Unfortunately, it was a cold and rainy day so our only option was to drive around Zion today - not good for exploring the Park on foot. But we knew that was going to be the situation so planned for it. Turned out to be really nice, actually. A lot more color is visable without the glare of that "darned" western sun and blue sky. We ended up driving every mile of paved road in the Park. Took a lot of pictures and will post them tomorrow.
The campground "loop" we are in is closing for a week starting in the morning so we have to pack everything up and move. One option is to simply move to the other "loop" right next to us here, but going to all that work to move will probably result in us leaving the park for ????????.
Patty and Laurie took Ellen and I out to dinner tonight which was great, not only because it was nice that they did so, but with the weather, it meant we did not have to stay "tightly packed" in the RV all night - too wet for a campfire.
So, that's all to report on today.
Sunday
Day 34
Day 34 is Saturday. As a memo - I usually write a day after the fact. So while it's actually Sunday now, this is about Saturday.
I went back and rewrote the Day 33 posting (Friday), so if you have already read it you may want to go back and have a look at the pictures.
We got up and moving as quick as we could today - about 10:00am we were out the door. All six of us squeezed into the car and we drove the canyon roads here in Zion. Normally, the only way to see Zion is by shuttle bus - just too much traffic and not enough room to park to allow private vehicles. But the "season" does not start until April 1st so we were able to drive and stop anywhere we wanted. We did several very short walks and stopped for lunch at the Zion Lodge. Drove the rest of the "easy" road in the afternoon. Lot's of plans for Sunday, but we will no doubt change our minds. Weather is a factor. It began raining late this afternoon/early evening and really poured overnight. Forecast for Sunday is rain and cold.
Today's pictures -
I went back and rewrote the Day 33 posting (Friday), so if you have already read it you may want to go back and have a look at the pictures.
We got up and moving as quick as we could today - about 10:00am we were out the door. All six of us squeezed into the car and we drove the canyon roads here in Zion. Normally, the only way to see Zion is by shuttle bus - just too much traffic and not enough room to park to allow private vehicles. But the "season" does not start until April 1st so we were able to drive and stop anywhere we wanted. We did several very short walks and stopped for lunch at the Zion Lodge. Drove the rest of the "easy" road in the afternoon. Lot's of plans for Sunday, but we will no doubt change our minds. Weather is a factor. It began raining late this afternoon/early evening and really poured overnight. Forecast for Sunday is rain and cold.
Today's pictures -
European tourist taking our picture
Just assorted views that should speak for themselves unless comment required
The trail "boss" on the left with our two vacationers
Patty trying to decide if she want's to hike up this canyon - NOT!
Ellen telling Patty and Laurie what the perfect size for her is
at "Peace" in Zion
Going our way?
This has the shape of a tunnel and looks like a tunnel with a big drop-off, but actually is a side "window" along the way of a 1.5 mile tunnel through the rock cut back in 1947 that runs left to right across the picture. There are about 6 of these windows with what is sure to be breathtaking views that we could only get passing views of from the car because stopping in the tunnel is forbidden.
I was cooking dinner tonight. The girls went "shopping" in Springdale. I had the meatloaf and mashed potatoes ready to go. The fire was burning. The camp was set. But where could they be? What could they possibly be doing?
Saturday
Day 33
Today is Friday and we finalized the cleaning of the RV before leaving the Oasis RV Resort just South of the Las Vegas Strip. Two nights here and we never made it downtown. It's a good thing - saved us a lot of money. If we had more time (and money) to spend here we would have gone to see what's new - there is a lot!
Ellen picked up Patty and Laurie at the airport and drove them back to the Oasis to hook up and head for Zion. The rest is told below picture by picture.
Leaving Needles Wednesday morning Ellen wanted to get a little driving time in. Here is proof that she actually drove the "Rig" about 40 miles.
Ellen picked up Patty and Laurie at the airport and drove them back to the Oasis to hook up and head for Zion. The rest is told below picture by picture.
Leaving Needles Wednesday morning Ellen wanted to get a little driving time in. Here is proof that she actually drove the "Rig" about 40 miles.
This is Vegas as seen approaching from the South on I-15. The usual thought of Vegas is that it's out in the middle of the desert. It is, but the beautiful mountains surrounding it are often forgotten
Another approaching view closer to town
Isabelle had some email's to check when we arrived.
The Oasis RV Resort is huge! I think it's over a thousand spaces. Spaces are OK - some better (and more costly) than others. Here is BlueBoy tucked in his spot, and as you can see the weather was great.
They're here!
On the road north of Las Vegas headed for Zion - pretty country
Getting close to St. George
St. George at the base of the mountains. Everyone who's been here said St. George is beautiful. It is!
Road out of St. George nearing Zion
We made it!
Patty helping Ellen fix dinner
Grilled shrimp, pasta with mushrooms, and avocado & tomato salad
Three happy campers
Thursday
Day 32
Sorry about no pictures. Just not much to get excited about to show here in Vegas but the crowded RV park we are in. It's a clean park with pool, hot tubs, dog runs, bar and restaurant, and more. But right by I-15 and so a lot of traffic noise. But we are here only to get caught up on laundry and groceries and RV cleaning and to be staged to pick up Patty & Laurie tomorrow. We did get all that done. The tempetation to go "downtown" was great. We (I) resisted and we stayed at the park tonight. I thought by the time we took a taxi downtown, walked around, had a few drinks, ate dinner and drank wine, then gambled away a hundred or so dollars each, then got a taxi back to the RV park, that we (I) would be thankful for the decision to not go out and get home around midnight.
We will probably come back through Vegas to "bag" some National Parks in California so if the desire to visit "the strip" still exists when and if we do get back here we will stay at one of the casinos on the strip so the access to the action is easier and cheaper.
The mountain views around Vegas really are beautiful and not noticed by many who visit. Too many other distractions I guess. But even from this RV park we can see snow covered peaks and a vast range of mountains. Just too many RV's in the way!
We have some pictures coming into Vegas from California and will try to get some good ones from here at the RV Resort. Next up, Zion National Park. I expect to have cell phone service there (and therefore internet) but I don't remember what the situation was when we were there several years ago. So if we disapear for several days you'll know why.
We will probably come back through Vegas to "bag" some National Parks in California so if the desire to visit "the strip" still exists when and if we do get back here we will stay at one of the casinos on the strip so the access to the action is easier and cheaper.
The mountain views around Vegas really are beautiful and not noticed by many who visit. Too many other distractions I guess. But even from this RV park we can see snow covered peaks and a vast range of mountains. Just too many RV's in the way!
We have some pictures coming into Vegas from California and will try to get some good ones from here at the RV Resort. Next up, Zion National Park. I expect to have cell phone service there (and therefore internet) but I don't remember what the situation was when we were there several years ago. So if we disapear for several days you'll know why.
Wednesday
Day 31
Very nice and unexpected RV park in Needles, CA but we did not have time to stay. Had to move on up the road to Las Vegas to be ready for "the girls" on Friday.
In the nearly 5 years I have had the motorhome Ellen has only driven it about 90 miles. She did about 50 miles 4 years and today she got in the seat for 40 more. She really did good, but I was happy when she said "enough".
We are back at the Oasis RV park on the south side of Vegas where we stayed two years ago. Nice place for a short stay, but nothing to do unless here for the "action" on the strip. We might go "downtown" tomorrow night, but a little afraid of the temptation to "hit the tables". Could be costly!
We'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them along with the few taken today on our way into Vegas. It's really pretty out here even though one does not usually think of Vegas as having the snow-covered mountains in the background we saw today.
In the nearly 5 years I have had the motorhome Ellen has only driven it about 90 miles. She did about 50 miles 4 years and today she got in the seat for 40 more. She really did good, but I was happy when she said "enough".
We are back at the Oasis RV park on the south side of Vegas where we stayed two years ago. Nice place for a short stay, but nothing to do unless here for the "action" on the strip. We might go "downtown" tomorrow night, but a little afraid of the temptation to "hit the tables". Could be costly!
We'll take some pictures tomorrow and post them along with the few taken today on our way into Vegas. It's really pretty out here even though one does not usually think of Vegas as having the snow-covered mountains in the background we saw today.
Tuesday
Day 30
Sadly we left Anza-Borrego State Park this morning. It really is a great place in the Southern California desert. We keep asking ourselves why we did not plan to spend time here this trip as we enjoyed it so much two years ago. We did get here, but only had four days available. Next time we will spend two - four week in the area. It's really that nice. We feel really stupid for not planning appropriately.
But we drove to Needles, CA on the Arizona border with only the Colorado River separating CA from AZ. We are at what was to be a modular home community on the Colorado River that fell on hard times recently due to the housing "crunch". The owner decided to open it up to RV's and we are glad he did. A great spot with pool, hot tubs, Colorado River access, beautiful weather and views of the mountanis. It's basically the same great weather we have enjoyed at Lake Havasu in the years past - just on the California side of the river.
Just one night here then on to Vegas in the morning.
But we drove to Needles, CA on the Arizona border with only the Colorado River separating CA from AZ. We are at what was to be a modular home community on the Colorado River that fell on hard times recently due to the housing "crunch". The owner decided to open it up to RV's and we are glad he did. A great spot with pool, hot tubs, Colorado River access, beautiful weather and views of the mountanis. It's basically the same great weather we have enjoyed at Lake Havasu in the years past - just on the California side of the river.
Just one night here then on to Vegas in the morning.
The mandatory dog picture first - the girls staying in the shade of a bush as we packed up
Aren't we a cute couple?
The RV park we spent one night at on the Colorado River in Needles, CA - Arizona is on the opposite shore
Their boat launch and riverside patio area
Blue Boy in his spot for the night
No words can describe - but Bruce (and you know who you are) I have my "Brucifers" on
OK - a second dog picture. We let the girls swim in the Colorado River today at the RV park "beach". They both went "nuts" coming out of the cold water. Isabelle has to "waller" in the dirt after swimming but we would not allow her to do so. She waited until we got back to the RV and did the Ra-Ra-Roo on the sofa (it's a Lauer family thing)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)