A two day weekend meant time for a drive to Kanab for the truck camper so I can be ready for some comfortable camping. Then Saturday morning looked like this. They told me this was a summer job.
I didn’t get an early start Saturday morning, 10:30am which is already 11:30 in Utah. But I awoke to at least four inches of snow at 26F. Had to unbury and remove a few things from the back of the truck. Plus pack a few items to be comfortable over night. I mean why not stay, it’s warmer in Kanab and no snow.
The snow got deeper approaching Jacob Lake where it looked like 6-8 inches. Heavy, wet snow. And it snowed the entire 45 miles.
But I didn’t think it warranted a snowplow.
I got lucky at both locked gates with someone else already stopped and was waved through so I didn’t have to get out of the warm cab into the blowing snow.
Yet I did make a quick cookie stop at Jacob Lake Inn, and lemon zucchini is my new favorite. I figured the snow would be less as the road slowly drops off the Kaibab Plateau. Not so. In fact the clouds got lower to an almost white out for a while.
And even within sight of the valley below there was still snow.
In fact there were patches all the way to the edge of the valley floor.
When I got to Kanab I picked up some silicone to reseal a few edges on the camper. And wouldn’t you know it I forgot to bring the gun thingy so ended up buying another one.
It was chilly in Kanab but no snow. Enjoyed an evening with friends and slept in the camper, not on the truck. Sunday was predicted to be warmer so I put off loading until then.
Thank goodness I had help. First, because I’m so short it’s difficult to reach the crank to lift and lower the corner jacks on the camper. Guess I need a stool. Instead I had a tall helper. But backing under the camper so it’s perfectly centered is really hard to do alone. So having two helpers made that a whole lot easier and saved me from jumping in and out of the truck a hundred times. Still took about two hours.
Then only miles down the road I remembered the license plate hadn’t been taken off the truck and put on the camper so I pulled over to see how difficult that would be now. As I walked around the back I saw the plate on the camper and realized it had been there all the time and I’d been driving for 1 1/2 months with no plate. LOL. Was I lucky.
The rest of the drive back was gorgeous with temps in the 60s until I began climbing the plateau. What a difference a day makes. The clouds put on a grand show all the way home.
The air was so clear I had to stop at Le Fevre overlook to gaze back on the colorful bands of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument with Bryce National Park beyond. Cloud shadows speckled the landscape.
A couple of Navajos had tables covered in jewelry so of course I had to look. And although it’s not sterling silver, which is my preference, I couldn’t ignore this Horned Lizard pin, the Grandfather who brings good luck.
Only patches of snow remained as I continued up the plateau and another far view stop. The sculptural remains from the 2006 Warm fire opens a distant view of the Vermilion Cliffs to the left, Marble Plateau and canyon to the right then Echo Cliffs rising up to the foot of Navajo Mountain about 60 miles away.
Gone where the snow white meadows of the day before now turned into a soggy brilliant green. The drive through Kaibab National Forest to the North Rim changes with every mile, day and season. A friend aptly calls this his “ribbon highway”. It’s beauty sure makes driving 45 of 85 or more miles to town more enjoyable.
And now I’m ready for some comfortable camping weekends. But not in the snow.
Wow! What a busy weekend!
It sure was and now back to work.
Nice to see your photos before spending the day in the kitchen with food food food – – for others, not me. I’m never tempted to “take a bite”, that is strange, but I’m sure glad. Stay warm, and have a GREAT day – Did you see that Lacy got ENGAGED!!!!!! – Julia ad Dean are off to Seaslde for their dry FIRST real vacation – only 4 days, and THEN – Lacy and Logan getting “hitched”.
Makes me warm all over. Love ya
Berta
So you like the snowy look huh? Hope you’re not getting that there. I saw the engagement announcement, so cool. And awesome that Julie and Dean are getting a vacation.
Hi dear,
Your post brings back fond memories of the 5 seasons we opened at the NR.
You said you needed a stool but what you need is a small sturdy ladder. No falls deary, no falls, OK?
Have a great season. Hi to our old friends who are still up there.
Shirley
Yup, spring at the North Rim is very changeable. Maybe a ladder would be better. Or pills to make me taller. 😉 Will say HI to all.
Wow, what a trip to Utah! We know that driving a highway from opposite directions gives different views, but this is a stunner!~
It was like driving in two different seasons completely.
I know how much you love cold and snow, Gaelyn! Pretty pictures of white though… Of course, snow followed us to Denver but melted pretty fast. We rode bikes this AM – chilly but fun along the S Platte. Take Care!
As long as I can stay warm I love to look at the winter white. Glad you had melt so you could ride.
Oh lovely snow — I know you love it as much as I do (NOT)…. hope it warms up for you asap. That was a busy weekend, glad it all ended well and you have your camper home and ready to roll when needed.
As much as we need the moisture here, I’m glad the snow was gone on the way back. If I ever find out what my days off are, I’ll be camping somewhere.
That white out looks pretty scary. Glad you were able to get down and back. Boy what a difference a day makes. If you find those taller pills, will you let me know. Somehow you don’t look short. You have a big presence. How tall are you? Taller than 5’1″???
Feels good to be ready to go, when I find out my days off. I’m 5′ 5″ and shrinking. Plus with bum shoulders I don’t reach up very high either.
Beautiful pics of the snow, glad it was a safe trip. Loading those truck campers is a lot of work – can’t imagine trying it alone! At 5’3″ I appreciate the help of those taller folks as well 🙂 Hope you have lots of comfy camping nights this summer. Love the grandfather pin 🙂
Thank you Jodee. Although I don’t like cold the snow was gorgeous and we need the moisture. May get some more this weekend. I tried putting a different slide-in camper on a truck alone, never again.
I so admire your can-do spirit. Just load the camper on the pick-up or move your wheelestate home, no big deal! As always your photos are lovely, you have such an incredible place to call home!
It’s not always as easy as it sounds. Thank goodness I can get help. I do live in a spectacular place.
What an adventure. I’m not sure it is possible to load a camper all by one’s self. I guess if you had to you could but it would be difficult.
I did it once by myself with a shorter camper and was in and out of the truck 100s of times. Not fun.
I lived in Kanab for the better part of twenty years, spent lots of time up on the Kaibab. Your blog makes me very, very homesick, but in a good way. I live in Phoenix now, which is a pit, but also has its moments.
Glad I can help bring back those good memories.
Oh how I wish I could show my family snow like that. Perhaps we’ll get some in the Karoo again this year
You can have it.