Meandering through Utah

Time to head down from the mountains before the cold really hits. We head down from Cedar Breaks into the town of Filmore. We get out of the howling winds and have a nice little stopover for the night at the KOA there.

Our next reservations are in Jolley's Ranch Campground in Springville, just south of Provo. We're not quiet sure but think the campground may be run by the city of Springville. It's a few miles outside of town in the hills. It has a disc golf course, playgrounds, pavilions, and lots of grassy areas, but the campground is set back in a thickly forested area. Our site does have water and electric, and (I foolishly think) too much shade for satellite reception. BUT, there's a football game on, so Tom works hard to prove me wrong!

It's a great place to stay while exploring the Springville/Spanish Fork area, which still has a rural feel even though it's rapidly becoming a Provo suburb.

It's time to get back to cell service and TV, so we drive almost 17 miles northwest to our next stop, Lakeside RV Campground in Provo. We are enjoying the Provo area and Lakeside is a quiet park within walking distance to Utah Lake State Park.

From Provo, it's a short drive to checkout Wallsburg (~30 miles) and Midway (33 miles).

For our next stop, we're thinking we'll check out Logan, UT. The closest and most promising RV park in the area is Aspen Grove RV Park in Tremonton, UT. When we arrive the weather is picture perfect and the views are beautiful.

The next morning was rainy, and I almost didn't notice the mountains in the distance. Fortunately, the rain did not last long, and we were able to make the 25 mile drive to visit Logan, Mendon, Nibley, and Hyrum.

If we keep heading north, we're going to end up in Idaho. That is not the plan, so we turn south and go to Castle Gate RV Park and Campground in Helper, UT.









Helper is named after the "helper" train engines that helped trains make the steep climb up through the mountains to Salt Lake City.












The RV park itself, was new, very well kept with nice facilities and friendly people, but as you can see the area around Helper is relatively arid.

While we are there, we go in search of fall color. We find some (but not much) at the Price Canyon Recreation Area.

Although I'm ready to head on to Colorado, Tom has other ideas when we find information on some BLM land not far away. With a name like "The Wedge" and the "Little Grand Canyon," you know Tom is up for the adventure!

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Our site turns out to be quite private and spacious

Cedar Breaks National Monument sits at the top of Utah's Grand Staircase at an elevation of over 10,000 feet. It is located almost directly west of Bryce Canyon National Park. We had never heard of Cedar Breaks, but it was recommended by a friend of Wendy's (thanks Bruce). We are fortunate enough to get reservations at Cedar Break's Point Supreme Campground before it closes for the winter.

Cedar Breaks has the same beautiful red hoodoos as Bryce Canyon.

While we are there, Wendy added to her mug collection. 

Here's a picture of the Chessman Canyon Fire that was still burning in a remote area while we were there.  

The last glow of dusk illuminates the trees

Cedar Breaks is an International Dark Sky park. Going outside at night at 10,000 feet it's easy to see why.

We also took the time to drive to the Brian Head, where we ran into a traffic jam. The commuters were on their way to their new work site at the ski resort. We understand that they are well trained and efficient at keeping the landscape under control and looking great. 

From there, we did head on up to Brian Head Peak Overlook, an incredibly windy peak, where you can see parts of Utah, Arizona, and Nevada (although not so well the day we were there). 

Zion National Park

First stop in Utah, Zion River Resort in the town of Virgin about 14 miles west of Zion National Park. The park is right next to the Zion River. The sites here are grassy and spacious, and it would be easy to just sit outside and enjoy the park.

But this area is a beautiful area, so we do have to go explore. Our first day, we explore the outer edges of the park. Literally "the road less traveled". The RV park is very close to Kolob Terrace Road, which takes you north out of Virgin and to the Western Edge of Zion.









It is slightly higher mesa than the river canyon. Certainly a lesser traveled area but has some grand scenery.

Looking east towards Zion Canyon

After a couple of days at Zion River Resort, we move a few miles down the road to WillowWind RV Park in Hurricane, UT. We have stayed here before and really enjoyed our stay.

So these are the hike options once we arrive.

While we are here, we do a couple of hikes. The first one is Three Falls Trail. This trail was a little difficult to find...you know, where Google takes you to the closest point...where you have to climb someone's back fence and through a drainage ditch. Anyway, we met a nice little old couple who lived at the house and were able to point us in the right direction.

We hike to the 1st Falls.

Yes, that dot on top is Tom following the trail. I'm sure you can also see the trail he followed (not).

 Once we get there, I don't see a trail to the 2nd Falls. Tom thinks he does and heads up the side of the gorge.
Guess he was right; he did find the 2nd Falls.

That speck next to the far tower of rock is Tom (waiving) and Tank (wagging his tail).

Tom's shot looking back down the canyon

Time for a game of 'Where's Wendy'. Can you find her?

The next day, we set out a lot earlier and head over to Zion National Park. The last time we were at Zion, we took the shuttle to see the sights, but that doesn't leave you much time to do any of the hikes. This time, we do the Watchman Trail (so glad we did this hike in the morning).

When we reach the top, we think we see some people learning to rappel down the mountain. It turns out we've come across Search and Rescue doing some training.

My reward for making it back down the trail.

Starting our 2019 Fall adventure

We've dropped my Mom off at my sister's place for a visit, so our starting point is Bonelli Bluffs RV Resort, overlooking Puddingstone Reservoir in San Dimas, CA. I have no pictures of the campgrounds but do have one of my mom. She'd probably be mad at me if she knew I was posting this!

It just so happens that San Dimas is about 10 miles west of Ontario, where Tom lived for part of his childhood (early grade school). So Tom couldn't resist taking a trip down memory lane. As we drove slowly past Tom's childhood home, the current home owner was sitting out front and eyeing us suspiciously. Tom wanted to take a picture, so we pulled over, and Tom (of course) went over and introduced himself to the home owner. He was very kind and friendly and seemed genuinely interested to hear about how the old man in front of him lived in his house 50+ years ago. After listening to Tom's story and asking a few questions, he related a slightly shorter version to his wife, who was inside. It's always fun to revisit childhood places, which usually look very different than in your memories.

So when it's time to start our trip, our first stop is Las Vegas, NV.  We're staying at the KOA at Sam's Town.
We're only here for one full day, and we decide to do something fun, so we go to see the Cirque du Soleil show, Beatles LOVE. It was bright, colorful and energetic. Really enjoyed the nostalgia of listening to authentic Beatles tunes. Oh, yeah, did I mention it was also VERY LOUD? Unbeknownst to Tom, I wore ear plugs for the whole show (and didn't miss anything)!

The next day, we're leaving to head into Utah.