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Category: My gypsy life

19 February 2019

My gypsy life started in the 1970s

USA map route 1975 road trip1975 road trip

I already have a series of my gypsy life since becoming a seasonal Park Ranger in 1992, so why not back up a little further to when this gypsy lifestyle began.

I appreciate all the suggestions to keep my 5th-wheel, and truth be told I lean that way also.  However, I’ve lived in so many different vehicles and they have all been perfect, for a while.  Yet as life changes so do our homes.

Truck going under camper Kanab UtahI don’t know what direction this gypsy life is going next.  If/when I accept a summer national park job it would be great to live in the big 5th-wheel, if there is that option in the park.  But then I have to take the camper off the truck to tow the 5er.  It’s a pain in the butt to get the camper off and on and I can’t do it alone.  Plus then store it somewhere until I can retrieve it.  That barely works from the North Rim being only 360 miles away.  It wouldn’t be convenient any further.  I’d rather not be without the comforts of camping/glamping in the truck camper.  So I could live in it full-time with a couple fixes and certain inconveniences like moving it every time I drive somewhere.

Camping at Braidwood with Denverdog Illinois 06-1975 This got me to thinking of all the rigs I’ve lived in over the years of my gypsy life, which is what this post was going to be about.  But then I started writing, and this story of the first home on wheels poured out.  And there weren’t really any conveniences but was one step up from a tent.

1974-Chevrolet-VegaMy first home on wheels

I started my gypsy life on the road in 1975 when I spent three months in a 1974 Chevy Vega hatchback.  Because my Dad was in the car business I scored a deal when the car, with only 1000 miles on it, was traded in for a Cadillac.  He co-signed a loan with me and at 21 years old I felt ready to travel and wanted to see the west and visit national parks.  I was a little worried about traveling alone so I got a large puppy and slept in the back with Denver dog on my feet.  Used magnets to drape mosquito netting off the lifted hatch but the dog could get out so that didn’t work.  An ice chest and one burner camp stove served well.   My Golden Eagle pass worked for park entries and campground discounts.  People I met were friendly yet concerned about my traveling alone.  I learned it was OK, listened to my intuition, and discovered I’m good company.  I mastered the fear of being alone.

Chicago to Colorado route 1975 road tripThe journey began driving freeways nonstop to Colorado because I knew there wasn’t a lot to see along the way.  Fell in love with the majestic Rocky Mountains while visiting my first national park.  I wanted to live there some day.  Hasn’t happened, yet.

Colorado & Utah map route 1975 road tripWith my trusty Rand McNally atlas I followed the ‘blue highways’ as two-lane roads were called back then.  Now interstates are blue on the map, I’ve always tried to avoid those.  I visited Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Mesa Verde National Parks.

Garry Brother 4cornersImage borrowed from Garry, friend and blogger, of his brother in about the right era

One late and dusky afternoon I stopped at Four Corners, a desolate and remote location where four states’ boundaries meet.  The only thing there was a concrete slab with lines and state names.  Much different from what I understand it is today.  The only sign of life, a mangy dog.

Lake Powell UtahTaken in 2011 from a boat

I drove into Utah and according to my map would follow a paved road to Lake Powell.  In reality, I drove two hours on what looked like the bulldozer had just pushed the red rock out of the way.  By the time I saw water my burgundy Vega was orange and so were the dog and I.  Hot and dusty, I parked on slickrock and we both fell into the refreshing water.  To this day, I have no idea what road that was or where we were exactly.

last light temples San Fransisco peaks sunset North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaTaken in 2017

Then I went to Canyonlands, Arches, and Capitol Reef national parks.  I vaguely remember these places as it was hot summer and I couldn’t hike because the dog would have baked in the car.  After a quick drive into Bryce Canyon National Park I ended up at the North Rim of Grand Canyon.  I remember standing on the Lodge verandah and thinking, oh boy another big hole in the ground.  I was on canyon overload.  Little did I know I would live and work there some day.  I left for Las Vegas via Zion National Park.  A couple days staying with friends in the summer heat of Vegas was plenty and I continued toward the California coast where I had relatives living east of Los Angeles.

west coast map route 1975 road tripAfter hanging out with cousins and meeting up with a high school friend living at a commune in Ojai I headed north up Hwy 101.  Because I had taken a leave of absence from my Illinois job at Vaughn/Jacklin Corp they agreed to pay me for a few days visiting other seed companies.  I loved eating out of the vegetable trial fields with a salt shaker in my pocket.  They would tour me around and buy lunch.  One time I had too much wine with lunch and later pulled onto the shoulder to sleep it off.  A cop knocked on my window waking me when the dog barked.  He made me walk toe heel and touch my nose.  I passed the tests and he let me go.

Washington map route 1975 road tripContinued driving the Highway 1 coastal route north camping along the way.  Then couldn’t afford the bridge toll at Astoria so headed east to the free I5 bridge crossing the Columbia River.  A quick stop in Olympia where I toured the brewery.  I was more of a beer drinker then and there weren’t any micro-brews around.  Next headed east over the Cascades to Wenatchee where a cousin went to school.  Got sick at her place and was running low on funds so my boyfriend wired me money and told me to get home without lollygagging along the way.  And that’s what I did, making it home in a matter of days.

1968 chevy van camper-conversionThis first solo adventure started my gypsy life and prompted me to save money, buy a van, and move to California, the land of golden opportunities, or so I thought.  This will  forever be one of my best road trips and sadly I have no photos from this journey.

 

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life, My gypsy life, RV lifestyle life on the road, road trip 42 Comments
13 April 2009

The Gypsy life of a seasonal Park Ranger at Grand Canyon National Park Summer 2008

Ranger Gaelyn North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaRanger Gaelyn
After hiking rim-to-rim across the Grand Canyon during training as a Park Ranger I could intelligently talk to visitors about the challenge involved. Down is optional, up is mandatory.
California Condor size comparison chart Vermilion Cliffs ArizonaCondor size comparisons posted below Vermillion Cliffs release site
Yet I also had a lot to learn about Grand Canyon National Park in preparation for presenting nine different Ranger programs. I spent the first month working every waking hour; reading, writing, researching, prepping, practicing and learning PowerPoint. All very interesting and well worth it.
Map of Grand Canyon and area ArizonaHowever, I didn’t limit myself to just the Grand Canyon, as there are so many amazing places in the area.
Fire tower Jacob Lake Kaibab National Forest ArizonaJacob Lake fire lookout tower
Jacob Lake Inn lies at the junction of highways 89A, and 67 into the North Rim. There is fuel, cabins, a restaurant with delectable home baked cookies, and a gift shop overflowing with a wide variety of excellently selected Native American arts and crafts.  But don’t expect to swim in Jacob Lake.
Vermlion Cliffs ArizonaVermillion Cliffs
Heading east you drop off the plateau onto House Rock Valley and follow the Vermillion Cliffs to Marble Canyon and Navajo Bridge, one of two Grand Canyon crossings located 277 miles apart.
Navajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon ArizonaNavajo Bridge over the Colorado River at Marble Canyon
There are actually two bridges and a small parking lot on one side with a visitor center. This is a worthwhile stop as you can walk onto the original bridge built in 1929 where you might see a California Condor.
Historic building Lee's Ferry Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ArizonaLee’s Ferry Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
A short side trip upriver takes you to Lee’s Ferry, the original way to cross the Colorado River. This is also where the river rafting trips start. I haven’t gotten to do this, yet. Maybe I need to befriend some river guides. Anybody out there?
Windsor Castle Pipe Springs National Monument ArizonaWindsor Castle at Pipe Spring NM
Heading north from Jacob Lake on Hwy 89A leads to Utah. But a side trip west on Hwy 389 from Fredonia, Arizona leads through the Kaibab (Ki’ bab) Indian Reservation and past Pipe Spring National Monument. Park Rangers lead tours of the main house that Mormons built over the spring in the 1870s. You can also wander around the visitor center, cowboy’s quarters, vegetable garden and often see a blacksmith demonstration.
The Cathedral Zion National Park UtahThe Cathedral at Zion NP
If you continue north on Hwy 89A into Utah past Kanab, Hwy 9 west drives right through Zion National Park. Be prepared to pay the entrance fee or show a Park’s Pass.
The Great White Throne Zion Nationa Park UtaThe Great White Throne at Zion NP
A park shuttle takes you to several amazing places in Zion Canyon where you can hike or just enjoy the views.
Mules on the North Kaibab trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMules on the North Kaibab trail
One of the last tourist activities I did at Grand Canyon was take a mule ride to Roaring Springs, five miles down from the North Rim. Mules are huge! A cross between a female horse and a male donkey, they are often bigger than a horse. One of the main advantages for mules on this narrow precipitous trail is they can see all four feet at the same time whereas horses only see the two front feet.
Fall aspen Harvey Meadow North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaGolden fall Aspen Harvey Meadows Grand Canyon
As summer came to an end at the canyon so did my seasonal Park Ranger job. And so it was time to move back to Yarnell.

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Arizona, Grand Canyon NP, My gypsy life Grand Canyon National Park, Jacob Lake, Lee's Ferry, Navajo Bridge, Park Ranger, Pipe Springs National Monument, travel, Zion National Park 21 Comments
23 March 2009

The Gypsy life of a seasonal Park Ranger Spring 2008

During the winter of 20007/08 while living in Yarnell, Arizona I applied for seasonal Park Ranger jobs at several western National Parks even though I could return to Oregon Caves National Monument.
Pin Cushion Cactus flowers Arizona
Pin Cushion Cactus blooms
As spring approached I was offered a seasonal Park Ranger position at the North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. A dream comes true. I had actually turned down the South Rim two previous summers because they couldn’t accommodate my RV home.
Snow along SR67 Kaibab NF AZ
Highway 67 to the North Rim
So towards the end of April I hitched up to the 5th-wheel and headed north, a 360 mile drive up to 8,200 feet.
Sign entering Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
The North Rim of Grand Canyon was still closed and there was a locked gate into the Kaibab National Forest just south of Jacob Lake. Fortunately a National Park Service (NPS) employee was coming out and then locked the gate behind me.
Snow around entrance station North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Closed entrance station
It was still a 30 mile drive just to the park boundary.
RV home North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Home for the summer
Then another 13 miles to the end of the road. I set up the 5th-wheel in a park-like Ponderosa Pine forest amongst other RV employees.
1949 Sing-Away at Grand Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park archives
1949 North Rim “Sing-away” by Lodge staff – NPS archive
I easily walked less than a mile to the developed area at the end of the road where the Grand Canyon Lodge sits perched on the edge of the canyon.
Grand Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Canyon side of Grand Canyon Lodge
This version of the lodge was completed in 1938 replacing the original 1928 version after a kitchen fire. There are also about 100 cabins available for visitors to rent. Call a year in advance for reservations.
Bright Angel Point trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
Bright Angel Point trail
From the lodge I walked ¼ mile out to Bright Angel Point.
Looking south from North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
My first view of the canyon from the North Rim in almost 35 years
It’s only 10 miles as the raven flies to Grand Canyon Village on the South Rim; by road the same destination is more than 200 miles away. By trail the distance is 23 miles.
Looking south from North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona
And so I began a dream come true at Grand Canyon.

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Hi, I’m Gaelyn, the Geogypsy

I retired after 29 summer seasons as a Park Ranger, traveling solo for 40+ years. My passions include travel, connecting to nature, photography, and sharing stories.

I started exploring US National Parks in 1977 and 20 years later became a seasonal Park Ranger.  I’ve lived full-time in a RV for 30 years working summers and playing winters.  I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow old, other than grow up.

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