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Home, sweet home. We drove almost 500 miles on Sunday, Oct. 13. Total trip mileage - 8,106 miles. All in all, another great trip. We are so......lucky.
Comments from Eldon: I love my high ceilings and flushing toilets. Oh, and I was getting tired of dumping the tanks. All in all, the trip was marvelous.
Comments from Harry: I can actually run now - I love my house. All in all, it was a good trip. As long as I'm with Cindy and Eldon, I'm a happy camper.

Shut out of Rocky Mountain National Park compliments of the federal government

Way past time for a quick update. So, not believing the government would actually shut down the national parks, we headed for Rocky Mountain National Park. This would have been our 17th national park/monument of this trip; but unbelievably we were shut out. We spent the night in Steamboat Springs, a nice ski town for sure. Tuesday, the 2nd, we drove north around Rocky Mountain Park, with the plan of going to the town Estes Park. It was a beautiful drive, probably similar to the park, but we'll never know (well, not this trip anyway.) When we get all the way around, we discover two of the roads into Estes are still closed due to the massive flooding. We spent the night in Longmont, CO. There is another road to Estes, but the weather was supposed to be super cold and snowy and the park was still closed. So, we threw in the towel for Rocky Mountain. We moved up our visit with nephew, Chris, and family from the 5th to the 3rd. After a nice visit with them, we have since been slowly heading east. A pleasant trip, but not too eventful. Spent 2 nights in Fort Morgan, CO. It was so windy and some snow, we decided not to battle the wind the 2nd day and stayed put. Overnighted after that in McCook, NE, Lincoln, NE, Ottumwa, Iowa, Peoria, IL and Monticello, IN.And here we are in Canton, OH for Nick and Jill's wedding on the 12th.

1,000 year old graffitti - Dinosaur National Monument

We spent Saturday walking around Park City. It's a nice, historic town even without snow. Sunday we went to Utah State Natural History Museum and spent the night in Vernal. Today we went to the Dinosaur National Monument since we were driving right by it on Rt. 40. Neither one of us are into the dinosaur thing, but it turned out we spent the whole day there. Besides dinosaur bones and fossils, there were a lot of petroglyphs ( thus the 1,000 year old graffitti) . We are back in Colorado - Dinosaur, Colorado to be exact.
Comments from Eldon: The drive from Park City to the Dinosaur National Monument was a pleasant drive - basically stayed on summits and quite majestic. The petroglyphs were a lot more interesting to me than the dinosaurs. Apparently this was one beautiful valley for hundreds of millions of years. This is the second time, the other being at Capitol Reef National Park, that we saw petroglyphs drawn by the Fremont people - apparently they liked to travel to.
Comments from Harry: I missed my nap today because I rode up front with Cindy & Eldon - so I'm going to take one now.

Salt Lake City

We stayed in Salt Lake City an extra day because it was snowing in the Wasatch Mountains. Didn't want to deal with that! Cold and rainy our whole time here. Oh well, can't be winners all the time. We took the campground shuttle down town to Temple Square. The temple is huge and ornate - it took 40 years to build. It was time for an oil change and we had time to kill yesterday. Wouldn't you know.....when the kid drove our camper into the bay, he forgot to check that the door was all the way up. Duh......we now have a new air conditioner cover courtesy of Jiffy Lube. On our way to Park City today.
Comments from Eldon: The weather hasn't been cooperative the last few days. We drove into Salt Lake City battling heavy side winds. In Mormon words, we were seeking sanctuary.
Comments from Harry: The sun is finally out today, and its not windy. I'm ready to get out of the city and back on the road again.

Bonus: Great Basin National Park

While on the Lonliest Road (yes, it was pretty lonely) on our way to Salt Lake City, we were going to drive by the Great Basin National Park. Never heard of it; but of course, we had to stop. There is a term for us I'd never heard before - "Parkies". It is the 9th least visited national park in the country; but what a treasure. A scenic 12 mile drive straight up Wheeler Peak to 13,000 feet, a nice hike, and a 90 minute tour in Lehmann's Cave.
Comments from Eldon: My favorite thing on the Lonliest Road was the Fed-Ex truck we saw going the opposite direction - that would make him the lonliest Fed-Ex driver. Great Basin NP was extremely pretty with the aspens just starting to change color to yellow.  Lehmann Cave is only the 2nd cave I've ever been in - far superior to the Wind Cave in South Dakota. Remarkable formations as you can see in the picture.
Comments from Harry: It's been cold and windy. Very windy. Too windy to go outside.

Lake Tahoe & Virginia City NV

Lake Tahoe is beautiful. We had a camp site about 100 yards from the lake. Nice pines all around with mountains in the background. We have been across the Sierra Nevada mountains 3 times now. The drive to Tahoe was stunning - with lots and lots of 10 - 20 mph switchbacks. Today we took a short drive to Carson City (didn't really spend any time there) and Virginia City. The downtown is nicely preserved with old buildings from the gold and silver mining days. It is COLD. Just turned the heat on in the camper. For fans of the old western TV show, Bonanza - Virginia City is Ponderosa country. Heading East on the so-called "Lonliest Road" tomorrow.
Comments from Eldon:  Spent a night on the San Andreas fault - not even a rumble, but there were mules braying and wild turkeys roaming. Once again, we toured the Sierra Nevada mountains. They are about 9,000 feet - not a bad drive and very beautiful. I love the pines. Green is good. The aspens should be colorful when we get to the Rockies. Tahoe was relaxing - its always good to be near the water. I don't mean to complain, but wish it was a little warmer - not Death Valley warm though. Virginia City is a step back to my childhood TV days - Sunday nights watching Bonanza with Grandpa and Grandma - I was expecting to see Little Joe and Hoss any minute.
Comments from Harry: Donkeys are cool - turkeys are dumb. I got a new collar today - my old one was too small. Guess I need more exercise.

From Death Valley to Yosemite

Wow - only 10,000 foot change in elevation from Death Valley to Yosemite. What can I say about Death Valley??? It's brown and hot - 111 degrees - but it's a "dry heat" - that means you can shrivel up and die without breaking a sweat. Now, on to the more exciting and picturesque Yosemite. We heard the road through the park was open again since the fire is finished and decided to go. Oh yea, another beautiful national park. There is still some smoldering smoke, but not bad. Lots of devastation, but its a big place so much beauty is still intact. El Capitan and Half Dome were clear and bright in the shining sun. Plus we are loving all the green trees and cool temperatures.
Comments from Eldon: After Las Vegas, Death Valley was an extreme opposite. Nothing as far as you can see; and I mean nothing for miles and miles and miles.  Rhyolite, a ghost town, was interesting and the

highlight of Death Valley - a turn of the century mining town with many remaining remnants. Getting to Mono Lake yesterday was a pleasure after the desert. Yosemite has  alpine meadows, mountain lakes, waterfalls and amazing granite mountain obelisks and best of all, the giant Sequoia trees. An enjoyable journey here - we've been up and down many, many mountains this trip.
Comments from Larry:  A bear was knocking garbage cans around last night - rough night sleeping. The night before 3 wild burros were tromping around our campground - I like them though.. I had to ride up front with Cindy & Eldon in Death Valley because they were afraid I'd over heat. Today I got to nap in the camper where it was nice and cool and peaceful - I love Yosemite too.

Let's see ...... where have we been in the last week????? From Page we went to Lake Powell and visited friends we met in Alaska. From there we went to Hoover Dam and Lake Mead. Do you notice a lake theme here? Maybe we are a little homesick! Then on to Las Vegas. Interesting place; we went in all the major casinos, did a little gambling, went to a comedy show and the Mob Attraction. Will probably never go again - but I can say I've been there! Spent the weekend in Pahrump, NV with a friend who moved there from St. Ignace. Guess we did quite a bit in a week.
Comments from Eldon: It was nice be around the water. The friends we met up with are full-timers. That means they have sold their home and now live permanently in a 43 foot motor home. It's beautiful - they had 8 for dinner with room to spare. A nice break from the turtle - but don't get me wrong - I love my turtle (our camper). Between Lake Powell and Mead, we took an interesting detour. About a mile off the highway is the community of Colorado City. Probably the most unwelcome place I've ever been - it is home of the FLDS sect (Fundamental Latter Day Saints - otherwise known as polygamists.) No smiles, just stares, children motioning for us to get out of town, and being followed by a police car until we were out of the city limits. In Vegas, we stayed at the Circus Circus campground. So, we were on the strip and took the bus all over - two days was enough and ready to move on.
Comments from Harry: I spent most of the week in the air conditioned camper. Cindy has been teaching me how to walk on my leash better.

In Page, AZ. Today we went to Antelope slot canyon. Fantastic. We heard about this canyon from a German couple we had lunch with in Zion. They said it was the best thing they had seen. So, being the unscheduled people we are, we decided to come to Page. The canyon is on Navajo land. There is a tour fee; they put you in a monster truck and off you go. The pictures will tell you the rest......
Comments from Eldon: I felt like I was in a Salvador Dali painting. But it was realistic, not surrealistic. I'm debating in my mind, but this could be the best thing I've seen in all our travels.
Comments from Harry: I stayed in the air-conditioned camper today. It was cool.

North Rim - Grand Canyon

Grand Canyon was beautiful. Nice and cool there too. We agree the south rim is prettier, but the nice thing about the North Rim - it is not crowded.
Comments from Eldon: The Grand Canyon was cool. My first cloudless night - and the stars were unbelievable.
Comments from Harry: Cindy is trying to get me to walk better on a leash - I think it is kind of ridiculous, but we'll see. The Kaibab squirrels have white tails, dark bodies - weird.

Zion National Park

I gotta say - Zion National Park is nice. But I still liked Bryce better. It was hot, hot, hot - 98 or so degrees. In Zion, you are in the bottom of the canyons looking up. In Canyonlands, you are at the top looking down. You have to take the shuttle in Zion, no driving - which is fine with us. Yesterday we walked to the Narrows; after you reach the Narrows where canyons come together the rocky creek is the trail - we decided not to do that. We reached our goal of seeing all five southern Utah national parks - are we spoiled are what? We are in Kanab, UT tonight - we decided we needed air conditioning and showers. Heading to the north rim of the Grand Canyon tomorrow. Oh yea, stopped at Pipe Spring National Monument on our drive today. It was a Mormon church settlement; they talked about how it affected the Paiute Indians. We are in the remote part of Utah where polygamists settled when polygamy was outlawed so Utah could become a state. Pretty sure I saw some sister wives at the grocery today - I am NOT joking.
Comments from Eldon: I liked Zion a lot - I would have liked it better with more shade or less sun. You don't get much shade from 4 foot trees. I liked the tranquility of dry camping, but tonight I am enjoying the luxury of air conditioning and TV, even with the outside traffic. More mule deer all over - its getting to the point I don't need any more pictures. The view from the bottom of a canyon is different from what we have been seeing. Not sure I like it better. For me, Mesa Verde is still my favorite national park of the trip. We drove through off-shoot LDS country today - Cindy & I tried to guess which homes were polygamists by their size. In Kanab where we are tonight, it is famous for its stables of Hollywod horses. Trigger, Silver, and Scout all lived here during filming of Roy Rogers and The Lone Ranger. How cool is that? Still feel like I'm riding in a Western.
Comments from Harry: They made me ride up front again today because Cindy was afraid I'd get heat stroke. I have seen so many deer at campgrounds, I don't really care anymore. The babies are cute though. Met a nice woman from Toronto last night who had to pet me, but I liked the little girl from France the night before better. Oui, Oui.

Bryce Canyon

So hard to pick...but I think Bryce Canyon is my favorite of the 6 national parks we have been to so far. Yesterday and today we took the park shuttle service around the park and got off at all the view points and some trails. This is another one that doesn't need much commentary - the pictures say it all.
Comments from Eldon: If they served pie here too this would be my favorite. But since they don't, it's one of my favorites. The first day here I knew I was in the West because I saw "the deer and the antelope play." There seem to be as many Europeans visiting the national parks as Americans.
Comments from Larry: I had a Steller jay visit me - they are a pretty bird. Apparently smart too - its said they can mimic cats. I nap well in high altitude when E & C are out on adventures.

Capitol Reef National Park to Grand Staircase/Escalante National Monument to Bryce Canyon National Park

Unfortunately, it rained a lot at Capitol Reef. It is the least visited of the 5 national parks in southern Utah and the hardest to get to. Also, just as beautiful as Arches and Canyonlands. Some of its roads were closed due to flash flooding in the canyons. From Capitol Reef we took Scenic US 12 Byway to Petrified Forest State Park in the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument. It is a huge, remote area and was the last part of the continental U.S. to be mapped. We were up and down the mountains all day - unfortunately it was rainy and foggy - a white knuckle ride at times. We stayed an extra day at the Petrified State Forest because of the rain (no flash floods). The petrified wood is interesting. Arrived at Bryce Canyon today. Staying at a RV place right outside the park - the park provides free shuttle service so the "Turtle" gets a rest for a few days.
Comments from Eldon:  I don't understand why Capitol Reef is the least visited. The Fruita heritage Mormon area in Capitol Reef was full of orchards and better yet the park service sells fruit pies from the orchards to support the park. What a good idea!!! The Mormons planted the trees in the 1880's and irrigated them from a creek. The park has maintained the orchard since taking over the area in the 1940's.  Because of the orchards, the campground was full of pretty tame deer. I have never saw so many deer in one place. What a good life for a deer in a desert climate - all those fruit trees and no hunters. The drive through the Escalante was wheel gripping. Both sides of the road went straight down - way down. I'm almost glad it was foggy so I couldn't see exactly how far down. Petrified Forest was cool.
Comments from Harry: I got to see deer eye-to-eye at Capitol Reef. They weren't scared of me and I wasn't scared of them. Deer are my friend.

Just traveled from Moab to Torrey today - about 150 miles. This part of Utah is very desolate. We had to be on I-70 for 30 miles - even the interstate didn't have gas for 100 miles. It is a marvel that anyone had the guts to travel this part of the country in a covered wagon. Saw part of Capitol Reed National Park - planning to go there tomorrow to camp 2 days.

Comments from Eldon: I've now eaten at 2 of the voted top 10 hamburger joints in Utah. After we do the national parks, I might try to do the other 8 (just joking)

Comments from Harry: I got nothin' today. Oh yea, it is cooler here - I like that.

Today was Canyonlands National Park. Yesterday we checked out Moab and did laundry and other chores. Moab is a nice little town with friendly, regular people who seem to enjoy the outdoors and life - a laid back atmosphere. We felt we were at the Grand Canyon today. The canyons were not as deep as the Grand and not as wide an area, but very impressive. On to our 5th national park tomorrow - Capital Reef.
Comments from Eldon: Moab is a nice, slow paced little community where I felt comfortable. A gentleman told me just to go slow in the 100 degree heat - I can do that very well. Canyonlands was not as awe inspiring as the Grand Canyon but still specacular - a nice mini-version.
Comments from Harry: It is thundering, lightning, and hailing - I don't like it.

Arches National Park - Moab, Utah

No commentary today. The pictures say all you need to know......