Not even settled in to my new space in Skull Valley or decompressed from the summer season at Bryce Canyon but it’s time to load the repaired truck-camper, and return to Bryce one more time before I am free to do as I please which included Autumn color on the Kaibab and a nighttime bonus below Vermilion Cliffs.
I was feeling perfectly happy hanging out at my new Skull Valley home. Thinking about trimming a few small and low branches for ease of access and building some steps into the berm. Ah, nesting. Something I really haven’t done in a few years since Yarnell. However, I needed to pack a few things into the backseat and drive to St. George, Utah to load the truck-camper. And one of the those things was Sierra in a cat carrier in the passenger seat. Didn’t know what to anticipate from that.
Traffic on Ferguson Valley Road as Mr. Quail waited for the chicks to cross
Packed the last minute things, including Sierra, Wednesday morning and hit the road. She meowed quite a bit at first and I just assured her it would be alright. Guess she believed me as she soon quietly curled up and went to sleep.
Pretty drives on backroads are my favorite and AZ96 & 97 generally west towards Bagdad winds through changing desert then junctions with SR93 north through Nothing.
Made a traditional stop in Wikeiup at Dazzos for a Chicago style Italian Beef sandwich. The owner died suddenly on Labor Day so not sure what will become of this place. I couldn’t dawdle as Sierra was in the closed truck cab and with no AC that was getting into the 80s. I gave her a little water and we were on our way.
Bridge above Hoover Dam
After just a short drive on I40 I opted to continue north on SR93 and take the Lakeshore drive instead of more interstate past Las Vegas. I try to avoid cities. Miles about the same, only a wee bit slower with no semis and barely any traffic.
Not much water left to see in Lake Mead yet I do love the surrounding landscape. Too soon I was in Overton, Nevada making a beer stop for the camper repairman and back on interstate for the last run north on I15 to St. George.
The Virgin River Gorge makes this a gorgeous drive. Made for a long drive when six hours turned into eight. Sierra was grateful to get out of the carrier and into her larger box, the truck-camper.
Work on the truck-camper moved along quicker than I’d have thought. Back in June when the decision was made to fix it, Bob the engineer took this as a challenge and project. You may remember when I dropped the truck-camper at Lynda’s in August knowing the repairs would occur in the fall when temperatures cooled below 100+°. His idea was to reinforce the front corners with aluminum L brackets and lined underneath with aluminum sheeting.
One side required a little replaced wood. Not only is it structurally stronger than when it was built 25 years ago but it looks great too. Bob said good for at least another ten years. All I could really do to help was hold and fetch.
It almost took longer to re-load onto the truck than do the repairs. Just kidding. But there is small margin for error loading a truck-camper between the wheel wells that definitely takes two people. The heavy jacks could be taken off completely and left at home as I don’t plan for this to come off the truck again for a while.
Friday morning I left early, for me, and drove 2 1/2 hours through mostly rain and lots of wind to Bryce Canyon. Amazed how much fall color came on in the last week. The paperwork person did her magic and collected my keys, badges, and the all important PIV card that sometimes got me into government computers. I signed some papers, got my final evaluation, said goodbyes, and was back on the road in two hours. And thus, I am no longer employed and officially retired. Or at least I don’t plan on returning which is all that happens for a seasonal employee. Bittersweet. Hard to say goodbye and glad to be leaving. Especially as the temperature would be dropping with possible snow Saturday night. And I didn’t plan to be there.
Sunset from the RV Park
Instead, I drove 1 1/2 hours south to Fredonia through more rain and stayed at the Wheel Inn RV Park, plugged in with heat. I FEEL FREE!!!!!
By morning I decided to drive up on the Kaibab Plateau to hopefully see fall colors. I really wanted to camp in the forest but not with temperatures below freezing. I scored! Been happening a lot lately. Maybe that’s because I’m following my bliss.
Stopped at LeFevre overlook with a clear view to the north and brisk wind. Wonder who I waved to at Yovimpa Point in Bryce at the top of the Grand Staircase.
Of course a cookie stop at Jacob Lake Inn. How could I not. Been way too long. Fortunately there was very little pawn jewelry to temp me so I only bought two chocolate chip cookies.
From there I turned south on SR67 like I was headed to the North Rim, but I didn’t plan on going that far. Wasn’t long before I was pulling over at every wide spot to take photos of the brilliant neon colors of Autumn Aspen all aglow.
How I needed that fix.
Ended up driving almost 25 miles to the Country Store where I said hi to Robert. Then turned around and stopped some more.
If only it wasn’t predicted to be so cold overnight I would gladly have camped amongst all that color.
But the afternoon was waning and I still had to find a camp.
Always stop at the overlook dropping off the east side of the Kaibab Plateau for a marvelous vast view. And that made me think I could just camp on the BLM land seen down below instead of paying for no hookups if I could get a space at Lee’s Ferry. The truck-camper is self contained.
Definitely made the right choice there when the setting sun came through the heavy clouds offering a magical light show on the Vermilion Cliffs.
The reverse sunset looked like Arizona’s version of the Aurora Borealis over Echo Cliffs to the south. The night temperature didn’t go below 40.
No particular rush in the morning though I had at least a four hour drive ahead. I wanted to go home but loved the freedom of travel wherever I want. Yet I also kept an eye on the weather and with cold wind headed my way I sort of made a dash south.
Mt Humphreys marked coming into Flagstaff. Loved the way the mountain is crowned with golden aspen and topped with a bit of snow. That’s where snow belongs, on top of mountains. Fueled the truck before town, then stopped for lunch in Ashfork and a few groceries in Chino Valley. That’s how a four hour drive becomes six.
Pulled into my Skull Valley home at 5pm. Ah, homes sweet homes.
Bumper rock collection BLM Vermilion Cliffs AZ
Sunday I opened the visitor center at 8am to a line of people who mostly wanted to use the bathroom. Within the next hour a long line also formed to ask us Rangers the typical question, “I just got here what should I do?” I sure wish people knew how to read a map or do a little pre-planning. Thank goodness I was only there a couple hours that went by lightning fast. Then off to Yovimpa Point for the afternoon, if I could find a place to park. I parked out of the way yet illegally hoping to move but before I could finish eating lunch while sitting in the truck was hemmed in front and back. Spent from noon to 4:30 at Yovimpa and the new supervisor Mike came out to watch and stayed for several hours. I lost track of how many times I did short talks about geology and fire ecology. I just pulled them in when folks came to the point. One couple asked at the desk if I was going to Yovimpa because their son had visited last week and told them to see me specifically. That sure felt good. My ego loves those kinds of strokes. I’ll miss that. Had to ask two kids from separate families not to throw rocks over the fence and down on a possible trail while parents stood and said nothing. Them, I won’t miss. But out of at least 93 contacts today most were amazing. I almost ran out of water and finally got back to the visitor center about 30 minutes after my day should have been over.
