2015 Highlights

By far the Biggest 2015 highlight was meeting Bill and spending the second half of the year hiking, camping, and exploring together.  Sure was fun to look back at the year and be surprised how much I’ve done and seen.  I wanted to share some of my favorite memories and found it difficult to choose from the 53,529 photos I took this year.  Don’t worry, I got it down to 25.  So without further adieu, my year in review…

Borrego Palm Canyon Anza-Borrego Desert State Park California

Ricardo Breceda art Galleta Meadows Borrego Springs California

January 1st found me in Anza-Borrego State Park, California where I met some bloggers I’ve been following forever and explored some new territory.  The town of Borrego Springs offered not only good food and people but an amazing collection of metal art.  More bloggers were met at the first annual Bloggerfest in Quartzsite, Arizona.  Hope to return for that again this year.

Rockhouse Trail Anza-Borrego State Park California

Gulls, brown pelicans & egret Corvina Beach Salton Sea Scenic Recreation Area California

After returning to Yarnell for a while in February my itchy feet took me back to Anza-Borrego for the wildflowers and hiking.  Then I spent a few days along the Salton Sea watching the birds.

White Tank Campground Joshua Tree National Park California

Colorado River & Desert View Watchtower South Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Next stop, in March, a bit of cold camping and hiking in Joshua Tree National Park.  And towards the end of the month I met a friend from Illinois in Flagstaff and we went to the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park where I celebrated my birthday.

Gambel Quail Yarnell Arizona

From RV window North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

April I dropped off my truckcamper at a friends in Kanab, Utah.  Then back to Yarnell to tow the 5th-wheel up to the North Rim.  It’s not easy being a single owner of two RVs but it sure is worth it.

Vermilion Cliffs Marble Canyon Arizona

White Pocket Vermilion Cliffs National Monument Arizona

The North Rim at Grand Canyon opened May 15th and welcomed visitors with a little snow.  I went camping at Snake Gulch where I met Bill and Sasha, a most fortuitous meeting.  And Bill took me to White Pocket, an amazing area in the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument.

View from Grand Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Crazy cloud inversions put on quite the show at the canyon during June (also July, August, September and October) and I saw my first glory and puzzled over this halo effect.  Hiked some of the Rainbow Rim Trail, saw a dinosaur track along the Bunting Trail and chased chipmunks in the RV.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Utah

Crazy Jug Point Kaibab National Forest Arizona

July was the busiest month of my year with lots of driving between the North Rim and Kanab where Bill lives.  We explored a corner of Grand Staircase-Escalante several times, camped at Crazy Jug Point on Kaibab National Forest and watched storms across Grand Canyon, plus hiked locally and discovered some ancient rock art, and some not so ancient.

North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Below The Wave Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness Arizona

We continued more explorations in August with scenic drives through Zion and the Smithsonian Butte Scenic Byway.  Wandered around in some nameless side canyons and hiked to “The Feature”, as Bill calls it, known as The Wave in the Paria Canyon-Vermilion Cliffs Wilderness.

Big Spring Canyon Overlook The Needles District Canyonlands National Park Utah

Harts Draw Utah

Arches National Park Utah

The Quaking Aspen on the Kaibab began their golden show in September which required several drives into the forest.  We returned to White Pocket and other areas in the Staircase.  And then we took a 5-day National Parks’ vacation to Hovenweep for the lunar eclipse, Natural Bridges, over Elk Ridge to Canyonlands and Arches.  Nowhere near enough time to do these parks justice.

Green River desert Utah

Factory Butte Utah

Wound up the vacation in early October with a drive through Capitol Reef.  My 8th season at the North Rim ended the 17th and I hauled the 5th wheel off the plateau then parked it while waiting for repairs.  This turned into a month long affair while I lived with Bill at his house.  Guess it worked because we didn’t kill each other.

K Hill Kanab Utah

Oza Butte North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Finally in November I found a place to park the 5th-wheel and have been dealing with a leaky hot water tank every since.  Bill and I took a last drive to the North Rim before it closed the end of the month and saw a little snow.  We spent Thanksgiving with his sister, son and DIL.

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Utah

The competition

It’s been a cold and snowy December here in Kanab, Utah so hiking has been limited.  We returned to Bill’s son’s house for a marvelous family Christmas.  And on this last day of the year I finally have running hot water!

Thank you for following along on this year’s journey.  Without you readers there’d be no reason to blog.  I hope to see your comments next year as the journey through life continues.

Happy New Year!!!!