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Tag: fall aspen

12 October 2021

Full circle: load truck-camper, Bryce Canyon, and home

grass trees clouds sunburst Skull Valley ArizonaNot 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.

grass trees mt sunset clouds Skull Valley ArizonaI 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.

Quail bird Ferguson Valley Rd Skull Valley ArizonaTraffic on Ferguson Valley Road as Mr. Quail waited for the chicks to cross

Sierra cat in carrier Arizona road tripPacked 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.

rock cliff Saguaro cactus SR96 West Arizona

brush mts SR97 West Arizona

tower Nothing ArizonaPretty drives on backroads are my favorite and AZ96 & 97 generally west towards Bagdad winds through changing desert then junctions with SR93 north through Nothing.

Dazzos Wikieup ArizonaMade 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.

Hoover Dam bridge I40 West ArizonaBridge 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.

sidemirror Lake Mead Lake Shore Road Nevada

Lake Shore Road North NevadaNot 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.

Virgin River Gorge I15 North Arizona

Virgin River Gorge I15 North ArizonaThe 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.

aluminum on truckcamper St George UtahWork 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.

new wood truckcamper St George Utah

aluminum on truckcamper St George UtahOne 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.

truckcamper St George UtahIt 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.

rain fall colors mt SR20 East UtahFriday 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.

trees sunset clouds Wheel Inn RV Park Fredonia ArizonaSunset 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!!!!!

Sage Flats & Kaibab Plateau SR89A South ArizonaBy 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.

fall colors Grand Staircase clouds LeFevre overlook SR89A Kaibab National Forest ArizonaStopped 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.

16 DSCN0526lecwfbr Jacob Lake Inn AZ g-3

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.

Fall colors 2006 Warm Fire Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaFrom 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.

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaHow I needed that fix.

fall colors Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaEnded up driving almost 25 miles to the Country Store where I said hi to Robert.  Then turned around and stopped some more.

fall colors Kaibab National Forest ArizonaIf only it wasn’t predicted to be so cold overnight I would gladly have camped amongst all that color.

fall colors Pleasant Valley Kaibab National Forest ArizonaBut the afternoon was waning and I still had to find a camp.

House Rock Valley from SR89A Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAlways 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.

Vermilion Cliffs clouds sun rays BLM Hatch Arizona

Vermilion Cliffs clouds BLM ArizonaDefinitely made the right choice there when the setting sun came through the heavy clouds offering a magical light show on the Vermilion Cliffs.

Echo Cliffs sunset clouds BLM ArizonaThe 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.

truck camper RV Echo Cliffs clouds BLM ArizonaNo 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 SR89 South ArizonaMt 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.

truckcamper & 5th-wheel Skull Valley ArizonaPulled into my Skull Valley home at 5pm.  Ah, homes sweet homes.

bumper rock collection BLM Vermilion Cliffs ArizonaBumper rock collection BLM Vermilion Cliffs AZ

 

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Arizona, Bryce Canyon National Park, Kaibab National Forest, Kaibab Plateau, Places I've been, RV life, Saint George Utah, United States, Utah fall aspen, fall colors, moving 37 Comments
16 October 2018

Day trip for Flagstaff Fall Foliage at Snowbowl

fall aspen Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI so needed a fix to see the fall foliage that I’m used to seeing on the North Rim but that’s seven hours away.  Plus with stormy weather predicted for most of the week I decided to take the open window last Wednesday and drive to Flagstaff.

meadow fall aspen Kendrick Peak clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI’d been thinking about it for days and figured to see some snow as well as fall colors at 7,000 feet in elevation.

trees Antelope Peak sunrise Yarnell ArizonaAwoke early to a pretty sunrise.  Packed snacks and warm clothes and left home about 7am.  I even washed the inside of the windshield though you wouldn’t know it to look at the photos taken on the fly.

View NE Pioneer Parkway Prescott ArizonaHeading up Iron Springs Road I saw it might be a while before the Cottonwoods turn colors.  Bypassing most of Prescott under blue sky yet see a cloud bank to the north where I’m headed.

Juniper-Pinyon US89 North ArizonaThen north on SR89 through the awful Chino roundabouts and past the fields of tall bright shiny gold grasses.  Didn’t see any antelope but did see long-horn cattle.  Climbing towards Ashfork the Juniper and Pinyon woodlands don’t show any obvious visual fall colors except for the golden grasses.

construction I40 East ArizonaLots of construction on I40 slowed down the drive but what a difference it will make when done and no potholes large enough to swallow a Smart car.

snow trees Snowbowl Road Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe closer I got to Flagstaff the more clouds and the temperature dropped to 50°F.  Driving up to Snowbowl felt like the beginnings of winter.

snow fall aspen Snowbowl Road Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAs the shoulder became more white the aspen started showing a little color.  The road is in terrible condition, no shoulder and the fog line is crumbling away.  Suppose that’s the result of lots of snow and plows to clear it.

snow chairlift trees low clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThis was my first visit to the end of this road to Snowbowl.  Bet it’s a pretty place to snow ski, something I quit doing many decades ago in exchange for warmer winter activities in the southern desert.

chairlift snowy meadow fall aspen Kendrick Peak Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaFrom the busy parking lot I walked a trail towards the ski lifts and beyond.  I wanted to take in the view from higher up without climbing any mountains before walking into the forest.

snowy meadow fall aspen Kendrick Peak Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaTalked to a young man who came up from Phoenix for a few days to take photos of the fall aspen.

Couple on horses Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThen a couple on horse back road up and asked if I would take their picture, sure if I could take some too.  Nice way to get around and keep your feet dry, but you can see they are still bundled up, as was I, for the cold.

fall aspen Kendrick Peak Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThe sun tried to peak in and out of the clouds.

red Paintbrush flower snow Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI walked downhill towards the colorful forest and slipped in the snow.  A quick recovery kept me from getting wet.  Was hard to believe flowers still bloomed.

snow meadow fall aspen clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaThank goodness for my water proof hiking boots my feet stayed warm and dry.

snow meadow fall aspen clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff Arizona

snow fall aspen Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaAs I worked my way closer to the forest I also paid attention to stay out of the way of other photographers.

snow fall aspen Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaAnd in that process met a couple photographers I’ve known only on Facebook who had driven up from Sedona.  They were all carrying tripods which I didn’t do but probably should have used it as a walking pole.

snow gold Fall Aspen clouds sunburst Snowbowl Flagstaff Arizona

snow gold Fall Aspen mountain clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaFelt like magic walking into the forest with the snow and golden leaves almost like the seasons were confused.

snow meadow trees mountains clouds Snowbowl Flagstaff ArizonaI spent about 2 1/2 hours wandering and making photos of this wonderland that all too soon will be buried under a white blanket and covered with skiers.

SR89 South ArizonaThen it was time to hit the highway home, a three hour drive.  More construction along I40 caused me to be going slow enough to see a Bald Eagle fly.  No photo of that rare sighting.

Iron Springs Road ArizonaThe clouds only thinned a little on the way back.  More storms coming makes me wonder if that will be the end of the color at high elevation.

Iron Springs Road ArizonaIf the temperatures continue to drop I’ll soon be looking for fall foliage in my own neighborhood.

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11 October 2017

Searching for more Fall color

October 2 & 3, 2017

Fall colors SR67 North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaYet another drive out of the park and into the forest on days off searching for more Fall color.

Fall colors FR219 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaThe neon yellow almost overwhelmed me.

Fall colors FR610 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

up golden aspen FR610 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaHad to stop and catch my breath, plus take photos of course.

fall leaves on ground FR219 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Golden aspen FR219 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAs the forest road narrows it feels like driving in a tunnel of gold.

tree tunnel & view Marble View Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAnd then, the green tunnel.  Which marks the arrival to one of my favorite places to camp, Marble View, and a meet up with friends.

late light moon view from Marble View Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAfter a shared taco dinner we sat and chatted outside until sundown when the temperatures dropped and everyone disappeared into their respective campers.

Jelly road fall aspen Marble View Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI set the alarm for sunrise but when I peaked out the window it looked rather soft and boring so didn’t go out into the crisp morning.  Later some of us went for a walk.

curved ponderosa pine fall colors FR219 Kaibab National Forest Arizonafall aspen FR219 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Yet it was still relatively early when we all took off to further explore the forest for Fall color.

golden aspen tree tunnel FR219 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

aspen leaves on ground FR219 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI tried repeatedly, and unsuccessfully, to capture the falling leaves.

fall aspen FR610 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

Mule deer FR610 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaSeveral times I startled deer along the road, or they startled me.

fall aspen everygreens FR611 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaAs I dropped down towards the main highway, hillsides of patchwork color showed through the dense forest.

fall aspen FR611 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaSome trees were tipped with a touch of peach.

fall aspen leaves in everygreen FR611 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaSmall pines were decorated with the aspen leaves like ornaments of gold.

Mile-and-a-half-Lake fall aspen Kaibab National Forest ArizonaI went to Mile-and-a-Half Lake hoping for reflections of Fall color but the lake was barely there.  So I continued with a big loop drive through the forest with many stops along the way.

fall aspen 2006 Warm Fire FR429 Kaibab National Forest Arizona

fall aspen 2006 Warm Fire FR212 Kaibab National Forest ArizonaFound my way through the 2006 Warm Fire area with pockets of young aspen still showing off some Fall color.

Then back into the park and home.

fall color Gooseberry Cape Royal traill North Rim Grand Canyon National Park ArizonaA week later and still a little Fall color but mostly brown and down.  Maples are fading except on the slopes below the rim.  Locust are now yellow.  And the currants steal the show with shades of green to yellow fringed with red.

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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.

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