Pinnacles Christmas Day

After another wonderful Newman breakfast, we drove to the Pinnacles National Monument. Hwy 25 out of Paso Robles was gorgeous. The sky was very blue and I saw five or six raptors, one soaring right in front of my windshield. We had a picnic lunch just outside of someone's house. The sun is shining! The campgrounds at Pinnacles were nice. For $15.00. including plug in, you also get a store and swimming pool. We were the only ones in our section of the campgrounds. I saw a bob cat or wildcat, cross the road and woke up to deer all around the campgrounds. 

Christmas at Wal Mart

Did you know that Wal Mart encourages RV's to stay overnight in their parking lot for free? John and I left San Simeon looking for a place in Paso Robles. We stopped at Hunt Vineyards along the way. It has a charming tasting room and staff. I bought a bottle of Sangiovese too. Anyone cooking lasagna? I'll bring the wine. Does anyone make spaghetti and meatballs any more? I took my own advice and stopped at the winery with no cars, passing up the big ones. There is a lot of great wine in the world.
I followed the directions from the man in Hunt's tasting room, looking for a store before we stopped for the night. We didn't have a map and we wound up in the parking lot for Wal Mart about 3:00 pm. I let John choose, overnight in Wal Mart or move on, it was his holiday. He choose Wal Mart. We had a delightful evening. John had lights for his RV, a dinner menu planned. I contributed wine. He had a table top Christmas tree, ornaments, table settings, even Christmas bathroom towels. It was a warm and wonderful evening. It was quiet, nobody else in the parking lot although there was a nearby gas station. It was also kind of amusing to watch the number of cars that pulled in to see if McDonalds was open. John said I could have lived there, with Panda Express, a grocery store, Taco Bell, and of course Wal Mart. I did manage to spend $100.00 in Wal Mart before it closed.

Dec 23, Elephant Seals and Cambria

After a full breakfast, Newman style, we went to the elephant seal overlook. It is closer to the animals and a bigger population and space, then the one in Point Reyes. The dogs are allowed along the walkway. With Jack in his stroller, we had a great time. There were mostly males, with only a few females coming in to give birth so far. Three new pups were there and lots of wonderful vocals from the males. The docent was great. He explained that only about 20% of the males ever mate and some "yahoos go on the sand to confront a 3 to 4 thousand pound angry, frustrated animal". They are amazing creatures.
From there we drove to Cambria. Cute town, bought a few things. If anyone finds a pair of dragonfly earrings, with a purple patina, I bought and lost them there. Sorry, Alexandra.We walked along the boardwalk on the ocean side of Cambria and watched the sunset. We met the morning's docent and chatted! Back to the campground for dinner, a star filled sky.

Carrizo Plain

I spent a wonderful evening in the Carrizo Plain National Monument. I was the only one in the parking lot of Soda Lake Overlook. The afternoon and morning light was wonderful. It was cold but I was cozy with my down bag and a furnace, for an evening. The next day I drove out through the plain. It was 35 miles of dirt road, too long, but who knew you could drive for two hours in California and only see two cars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carrizo_Plain_National_Monument
The wikipedia articles is clear and accurate, reliable because I've just been there! Coming down the mountains, into Ojai was beautiful too. 

December 22 Happy Hanukah

I met John at San Simeon State Park. It was sparsely populated, my favorite, and a nice setting on the bluff above the ocean. John was waiting with the table set for Hanukah, blue plates and napkins, Hanukah presents waiting. It was sooo cozy in his RV. There are two arm chairs and a table set with candles and decorations. We lit the Hanukah candles, had a wonderful dinner of salmon pot pie and salad and many desserts. We had a game of Scrabble, very close. The dogs were comfortable inside too. John gave me the advice I needed about keeping my RV warm. Turn off the furnace at night and stay cozy in the down sleeping bad. Turn it back on in the morning. The cycling on and off all night is what drained the battery. I also learned, when I froze my milk, that the refrigerator had to be turned down, from 5 to 1. It wasn't working against the summer heat, instead it was helped by the cold.

August 22, 2006 Recap

Well, I have been home from my trip for a week now, two more days until I go back to work. It was a trip I will always remember. The beauty is/was beyond words. The marvels in this country are breathtaking. The time alone was rejuvenating. The perspective it has given me is restful.

Here is a bit of a recap.

Miles Driven: 2414
Nights away 30
Nights in a motel/hotel 4
RV Parks 3
Approximate cost $3000.00
Gas cost (included above) 800.00


I've learned alot, about RVing, about this country, about myself.
I can now identify pinyon and juniper trees.
I've added words to my vocabulary, like anticline, crytobiotic, hogback.
I know I don't care for RVing when it is really hot out.
RVing is great for getting away from people and being outside.
I love the freedom of being able to camp anywhere, and still have a bathroom and shower!
I've learned I can live on hot dogs, PB and J sandwiches, eggs, cereal, oatmeal and cheese.
Curly is a good judge of character and when it is too hot to walk.
I live in too much of a rush.
I need to complete one thing before I go on to another.
Park in hotel parking lots for free wifi.
I have learned how to create and maintain this blog!

Thanks for reading and joining me on my adventure.

August 14, 2006 The Narrows

August 14, 2006
A great day to end this adventure. I left Curly at the Doggie Dude Ranch, drove and had breakfast at the Majestic View Lodge. Took the shuttle into Zion. Rode the Zion Shuttle up to the last stop, Temple of Sinwava. From there is a a mile river walk, then the “hike” continues into the narrows. The narrows is a slot canyon and you walk in the water. It was sooo fun. I only went about a half a mile, to a spot called little waterfall. To do it properly, you should get outfitted with neoprene boots and a walking stick. I picked up a stick along the way, it really helps for balance. I would like to do more of the Narrows on another trip. Took the shuttle back to town, checked out the tiny local library, had dinner and picked up Curly. We drove a couple of hours and got a hotel just outside of Vegas. La Quinta is pet friendly, with breakfast and internet. It was 94 degrees when we got here at 9:00 last night. Now I’m off for home.

August 13, 2006

Drove in from Kanab back to Zion. I feel so lucky, I got to drive highway 9 into Zion twice! It is still breathtaking. I was looking for the Doggie Dude Ranch, Curly has an appointment and saw the turnoff for Kolob Canyon. One local told me this was his favorite part of the park. Of course it was stunning. It was interesting to see the back side of some of what I saw from inside. It was also less crowded. It is 20 miles up a windy road, paved thank goodness. At the top is Kolob Resevoir, not part of Zion. It is an idyllic lake/resevoir for fishermen etc. It looked like an alpine setting. Drove back down and was going to camp near the river. Too many bugs and too hot. I got a pet room at Canyon Ranch in Springdale, just outside of Zion. Nice people, comfortable room - plain but sufficient. Nice grounds too. Slept well. Curly and I had a bath. Now I will take Curly to the daycare and have a day in Zion. Last day before officially heading home, unless of course I stay one more day. Including a few pictures from the drive yesterday.

August 12, 2006
I’m parked/camped in Kaibab National Forest, about 40 miles from the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. I don’t think I’m going to go there. I hiked down 33 years ago and I’m still cherishing those memories. Also I’ve seen so much astounding beauty already. My favorite spot might be the smallest, Cedar Breaks, a beautiful place to just be without to much to see and do. Grand Staircase-Escalante is so big it has to be visited more than once. It would be wonderful to see Southern Utah in other seasons too.
Right now I’m sitting alone in the forest. Curly is at my feet. It is chilly for the first time in weeks and I’m inside. I can see nothing but forest on all sides. The quiet has been rejuvenating. People often assume my job is quiet. Rarely. I’m the only librarian in a school of 2500 students and over 100 faculty. The worries and needs of 2500 teenagers will be more in perspective when I remember Watchman’s Tower, Bryce Canyon, the entire Colorado Plateau at my feet. Did you know you can have a plateau (Aquarius) on another plateau (Colorado)?
I haven’t really been lonely, bored occasionally.
When people ask me how my summer was, my answer will be “wonderful”. From Edward Abbey’s suggestion, in the true sense of the word, full of wonder.

August 11, 2006

August 11, 2006
Got groceries for my last week! Drove to Monument Valley, one of the most photographed spots in the world. It is beautiful, but not very accessible. I took a few pictures but so many famous and talented photographers have already done it. There is a 17 miles dirt road, after yesterday, I wasn’t in the mood. So I checked out the visitors center, inquired about jeep and horse rides and decided to do neither. I went to a nearby trail head parked and read the afternoon away. I had to finish Metro Girl by Janet Evanovich. It was fun. About 4, I went to the Navajo Market and bought a pair of earrings. Then was trying to put on some miles. I stopped in Kayenta and looked at a mini museum, with hogans and the storm came. I’m sitting in a parking lot waiting for it to pass and will probably drive a bit more before bed. I love to watch these storms. So many hotels have wifi now, just park close by and I have access. Tomorrow Vermillion Cliffs.

August 10, 2006 Stuck!

August 10, 2006 Stuck!
What a day! I visited Gooseneck State Park, a five minute picture stop, the longest engendered meander in the world? Then went to “Valley of the Gods”, billed as a miniature Monument Valley, 17 miles of dirt road with weird formations, okay for two wheel drive. Well, I only saw the first 6 or 7 miles. Then I got stuck. It had rained recently and my back bumper hit and my tires spun. There is only one road and I was blocking it. It is not much traveled. About half an hour later, a car of French tourists came by. Phillipe took my AAA information and headed back, no cell phones work in that area. In the next two hours, four other cars with French people came by , all had to turn around and go back, except one in a Hummer managed to go around me. A Californian from Philo, Calif came by to see if he could help. He had been told the road was blocked, nice of him but I needed more. About 5:30, Frank Montella, my new hero, arrived. He dug out the back hitch and had me back on the road in about half an hour. A nice “dirty old man” that’s what he called himself when he got off the ground from attaching my RV to the tow. He lifted me out and I followed him back out to the road. So I spent the afternoon in the desert, reading Janet Evanovich in the Valley of the Gods, with my RV stuck in the middle of the road. Not bad, I had food, water and a toilet. It was peaceful, around 90, Curly and I sat in the shade. Took the highway to an RV park just outside Monument Valley. I wanted hookups for a nice long shower and electricity for air conditioning,. Still no phone service but wifi here. There is a light rain this morning. Feels good!

August 8 Muley Point

August 8, 2006
Thanks to Lynne at the Blanding Visitors Center, I spent an awesome day at Muley Point. When I awoke in pinyon=juniper country, it was gray for the first time. Muley Point is about 15 miles from where I camped. It is an incredible lookout. In the distance is Monument Valley. Then it started to rain which was awesome from this bluff and in the warmth of my RV. Read, Edward Abbeys account of his trip to Glen Canyon before the dam, napped, had lunch. Walked in between cloud bursts. About 4 ,I descended by an incredible gravel road with vistas as beautiful as Bryce. Got gas and water and ate dinner in Mexican Hat and decided to head to higher ground to sleep. I took the turn to Bluff. Right now I am sitting behind the jDesert Rose Inn and Cabins in Bluff. I’m on a swing in a delightful garden and I’m stealing. They have unsecured wireless, which I hope to use to send this. Also they have outlets . I’ve plugged in my computer and phone to recharge. There is a breeze and the weather is perfect. I didn’t think they knew I was here. Ijust got busted. An employee, I guess,(whoops the owner) said he didn’t mind but he wished I had asked. Onward in a few minutes. Tomorrow Valley of the Gods, Gooseneck Park and heading southwest. Home.

August 7, 2006

August 7, 2006 Animal Day
So far today, I’ve seen a squirrel, chipmunk, lizard, bear cub (no picture) numerous deer, raven and little gray birds (lbg). I slept off a mountain road, county unmantained, last night. It was a twisty, rocky road through aspen, then fir and pine forest. About 8 pm I had had enough and pulled over. Slept fine! One car went by this morning. Arrived in Blanding, Utah about 10 am. Everyone there was so pleasant. Bought gas and Bob helped check my tire pressure. He referred me to the hotel across the street where I got and sent a fax. Had a Navajo taco for lunch. That is how they advertised it. It was pretty much a tostada on fry bread - delicious. At the Blanding Visitor Center, Lynne was very helpful and Linda a tourist who knew the area was too. All women over 50.
As of today, I’ve gone 2000 miles in three weeks and sometimes I think I’m trying to do too much. It is really too hot to do a lot of serious hiking. Phew! I’ve decided I’m not really a hiker but a walker.
I got a taste of what I’m missing at Mesa Verde today. A small Anazasi ruin off the road on the way to Natural Bridges. It is administer by Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Interesting the difference between language in BLM literature and NPS writing.
It is the first time in about 10 days that I have p aid for a campsite. The only difference in an established campsite is the picnic table and grill and feeling of safety. This site has no water and dump station. There are other people around which is not good or bad. I’m not afraid when I’m alone because - nobody knows I’m there!
I discovered a local writer, Edward Abbey, sometimes referred to as an ecoterriorst, I’m enjoying his book “Desert Solitaire”.

August 6, 2006

August 6, 2006
Last night I pulled over in the Monti-La Sal National Forest. Spent a peaceful night and drove to Canyonlands in the morning, with a brief stop at Newspaper Rock. This part of Canyonlands is called the Needles District. Each part and park is distinct and has its own beauty. When I come back I will hike through the Needles. Then back on the highway. I stopped at the Visitors Center in Monticello and asked about a back road to Blanding, instead of the highway. Tonight I am camping just off of what I am told is Utah state or county road 225, through part another part of the Monti la Sal Forest. The man at the Visitor Center said he would take his 25 ft RV down this road. Well, after 20 miles, and one and a half hours, I pulled over. I will do the last 15 miles in the morning. This is not just an unpaved road, lots of rocks! It rises to an elevation of over 10,000 feet. The forested hills are beautiful, moving from Aspen to Douglas fir. The hills are green and the wildflowers amazing. On to Natural Bridges National Monument tomorrow. Trying to figure out how to see Glen Canyon/Lake Powell, how much of it. I love the freedom of being able to stop wherever. Made an omelet for dinner and I’m snug. Running my generator to type this in the middle of the mountains. Hope I’m not disturbing anyone, or any deer.

August 4 and 5, 2006 Rafting and Rocks

August 4 5, 2006
The raftng trip was a bust. It rained ! It was mostly a float with a minor rapid or three. Nice people but the kids were splashing. If the temp had been 100, that would have been fine but by the last hour I was cold. Oh well. I can say I rafted the Colorado and it was brown!. I picked up Curly, and we left Moab. Turned down an unpaved road about 20 miles later and found Looking Glass Rock. I camped there and fell in love with the rock., too many pictures. In the morning, Curly and I hiked/walked around and on that rock. It took almost an hour. Then we headed farther down that road until it connected with Needles Overlook road. Needles Overlook was another spot with breathtaking views. Passed the turnoff for Canyon lands - Needles section because I need groceries. I’m now in Monticello, Utah and will head back there, 15 miles tonight or tomorrow. So much to see. I am 80 miles from Mesa Verde which was on my original list but I think I’m going to pass for this trip. It will be HOT, and Curly isn’t allowed in and there is more to see in Utah. Mesa Verde will be another trip along with Canyon de Chelly , without Curly.

August 3, 2006
Another beautiful and hot day. Drove to Canyonlands National Park. Another day of incredible views, much like Dead Horse State Park, perhaps deeper canyons and wider vistas. Then on to civilization. I am in Moab, a town of about 4000, but a tourist spot for a lot of jeep, kayak and rafting tours. The RV places in town are gravel rectangles with hookups. I decided to get a hotel. It is hot and I need to do laundry. I’m at a La Quinta which I have learned are very dog friendly. I have a big comfortable room with a king size bed. They have laundry facilities! I also gave Curly a bath. I love my cozy RV but it is nice to stretch out a bit and not worry about using up battery power or water. I have made arrangements to kennel Curly tomorrow and I am going on a half day rafting trip on the Colorado. Free breakfast in the morning, then on to a new adventure.

August 2, 2006
Got an early morning hike in Arches after the night in the parking lot quiet! It was cool enough to leave Curly in the RV. I could hear his barks echo off the canyon walls at 8 a.m. I drove the last six iles of the scenic drive and checked out the campground. I would love to stay there next time. Drove to Dead Horse Point State Park., well maintained and beautiful setting but no water. I rested, napped and read in my lounge chair until late afternoon. At this elevation, about 6000 there was a good breeze. Then drove the 2 miles to Dead Horse Point. The views are incredible. You stand on the edge of the Colorado Plateau. Took a short hike around the point, it is still hot. Had dinner and then hiked to Horn Point to catch the sunset. A couple of pictues of the views show the depth and range of the vistas. I wonder if “Island in the Sky” in Canyonlands tomorrow will rival it I bet it does, these National Parks are awesome, state parks too,

August 1, 2006

August 1, 2006
My days take on a rhythm,. Wake and drink coffee, read or write, get going around 10 or 11. Drive to my next scenic spot or national park during the heart of the day with comfortable air conditioning. Get a campsite and take an afternoon hike. Today is a bit different. I got to Arches National Park around 5 p.m. I was wondering how this could be another stupendous park, many don’t look like much until you explore the scenic drives and get inside. I started up the scenic road getting more impressed with each turn in the road. They actually have a layer of blue rock here. The whimsical shapes are arches are delightful. I was driving from one lookout point to another. The sunset was incredible between arches and behind rocks. I only got about half way and it is 9 p.m. I could drive back down in the dark and find a campsite since the one in the park is full. first time. Instead I am in the parking lot for the lookout point of Delicate Arch. I don’t know if I will be allowed to stay. Will a ranger roust me tonight or in the morning? Meanwhile, I’m cozy and there is a wonderful breeze.

July 31, 2006

July 31, 2006
I spent the morning in Capitol Reef, named for the White Domes that look like the capitol. There is a 10 mile scenic drive, the last three being dirt road. I had lunch in Captol Gorge, sounds impressive? I pulled over , amid incredible scenery for a PB and J sandwich. The geology of this place is fascinating. They call it a water pocket fold. This would be a great family vacation spot. Many hikes are 2-3 miles, without a dog. There are also historical buildings from the 1800’s, school house and orchards. The campground is in a peaceful orchard, deer romp beyond the fence
Then I drove to Goblin State Park, a surreal place with sandstone shapaes. The campground was too hot and barren, so I headed into Little Wild Horse Canyon, a cooler slot canyon., five miles down a dirt road. Spent the night in delicious isolation with a tremendous thunderstorm. A woke to a beautiful morning, with a short hike and then on to civilization?

July 29, 2006

I've named the RV Bessie, it seems to fit. Maybe Blue Bessie? Leon's daughter looked at it and said. "You must like blue". Bessie has been holding up well. I've figured out how to drive it. I've spent most of the day in first or second gear, jnot going more than 20 mph on a dirt/gravel road for the last thirty miles.

Can you believe my new camera, bought in Cedar City has died? I bought a throw away but no pictures today.

A thunderstorm passed over, gray to black on one side, blue with puff ball clouds on the other. Thunder crackles and then the rain, light and refreshing mostly. I sit in my RV high aatop the colorado Plateau. The forest road at 10 mph is bumpy and beautiful. This is part of the the Grand Staricase National Monument which eventually deepens to the Grand Canyon,. I see huge plateaus, deep canyons and gorges. Aspen becoming pine and spruce forests, wild flowers everywhere. Twenty more miles to the main road. Hell's Backbone Bridge is a one lane bridge with incredible drop offs on both sides. The vistas ahead show miles and miles.
On to Capital Reef National Park, I think.