We are now in Zion National Park, through Thanksgiving. Our camp hosting gig requires basically a 12-13 hour workday; working 3 on, 3 off, sharing with another host couple. So far having a great time and just hoping we don't mess up! It is fun meeting other campers and helping out where we can and who can complain about the scenery? Zion is a fabulous park. Will post when time allows - unfortunately there is no wifi in the park so have to head into town to get online.
We're both adjusting to being "at work" once again...alarm clocks and uniforms and required duties once again. :-)
the magnificent views at Cedar Breaks...
We only had a few nights at Cedar Breaks to explore before we were due in Zion, so we tried to make the best of our time. The hiking trails in the park are very short but excellent.
More fantastic scenery from the beautiful Cedar Breaks area... Zion is only a couple hours away so we may get back up here to visit again.
The infamous "road to Cedar Breaks"
Before we drove up to Cedar Breaks, we asked the Panguitch camp host for driving directions - we explained we didn't want to be on the "bad road". We told them this road lived in stories told and retold at family gatherings....and the hosts said "us too!" - that she said 50 Hail Mary's - and isn't even Catholic! hahaha....apparently we're not the only family who's taken the "wrong route" up to Cedar Breaks and likes to retell the story of their adventure...
Anyway, this trip we took the easy road up to the park with the RV, then checked out the "scary road" - "NO ONE takes THAT road" - with the truck only. Here are some pictures around Brian Head - probably this road was not paved when we were on it 30+ years ago - but can still hear Uncle Ray saying.....gonna have to pass you, Dave.....Does it look at all familiar, Ray? Dad?
Anyway, this trip we took the easy road up to the park with the RV, then checked out the "scary road" - "NO ONE takes THAT road" - with the truck only. Here are some pictures around Brian Head - probably this road was not paved when we were on it 30+ years ago - but can still hear Uncle Ray saying.....gonna have to pass you, Dave.....Does it look at all familiar, Ray? Dad?
Aug 20 - 26: Panguitch Lake and Cedar Breaks
We spent a few days at Panguitch Lake North in the lovely woods - there was a lot of cut wood available so Gary had fun making fire (I think this one was over knee height!) but the campground didn't actually have lake access, just a peak view; we just took a few days to relax here. The camp hosts were trying to recruit us and seemed very happy with the company they work for - so we will be checking that out! 
Next we headed for Cedar Breaks National Momument - very special place - enjoyed it immensely though they have a severe problem with the spruce bark beetle which has killed a large percentage of the surrounding forest since 1992.
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| Gary enjoyed the free firewood provided at the campground! |
Aug 18 - 19: leaving Colorado, making our way across Utah
From Matterhorn, we headed south to Cortez and then across into Utah, very sad to say goodbye to Colorado!
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| Wow! You can never tell the size of those when they're actually on the windmill! Had a trio of these trucks on the road with us into Utah. |
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| Fields of sunflowers |
Passed through Moab once again, stopped at the Moab Brewery but alas the triple-nickle wings deal wasn't going! Headed west across Utah on the 70 which was more scenic than we expected! But also a lot more climbing than we expected. Nearly ran out of fuel on the 110-mile stretch between Green River and Salina. But made it to our very FIRST Walmart stay in Richfield, UT. We checked with the store and parked with our door towards the store entrance, as recommended by all those who do this regularly. Unfortunately, no one warned us to guard our truck like a hawk. For our first time on the road, we were victims of a crime! Someone stole our ancient, beat-up old barbeque (practically a family heirloom!) - it was pretty clear they stole it just for the value of the aluminum, and it was also clear they had intented to steal more but were interrupted. I think we got lucky, really. Anyway, Walmart won't do anything without a police report, not even review their film since we were parked right under a camera, so....not going to bother the police who have better things to do, surely. Gary is in mourning for the barbeque though...irreplaceable.
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| Big Rock Candy Mountain - just a blur - can't stop! |
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| finally, back in the woods at Panguitch Lake North, on our way to Cedar Breaks |
Aug 18: our last fishing before leaving Colorado
Before heading south to Cortez, our last morning at Matterhorn we headed up to Alta Lakes (between Matterhorn and Telluride) which had been recommended for great fishing. Windy gravel road on the way up, but worth it! Gary caught his limit in less than a couple hours and I had a nice hike around the lake...
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| not terribly crazy about narrow, blind corners |
Matterhorn Campground and a visit to Telluride - FREE Gondola - woo hoo!
Spent a day riding the FREE gondola in Telluride, riding bike paths in the ski area, and had a very expensive lunch in Telluride (pizza, chicken wings - $35 - and we felt terribly cheated). Telluride is proud that they have no chains - and we love supporting the mom and pop places - but Brown Dog Pizza was a huge disappointment - won't go back there again! (Note: Gary paid extra for "super" toppings - extra pepperoni, etc - and the pizza was thinner and less toppings than a Totino's 99 cent pizza; the wings were really overcooked / dry) - I see mostly positive reviews on the place, but our experience was bad.
Loved Telluride though! Would have liked riding more of the trails and bike paths - plus many hiking trails we didn't have time to do - another reason to get back to this area.
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