I make it to Phantom Ranch’s Canteen in plenty of time to down a couple of beers before they close at 4:00pm to prepare for the evening meals. But first, Kate, the bartender/hostess/receptionist/wait staff tells me to go to the dorm first to secure my spot. “Pick any available bed that has a towel folded on it.” It’s late in the afternoon, so I am thinking I’ll be lucky if I can secure a lower bunk. Continue reading
Once back from my white knuckle drive from White Pocket, the rains roll in right on cue, just as forecasted. I am feeling a great deal of gratitude for making it back safely without getting stuck. Rain on the 10 mile sandy stretch could possibly help pack down the loose sand, but the rest of the road is likely to be a muddy mess. Continue reading
Back in 2014 during a visit to the Zion National Park Visitor Center, I opened up one of those fancy coffee table books with the slick pages touting the top scenic destinations in southern Utah. As I typically do, I thumbed through the pages mentally checking off those I’ve seen, while evaluating the “Wow factor” of those I haven’t. Most of the glossy, full page photos were of places Continue reading
I write a lot about the physical aspect of going it alone on this blog, but rarely delve into the emotional aspect. People often recoil at the notion that I am traveling/hiking/biking/kayaking/RVing alone. I recently had a man stop me on the trail just to ask if I was hiking alone. He remarked that he was seeing more and more solo women on the trail, and did I think it was because of “the book?” I replied perhaps, but I have been hiking solo 20 years before Cheryl Strayed wrote the “Wild.” In fact, traveling alone is Continue reading
I only planned to stop in Zion for a few days, just long enough to say a quick “hello” to my friends and revisit a few of my favorite places. I came with my usual “list:” Ride my bike to the end of the road, stopping for soft serve ice cream at Zion Lodge. See a couple of movies. Spend time with my favorite cottonwoods along the Virgin River as they turn from green to gold. And hike at least one trail I’ve never hiked before. But once I arrived, so did Indian Summer. Continue reading
Even though I set my intentions to see “all new things” on my southerly migration this year, there are a few favorite stops that I just can’t bypass, one of which is my favorite state park in the little Snow Canyon just outside of St. George, Utah.
I first visited Snow Canyon while staying at the Red Mountain Resort back in 2006 for Thanksgiving weekend as a “spa getaway.” I took several of the guided hikes from the resort which sits at the gateway to the state park. It was my first experience ever hiking slick rock, and my first time to ever hear “trust your shoes.” I can still remember Continue reading
I mentioned in my last post that there were two places I wanted to visit in Kanaraville. The Red Ledge RV Park would provide the best possible position to explore them both. I knew the park was within easy driving distance for the Tracker to make it to Cedar Breaks National Monument. What I didn’t realize is that it would be within walking distance of my second destination, Kanarraville Falls. Continue reading
As I start my southerly migration down through Utah this fall, my intentions are to visit some new places I have not been before…places I read about and wanted to see, but the timing or logistics has just never lined up. Two such places are in close proximity to Kanarraville. I check the Passport America website to find there is an RV Park right in the heart of Kanarraville…little else…no restaurants, no grocery stores, but right there in the center of the tiny town is the Red Ledge RV Park. Continue reading
I recently hit that major milestone all RVers look forward to, the National Parks Senior Pass. Or as I hoped it was really called, “The Golden Age Passport.” I’d much rather view life from the “golden age” than that of a “Senior.” I came to hike over 6 miles at 10,000 ft elevation, which doesn’t make me feel much like a senior, but if that’s what they want to call free admission for life and 50% off of all campsites, Continue reading
Don and I part ways temporarily after Craters of the Moon. I am headed to Boise to see good friends known on this blog as “Tom the Awning Fixer” and his lovely bride Corinne, who graciously hosted me for a bit of Boise driveway surfing and a fabulous dinner. (No photos, as I all but changed the names to protect the innocent.) Don went on to wander in the forest, trying to prove J. R. R. Tolkien’s theory that “Not all who wander are lost.” Or are they? Continue reading