just hope Jack is not disappointed by the lack of Indian caves in Auchtermuchty or his dads refusal to light a wood fire in the garden. Lets also hope he loses the sleeping mask?
We have one night left in Las Vegas before heading for Arizona so we plan to visit some of the Casino's we missed and would you believe one of them has a Microbrewery with good food.
Circus Circus to Apache Junction, Arizona
Moved to Carefree Manor RV Resort, Apache Junction at a bargain price of $96 for 8 nights. Had a very spacious site, looked quite new. Hummingbirds are still out and about here so out came the feeder, plus the ordinary bird feeder. The finches are certainly greedy, especially when nobody is around as there was no seed left when we came home after a day out. Had to inform them of our pension status and limit them to one fill a day.
Apache Trail - Drove scenic highway 88 stopping at all the viewpoints on the often dusty, bumpy road. The center section is dirt track and ascends & descends quite steeply through some beautiful scenery. Visited Tonto National Monument whose cliff dwellings date back to 1500's. Looped back to the RV on a very scenic portion of US 60 with a beautiful sunset.
California Brush Fires - The terrible fires, destroying property & people in California threaten pollution for this part of Arizona the next two days so the nice sunsets may disappear.
Next month - Another week in Arizona then head to Port Aransas, Texas - it's now time to realx for the winter..
Miles traveled this month: 3,305
Total miles traveled since May 1999: 102,802
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