The 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.
A 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.
The 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.
I drove off pavement east into the Coconino National Forest north of Flagstaff and felt the temperatures drop as the elevation rose.
Found 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.
Sadly 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.
Night above, morning below
In 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.
Made 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.
This 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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