With less than a month left of my winter retirement Bill and I are trying to plan one more road trip. And making a plan, which as many know, is part of the fun of traveling. Yet there can be glitches.
At first we talked about Chaco Culture National Historic Park with many ancestral Pueblo ruins to explore. That would have included El Mapais National Monument’s diverse geology and El Morrow National Monument where a reliable water hole brought people from the past. But it’s kind of far away and kind of cold at night (low 30s). We also talked about southeastern Arizona for more warmth, but again kind of far. My budget always hits a low the last month before returning to work and paycheck. So that’s a big part of the how far. Yet it keeps these places on the list.
Instead we’re now talking about Snow Canyon State Park in St George, Utah where we typically go shopping. Snow Canyon features red Navajo sandstone, capped by an overlay of black lava rock. Should be some great photo ops that I sure wish I had my big Nikon back for. Plus the temps are predicted for high 75F and low 53F. I like that. So it would be a several day trip, mid week to avoid crowds. Except we can’t get reservations at their campground. So once again the plan changes to spending an afternoon in the park, camping in the Virgin River Gorge Tuesday night, and shopping on the way home.
Always best to just go with the flow when a plan doesn’t quite come together.
And of course we’ll try to fit in some day trips and local hiking before I head back to the North Rim Grand Canyon for the summer. It’s hard to believe it’s almost time to return to work. Where did the winter go?
It is amazing how quickly the winter passes us by when we are enjoying the travelling.
Wherever you go will be fun.
And warm.
I agree, winter always seems a long time to me because of the cold, but now suddenly it is April and where did the last 5 month go to ?? Enjoy your last few days before returning to the North Rim but I am sure you are also looking forward to going back. I know I am looking forward to June 🙂 Keep well Diane
Time certainly flies by. I am looking forward to returning to the North Rim, and June too.
Snow Canyon is magnificent, we’ve been several times. They have 2 campsites that are first come first serve.
Thanks Lynda. Will ask when we pull in tomorrow.
Sounds like a nice trip. Have you ever been to Red Cliffs, BLM campground north of St. George? It’s really beautiful there, too.
http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/st__george/recreation/camping/red_cliffs_campground.html
Have fun wherever!
Haven’t been to Red Cliffs. Bill mentioned it. Not sure if the truck camper is over 12 feet to get through the tunnel. Thanks for the input.
I love the planning too. It’s so fun to have all the options! I’m looking forward to seeing pics from your decided destination – it sure “sounds” pretty 🙂 We have rain and thunder storms forecast later in the week here in Williams so we’re getting up to South Rim tomorrow. So excited!
Predicted rain in Kanab Friday so we may miss that. You’re going to love Grand Canyon.
Hi, Gaelyn,
Before Nancy and I started volunteering up on the North Rim, we camped in Snow Canyon during the spring for a number of consecutive years. It is truly a gem in the Utah State Park system. It easily could be part of the National Park system if it was not already under state protection. Looking forward to seeing your photos of the place. Hope you have a great experience at Snow Canyon before heading up to the Rim.
After seeing many photos of Snow Canyon I’m excited about seeing it for myself.
You know what they say, “Life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.”
I’m looking forward to your canyon photos once you return to work.
Yup, and I totally agree with that philosophy. Canyon photos soon.
You have certainly had a busy time off this Winter. I love Chaco Canyon but it would be kind of chilly and it is at the end of a very long gravel road. Have a good time on your last trip.
Yes I have and why it’s gone by too quickly. Saving Chaco for another time.
Have a great trip, Gaelyn! I hope it stays warm enough for you. We had a wonderful spring respite from snow near Glenwood Springs, but it is a blizzard right now in Breck. I felt like turning around on Vail Pass and going back! Enjoy playing in the sunshine!
Thanks, we had a great trip and it was perfectly warm enough. Glad you found a little spring before returning to your winter wonderland. Happy skiing.
AZ is probably as bad as Florida for getting a CG spot during the season — It’s necessary to be flexible. You two will have a great time no matter where you go. I never thought about Chaco Canyon being so cold (we were there in mid-summer, I suppose, or maybe early Fall. Duh. I know about the desert, but I just forgot.
All places are bad getting a cg site and it’s the season. But we got lucky for two nights in a walk site. Chaco and surrounds are at higher elevation thus cooler nights.
I’m with you on choosing by temperatures. Sounds like all of those spots would be wonderful and I know I’ll enjoy your pictures. When does your camera return. I’m shocked you could actually get it cleaned. I thought they didn’t fix anything anymore. The forced replacement policy I call it. Dreamed up by the Marketing Departments no doubt.
Had a wonderful warm time. Should be getting my camera back next week. I found out I can even have the shutter replaced on the DSLR if/when it needs it. No way I could afford to replace that camera right now.