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Category: road trip

10 November 2020

On the road to November

trees hoodoos Red Canyon Dixie National Forest SR12 UtahLeft Bryce Canyon on October 25th, before it snowed, and am on the road again in the truck-camper.  The more than 150 mile circle around Bryce was headed into a cold front.  With nights everywhere predicted below freezing, or close, I could only think south.

fall trees SR89 South UtahAnd I only got 1 1/2 hours south to Fredonia, just across the border into Arizona.  A familiar drive along SR89 to Kanab where I didn’t even stop.  I felt tired, exhausted, and drained from the last week at work and closing up the 5th-wheel to move into the camper.

5th-wheel stored in Henrieville UtahShortly after arriving at the Wheel Inn RV Park I received a text that the 5er is winterized and in storage.  That’s a relief.

fall cottonwood trees field storm clouds Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia ArizonaView from end of RV Park

Turned out a friend from the North Rim was already in this park so I pulled in next door.  Sure was good to catch up and talk to someone who understands an intense COVID summer season in a busy national park.  She usually waits tables in the Lodge but due to take-out dinning only her job ended up being the door counter, limiting ten people into the Lodge building for cabin and mule-ride check-in, and enforcing mask wearing.  Sounds like she was verbally abused way too many times.

window view Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia Arizona

sunset clouds Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia ArizonaKind of a noisy RV park, or maybe I’m just spoiled.  Also not used to paying $25/night even though I know that’s pretty cheap these days.  But really, basically a level gravel parking lot with utilities and a picnic table.  I initially paid for two nights and added a third to have electricity for heat as the lows dropped below freezing.

truck camper Lynda's house St George Utah

Red Cliffs Desert Reserve by Lynda's St George UtahI was ready to be on the road by Wednesday and drove another 1 1/2 hours west to St. George, Utah with a shopping stop along the way.  A friend invited me to park in her driveway.  I figured one night there but stayed two nights and we even got in a little walk at the nearby Red Cliffs Desert Reserve.  We plan to meet up in the southern desert somewhere this winter.

RVs on Snowbird Mesa Lake Road Overton NevadaFriday, I was on the road again continuing yet another 1 1/2 hours just south of Overton, Nevada to dispersed camping known as Snowbird Mesa or Poverty Flats.

RVs Snowbird Mesa Overton Nevada

RVs Snowbird Mesa Overton NevadaLots of snowbirds, more than I’m used to seeing the end of October, but by the look of the RVs and ‘toys’ mostly not suffering impoverishment.  Everybody works at keeping some distance.  Though my nearest neighbor living in a small pickup truck with a topper has rather loud conversations seemingly with himself, or maybe his dog.

canyon road mountains reverse sunset Earth Shadow Snowbird Mesa Nevada

camper van mountains moon rise Snowbird Mesa NevadaI planned to photograph the almost full moon that night and didn’t have to walk far from camp for an interesting foreground and composition.  Had I driven further off the popular path I might have eliminated other RVs.

mountains moon rise Snowbird Mesa Nevada

canyon road mountains moon rise Snowbird Mesa NevadaBut when I walked the next day realized I’d have to drive farther than I wanted to on rough gravel to really isolate and for just one more night in that location decided it wasn’t worth it.  Definitely isolated enough for no trick-or-treaters.  Good thing, as I didn’t buy any candy.

canyon mountains sunset clouds Snowbird Mesa Overton NevadaPretty sunset, but for full moon it was too late thus too dark for this too lazy photographer to drag out the tripod.

mountains sunrise clouds Snowbird Mesa NevadaI left Sunday morning relatively early for me with the intent of at least a four hour drive to Wickenburg, Arizona for my mail-in ballot.

road lake mountains clouds late light Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaInstead, in only 30 minutes, I saw a sign along the windy Lake Road drive for Stewarts Point and decided to check it out.  The two-mile drive to the lake goes past a bunch of older and many dilapidated small houses that make up the unincorporated community of Stewarts Point, inside the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.  These remaining not quite lakeshore properties are from the 1950s when the National Park Service issued long-term leases inside the recreation area yet quit renewing with a change in philosophy and policy during the 1970s.  According to this article, only 48 cabins remained as of 2013.  Most of what I saw didn’t look very used.

lake mountains clouds late light Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI’d say less RVs than Snowbird Mesa or maybe just spread out more.  There are many options for sites with some more difficult to get to than others.  I’d recommend scouting before driving with a big rig.  My spot was mostly level and good enough for a night or two but I saw many others I’d prefer for next time.

sunset clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nevada

sunset clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI spent a delightful day taking short walks and reading in the shade.  Just enough clouds to put on a show for sunset.

desert lake mountains sunrise clouds reflection Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI had every intention of leaving the next morning and was greeted with a worthy sunrise with clouds.

brush lake mountains clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaAnd the clouds beckoned me to stay yet another day.  I am a nepholographer.

shore lake mountains clouds Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area Nevada

lake mountains Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaLight and shadow danced across the land.  I finished reading another book.  Took short walks.  I tried to relax and be lazy.

desert sunset clouds crepuscular rays Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaMy mind just wouldn’t stop trying to figure out what and where to be this winter.  I need to figure out how to keep my phone and laptop charged by solar so I don’t NEED to stay in RV parks.  I don’t really understand all the solar stuff so want to talk to someone who does.  I’m willing to add another battery or panel, or both if that’s what it takes.  Probably go back to Solar Bill’s in Quartzsite, eventually.

desert mountains sunset clouds crepuscular rays Stewarts Point Overton Arm Lake Mead National Recreation Area NevadaI stayed for two nights within sight of the ever shrinking Lake Mead along the Overton Arm.  But I had no choice on Tuesday to get on the road to November 3rd so I could vote in Wickenburg, Maricopa county, where I’m registered.

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Arizona, Nevada, Places I've been, road trip, RV living, travel, United States, Utah road trip, travel, truckcamper 19 Comments
06 August 2018

On the way home

trees sunrise FR545 Coconino National Forest ArizonaThe most recent two week vacation to restore my sanity is over and I broke up the drive a bit on the way home from Bryce Canyon because it was hot and I don’t like to drive more than 3-4 hours in a day.

valley SR12 West UtahA rather uneventful two hour drive and 3000 foot drop in elevation off the Paunsaugunt Plateau with temperature increases and no stops along the way.  There are a few cute small towns and I saw people rafting on the Sevier River but I didn’t need anything or want to cook the cat.  Got to Kanab about 1pm.  Parked, level, and plugged in with AC for Sierra and me at Bill’s house.  I love being able to visit friends in the comfort of my own home.

DSCN5641 smoke San Fransisco Peaks SR89 South Arizona

smoke San Fransisco Peaks SR89 South ArizonaThe next day I continued on the way home via SR89 from Utah to Arizona through Page where I only stopped for fuel at 103°.  The view was hazy with smoke from lightning started fires on the Kaibab National Forest and the Obi Fire on the North Rim.

meadow trees San Fransisco Peaks clouds FR545 Coconino National Forest ArizonaI drove off pavement east into the Coconino National Forest north of Flagstaff and felt the temperatures drop as the elevation rose.

camper Sierra cat on leash FR545 Coconino National Forest ArizonaFound a nice place to camp with a signal and brought Sierra out on her leash.  She lead me around walking like five feet and plopping down with heavy tail wags.  Then would move on and do that again.  We never walked more than 15 feet from the camper.  I got the feeling she wasn’t entirely impressed.  But the poor girl hadn’t been outside in a week.  I figured she’d be really happy to be home the next day where she could run free.

meadow trees San Fransisco Peaks smokey sunset clouds FR545 Coconino National Forest ArizonaSadly as the evening settled, so did the smoke.  Not bad enough to totally obscure the view but could definitely smell it and gave a little extra color to sunset.

meadow trees smoke San Fransisco Peaks FR545 Coconino National Forest ArizonaNight above, morning below

meadow trees early light San Fransisco Peaks FR545 Coconino National Forest ArizonaIn the morning the smoke had decreased for the rest of the drive on the way home.  After a quick grocery stop in Flagstaff I encountered road construction on I40 west.  Sure glad the road is finally being repaved as it had potholes large enough to swallow a Smartcar.

truckcamper Yarnell ArizonaMade it home in about 2 1/2 hours, parked and plugged in.  Sierra went out for hours.  We stayed in the camper one more night and moved back into the little house slowly over the next two mornings to avoid the 90+° days.

Berta memorial flyerThis past two weeks on the road is just what I needed.  As usual, nature revitalized my spirit.  I love to journey but also like to have a home to come to.  I am working on a community gathering to celebrate Berta’s life.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

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Arizona, Places I've been, road trip, United States, Utah camping, Coconino National Forest, Flagstaff, Kanab, Page, RV life 22 Comments
16 July 2018

Plotting a road trip

tree tunnel & view Marble View Kaibab National Forest ArzonaLast week I wrote about getting out of the rut I’ve recently found myself in and the best thing for that is plotting a road trip.  Just thinking about traveling got me excited, and that’s what I need.  Plus I really have to get away from all the uninvited critters in and around the Yarnell house, perhaps a good time to have it critter proofed.  And it’s about time Sierra learned to be a road warrioress.

tarantula Yarnell ArizonaShe is already pretty street-wise, or should I say wildlife wise.  Last week I saw Sierra watching/stalking something and when I went out to scare whatever it was away—no new roommates needed—discovered a 5” female tarantula.  I covered and trapped it with a container then called the local Spider Pharm and they came and caught it.  She will either be used for breeding or milking to produce an anti-venom.  I would have let her go under the shed where she was headed but Sierra goes under the shed too.

gopher snake by door Yarnell ArizonaThe next morning again Sierra alerts me to a critter.  This time a young gopher snake working its way out from between the walls at the front door jam. I keep Sierra back with a broom, take a couple quick pics, and then the snake slips back into the wall.  Hmmm, how to fill this crack which comes into the house. I know it’s a good snake, but I don’t want it as a roommate. Tinfoil! Filled the crack. Know idea where the snake will go.  This house needs a major spray and seal which would require moving a whole lot of stuff both inside and out. I haven’t said anything to Berta’s daughter about any of this because she has enough on her plate right now.

Light in forest & on grasses Mile & a Half Lake FR212 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaSeems one of the big reasons not to travel right now has been the cost of fuel. I could probably still live rent free and always have to eat. Going to need two tires soon and that’s a big expense. But seriously, if I’m not going to work this summer—last two possible jobs fell through—I really don’t want to just sit here either.  I can stay at moderate elevation to escape heat, boondock for undetermined amount of time in any one place, and don’t go very far to the next place.

trees Weaver Mountains clouds Yarnell Arizona

bushes Cottonwood rainbow Yarnell ArizonaI believe monsoon has arrived to the Southwest.  During summer we get really excited about rain on this parched landscape.  Plan activities before 11am for the best chance to stay dry, plus of course the temperatures are cooler.  Sometimes it’s just a show of dark clouds, thunder and lightning.  Precipitation ranges from count the drops on one hand, to deluge causing flash floods.  My favorite is the gentle female rain that soaks the ground slowly.  And then sometimes, a colorful gift follows.

trees valley Marble Canyon rain clouds crepuscular rays Marble View Kaibab National Forest Arizona

last light temples San Fransisco peaks sunset North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI need inspiration. New views to photograph, write about, and share.  Or even old views revisited.  I love to watch the storms move across Grand Canyon.

Gaelyn Bryce Canyon National Park UtahAnd if clouds don’t block the view, moon rise at Bryce would be nice.  I haven’t been there since filming the documentary over two years ago.  Which, BTW, I can soon share the link with you.

three inch scorpion bathroom sink little house Yarnell ArizonaTraveling means moving back into the truck-camper.  And after finding a 3” scorpion in the bathroom sink Saturday morning I was motivated to move.

Sierra cat on bed camper Yarnell ArizonaWithin a couple of hours Sierra and I were settled into the camper with most of our basic needs: cat pan, food and water bowls, coffee, food, and computer.  And then the refreshing light rain came and cooled the air.

truckcamper website on bumper Yarnell ArizonaPull out Tuesday destination Flagstaff.

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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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