My summer season at Grand Canyon is over and I’ve been thinking about fall and winter travel plans. I’ve tried for a fall Pacific Northwest trip for several years. But with all the fires there this last summer I’m going to pass on that journey once again.
Capitol Reef National Monument
Instead, I see southeastern Utah in my future with a long list of national parks, state parks, and whatever else catches my fancy. Keeping an eye on the weather because as you know I’m not keen on cold and snow. When that happens it’s time to head further south.
Natural Bridges National Monument
I’ve been getting a lot of ideas from some of you RV bloggers yet you know I’m always looking for suggestions, even though I love to research and plan.
I’m putting the big 5th-wheel into storage in Kanab for the winter, someone else is hauling it tomorrow from the North Rim. Thank goodness I don’t have to take the truck camper off and then put it back on again. That’s a real pain. So I’m moving into the truck camper for about six months. Of course there is less space and I’m struggling with what can go and what is left behind.
Zion National Park
After a stop in Kanab and stocking up on groceries I plan to visit a friend in Zion National Park. Lisa is an artist in residence there and was at Grand Canyon a few years ago when we still had the program. I’m hoping the Zion won’t be such a zoo in the fall as it’s been reported to be this past summer.
Canyonlands National Park
Then I plan to cruise to Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and whatever else catches my fancy along the way.
Arches National Park
If the weather gets cold or these places are too crowded I’ll head further south.
Heck it was crowded enough at the North Rim this season. Visitation just never slowed down. And as much as I love my job, I am happy to be done working for the season and getting on the road again.
Glad that you are not moving the 5th wheel this year yourself, as you say it is a hassle taking the truck camper off and putting it back again. Looking forward to following your travels and hope that you will have internet fairly often to keep in touch. Take care and travel safely. Diane and Nigel
Easier for me not to move the 5er but lots of work moving stuff into the camper. Will be over soon. Usually find signal on the road so will stay in touch.
What an exciting life you have, Gaelyn. Take care as you travel to your winter destination. Jo
Thanks Jo.
Looking forward to hearing more about your wonderful travels. Take care.
I will post when able you can be sure.
Sounds like a fun plan. Hope the weather holds for awhile. Good luck in Zion. Friends were just there with a billion unwanted friends! Happy Travels!
I’ll probably camp outside Zion on BLM with less friends.
Safe travels on your next adventure.
Thanks Doug.
I don’t know if you follow https://boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com/ but they are probably at Zion now. They stay there about a month every fall during their southern migration. They know where there are a lot of boondocking spots just outside the Park. They are also a wealth of information for hikes in the area.
Lots of purdy pictures at his site as well but I think he is a better writer than photographer.
Thanks Ed. Just heard from Jim and Gayle that Mark and Bobbie are due to meet them just outside Zion. Probably where I’ll go as well.
Wherever the winter brings, thanks for bring us along. Looking forward to your adventures.
Thanks Jeff. There’s always adventure on the road.
Springdale was pretty crazy, but I stayed at the lodge. Before 10 am and after 4 it was pretty quiet. Way more deer than people after 7pm. Bryce is relatively quiet, but cold in the morning.
On my way to Capitol Reef via Hwy 12 this afternoon.
Think I’ll camp outside Zion on the BLM. If it’s too cold you know I won’t stay long. However, want to say hi to a Ranger working at Bryce then hopefully on to Capitol Reef. Seems like I’ll be following you so keep me abreast.
Have fun, Gaelyn, and be safe. Continue to take those incredible photos and with the beautiful descriptions of what we are seeing.
Thanks, I’ll try.
I’m hoping to catch up with you in December give or take. Have fun, friend.
We’ll keep working on a meet up. I may be around Yarnell in November. ?
It sounds like you’ll be making the trip that we had to cancel. I look forward to seeing it through your camera lens. Have a great trip!
Will see if the weather holds for this journey.
Your plans sound awesome! I don’t know where all the people are coming from. Permanent residents in Breck are grousing. There’s no off season anymore!
I miss off season. Love seeing the wildlife in your yard, not eating the trees. Your grandkids are growing in leaps and bounds.
There might still be apples at Capitol Reef :-)) Looks like the warm weather may hold for a while and hopefully you’ll get to see lots of red rock! Safe journey.
Thanks Jodee. I’m hoping the warm weather holds for a while.
Sounds like a wonderful plan. Utah is gorgeous for sure. Wish rhe National Parks hadn’t done SO much advertising. I couldn’t understand it since their funds are always getting cut. Too many people all the time now. Sad that they cut the Artist in Residence program. I always thought that was so great. Why did they? Can’t cost that much. If so, use the ad money. Hope you catch that gang at Zion. What fun!
Last year’s centennial advertising put national parks on everyone’s radar. And now too many people FoundTheirPark. Several years ago Grand Canyon lost their permanent employee who oversaw the Artist in Residence program and the position has not been filled since. So, we sadly lost the program.
Happy happy happy time off!! Cruising the other national parks in the SW sounds wonderful… I’m guessing you’ll have friends everywhere you go, so it will be your choice whether to be with people or have some alone time. I need a mixture of both and bet you do too. Enjoy every minute of it and stay away from that dreaded ‘s’ word (it’s getting a little chilly for me here in Oregon already… rain though so at least it doesn’t have to be shoveled)….
Might you go to Quartzsite if it gets too cold where you are? Or Joshua Tree? Or maybe the Salton Sea area in CA?
I am having second thoughts about the UT national parks. After the summer season I need down time. So not sure what or where yet. I usually end up in Quartzsite towards the end of January to meet up with friends. Do want to return to Organ Pipe Cactus. Who knows.
I hope the weather stays warm for you. I used to live in Price, UT, not too far from SE Utah and it used to get very cold there.
It can get down right winter in most of Utah.