Menu

Tag: end of season

Fall and winter travel plans

clouds sun rays Wotans Throne from Cape Royal North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaMy 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 UtahCapitol 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.

Sipapu Bridge Natural Bridges National Monument UtahNatural 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.

RVs #9 Abbey Road North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaI’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.

Curvy road Zion National Park UtahZion 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.

Wooden Shoe The Needles District Canyonlands National Park UtahCanyonlands National Park

Then I plan to cruise to Capitol Reef, Arches, Canyonlands, Natural Bridges and whatever else catches my fancy along the way.

Delicate Arch Arches National Park UtahArches 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.

Save

National Parks and Monuments, travel , , , 32 Comments

Goodbye Grand Canyon, Hello Fredonia

Dancing fall aspen FR271 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Light & shadow Angels Gate from Lodge North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaIt’s always difficult to say goodbye Grand Canyon.  Happens every year for the last seven, and this one no easier.  But sadly my summer season is over at the North Rim as the gold falls from the aspens.  And hopefully before the snow falls on the plateau.

Canyon view from Bright Angel Point trail North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaAs usual its been an awesome season sharing the canyon with people from around the world.  The best of times is seeing the look of wonder on people’s faces especially when they’re seeing it for the first time.  “Wow!” is the most often heard word.  Phones, iPads, and cameras of every size, shape and color capture memories.  Conversations occur between strangers.  Languages from around the world.

Visitors on Lodge veranda North Rim Grand Canyon National Park Arizona

Rain in canyon & Colorado River from Walhalla overlook North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA busy season with increased visitation, here and many other southwestern parks.  Utah tourism put out a big push in advertising and the North Rim is part of the most visited triad around Kanab including Zion and Bryce National Parks.  The National Park Service’s #FindYourPark campaign preparing for next year’s centennial seems to be getting the word out very well.  Fuel prices were down this summer making travel more affordable.  But how many people can a national park handle?  The experience is altered by fighting crowds and circling parking lots.  Are National Parks being loved to death?  Obviously people do LoveTheirParks.  Too bad Congress doesn’t.

Old garage Fredonia ArizonaSaturday, October 17th was my COB (Close of Business) after a three hour shift at the Visitor Center.  Sunday I’ll pack up the stuff/chachkies/detritus and Monday roll off the Kaibab Plateau.  But instead of heading south to Yarnell the big wheels roll northward almost to Utah.  Hello Fredonia.  Every time I tell someone I’m moving to Fredonia in my head I hear “Hail Fredonia!” from the Marx brother’s movie Duck Soup.  Except that Fredonia was in New York.  Fredonia, AZ: population 1300.

Newspaper Rock UtahMany of you know I met Bill almost five months ago while blocking a road on the edge of Kanab Creek wilderness.  Hopefully you’ve been following along as he tours me around southern Utah.  Nice to have a tour guide instead of always being one.  Our friendship/relationship, oh we’re not sure what to call it, continues to grow and flourish.  Basically we really enjoy each others company.  And that would be hard to do from Yarnell almost eight hours away from Kanab, Utah.

USFS office Fredonia ArizonaNo word yet on the job with the Forest Service North Kaibab District, located in Fredonia.  But I did make the cert and was referred.  Government Human Resources are extremely slow.

Upper Buckskin UtahI’m really looking forward to time off so Bill and I can go explore more of the southern Utah slick rock, especially now as the temperatures have cooled down from the summer hundreds and before the winter cold.  Of course I am still writing about the last journey after leaving Hovenweep.

life , 27 Comments

Lijit

© Copyright 2008-2024. Geogypsytraveler.com