Full Moon Rising

We left Hot Springs on Oct 24^th and headed down I40 towards Memphis.  We detoured to US 70 for a bit due to some construction work per the GPS warning.   I always wonder how accurate these are and if they do really save you time and aggravation.  I also had some misgivings about staying near Memphis, driving through last year was not a pleasant experience.  I was not getting a warm and fuzzy feeling as we exited off for the RV park. I am happy to say I was wrong.  The truck traffic melted away to an empty road and surprisingly rural area where the Tom Sawyer RV Park was located on the banks of the mighty Mississippi.  We had a front row spot on the shores with a view of downtown Memphis in the distance.  We hunkered down for the next week watching the river and enjoying the company of our friends Jim and Liz.    Jack was in heaven sipping some Jack Daniels whiskey, smoking a cigar and watching the barges traverse the river all day and night.   Good friends, good wine and good steaks on the shores of a great river– doesn't get much better than this unless you count the full moon arising.

Graceland

Ok, I just had to see Graceland.  The boys stayed home while the girls visited the home of the King.   Yup, it is everything you would think, total tourist attraction but still fascinating all the same.   Thirty years later and they are still making a buck off this man.   Everything sure looks dated!

One cold and blustery day we headed to downtown Memphis and visited Mud Island.  Enjoyed the monorail ride and museum and the River Walk was pretty cool.  It is a scaled down version of the Mississippi River which you can walk from start to end.  In the summertime, you are allowed to walk in the water and I can just imagine seeing children playing and splashing. We walked around the downtown area and rode the trolley for a buck.  Nice job Memphis!

And of course, no visit to Memphis should be without a visit to Beale Street.   We headed out one night for dinner and blues.  We were a little disappointed with the ribs at Rendezvous, kinda of overcooked but had good time checking out some of clubs even if we were P.O.W.P ( pathetic old white people J).  All in all a good time but at last it was time to move on down the road and say our good byes.  Oh, and if you ever do stay at this park do take a walk around the grounds and look for the naked lady.

Amarillo to Arkansas - Sounds like a Country Song

Back on the word ( and rode) again after spending a week at home.  We spent the time getting the house shut down for winter and doing some vehicle maintenance.  We also got all duded up and did some dancing at the wedding of Howard and Nita.  It’s amazing what a little soap and water and good suit does for a man ;)   First stop the distant and exotic Moriarty, NM which is about 15 miles away from our house for bit of maintenance with the Excel RV dealer.   Okay, so now we are really on our way.  We spent the night in Amarillo, TX.  Just an over night-er, it is a good stopping place on I40.    We had a little incident there filling up the black beauty with diesel, somehow the charge for the person in front of us was also on the receipt. A half an hour later we were given the difference in cash.  Hmmm – so remember to always check your credit card receipts!

Traveling I40 or any interstate has its pros and cons.  They are usually flatter and faster and consequently more boring.   I popped on my head phones and left the driving to Jack.   One day of him talking to a brick wall and the decision was made to take some of the back roads of Oklahoma.   We stopped at Red Rock CanyonState Park the first night.  Jack and I have stayed here before and knew what to expect, it is nice stopping place not too far off I40.    The next day we headed down US 281 zigzagging our way to Robber’s Cave State Park.   I always like driving through the small towns and getting the feel of the places we drive through.    That does not happen travelling on the interstates that have the same chain restaurants and box stores.  No character.  I am not sure when in this country the decision was made that one size fits all.  So if we have the time taking the back roads is my preferred method.  You see interesting things like a giant beaver statue or replicas of the Statue of Liberty.  Dang - where is that camera?  You also have to wonder “who was this person that a road or town was named?”  And don’t forget the opportunity to taste the local cuisine.  Sure sometimes it is not what you expected but every once in awhile you stumble upon something really good.   Like the burgers we found in Stratford at McGees Café.

Hot Springs, AR

Robber’s Cave looks like it would be pretty spot to explore but we picked the wrong time.  They were gearing up for their Fall Festival.  Yikes! We just barely got a spot for the night.  We headed out early the next morning and continued  on  US 270 to Hot Springs, AR.  Very pretty drive!  The hills are rolling and the trees were just starting to turn crimson.   We had some time to kill and decided  to spend 5 days in in the Hot Springs area.  The Hot Springs National Park   located here is basically a row of historic  bath house in town and few scenic drives.  We enjoyed the down time and trees!  We plan on leaving  Oct 24th to meet up with  friends Jim and Liz Arnold fellow Excel RV owners to play Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn on the mighty Mississippi.

Hot Steam

We arrived in Pagosa Springs area on Thursday Oct 4^th.  We decided to stay at a  little RV Park recommended by our friends Jim and Liz.  We were not disappointed.  It was nestled on the Rio Blanca with full assortment of chickens, a pair of turkeys, and some pet ducks.  What a friendly and cozy place.   Friday night my daughter Emily and hubby JR meet us at the homestead.  We had a cook out and spent the night around a roaring campfire.   Perfect fall night!

Ok, all you Fall addicts you know what I am talking about - what we crave! Fall color in all its glory!  Jack and I spent the next four days taking some beautiful drives and walks.  I just love this area and even more so in autumn.   Everything a fall addict needs.  Oh, and don’t forget the hot springs!

Next it was our intention to head home for some commitments.   We stopped for lunch in Chama and decided we had a few extra days and stayed.  We took the famed Combres and Toltec narrow gauge steam engine train ride.  It does not disappoint and was spectacular with autumn color.  It was a little past peak but still enough color to please.  Chama is always charming and one of my favorite places to take a weekend jaunt in NM. 

We arrived home on Wednesday and spent the next few days closing down the house for the winter.  Jack did most of the work ;)   We plan on hitting the road again in a few days.

Big Days at Bayfield

We headed into Bayfield for the Fall Excel Rally on Thursday Sept. 27th .  It was only about 150 miles away but that turned into the longest 150 miles of the trip. Soon after we left Blanding we were headed up a hill and the truck stalled.  Hmm – what’s that about?  Luckily there was side road Jack was able to pull onto to get out of the way.  Still not quite sure what happened but we suspect it had something to do with the diesel oil filter.  Jack did his magic and we were on our way again.  We stopped in Cortez, CO for some needed groceries.    What would RVers do without Walmart parking lots? Just about Durango we needed to feed the diesel drinking black beauty.  Oh, that turned out to be quite stressful finding a gas station that the Biff II would fit.  Turned out we weren't going to make it under the canopy but we could pull close enough to the pump with the truck. We then backed out a bit and maneuvered our way without hitting anything. Whew!  Durango sure has grown and is quite congested – get us out of here quick! (See my post from last year for more about Durango)  So close but so far away, we were driving down Highway 160 and according to the Trailer Life guide the RV park was at mile marker 110 -  wait a minute Jack I think I see a bunch of Excels over there!  Turns out the RV park was at mile marker 101.  So down the road we go looking for a place to turn around.  All in all by the time we got to Bayfield we were worn out and ready to relax!

The next few days were spent socializing with fellow Excel owners and enjoying Heritage Days in Bayfield.   Highlights were the sheep drive and Tic Tac Sheep Plop contest.  Yes, it is what you think.   They also had a fun parade and a spectacular fireworks display Saturday night.  Campfires, socializing and election of new officers was on the agenda for the next few days.  Monday morning everyone pretty much cleared out and we were the only Excel left at the RV park.  Quick word about where we stayed -  Pine Riverside Park or Bayfield Riverside ( I have seen it under both names)  is a well taken care of park with very friendly staff.  We spent the next few days relaxing and exploring the area.  The weather has been perfect and the fall colors great!  Next stop only about 35 miles away in Pagosa Springs to meet up with my daughter Emily and her hubby JR.  

Capital Fun!

Our View 

The town of Torrey is at the junction of Highway 12 and 24.  It is a cute little town with a few motels and restaurants that thrive on the tourism of nearby Capital Reef NP.   We stayed at Thousand Lakes RV and watched the sunrise and sunset on the nearby cliffs.  What a view!  Nice place and they do a few extras that make it even more enjoyable.  You can order fresh baked muffins for the next morning or go to one of the nightly cookouts reasonably priced. 

I was impressed with the view at the RV park but was even more impressed with Capital Reef!   There are some very beautiful and unique rock formations and a peaceful idyllic river valley with fruit trees. They encourage you pick the fruit when in season.  Jack and I drove through the park one of the days and hiked around the next.    Just spectacular!  And do have a picnic in the valley and get some pie for desert at the in  pioneer house across the street.  Yummy!  There is also a campground in the NP that is large enough for RVs but we noticed it was full both days we were in the park.  

Well as much as we enjoyed this area it was time to go.  We are headed to the Excel RV club Fall Rally in Bayfield, CO.   We started heading east down Highway 24\95 on Wednesday.  We gave ourselves two days to take it slow.  Glad we did.   It was slow going although not as steep of a drive as it was from Bryce to Torrey. 

Capitol Reef Dome

Hog Springs 

 Soon after leaving Capital Reef the landscape changes to a very dry and barren moon-like environment.   Very eerie in some regards and desolate but if you keep driving it once again becomes very colorful and dramatic.   The cliffs turn dark red as opposed to the more orange red of the Bryce area.   And then it changes again to the more familiar pinyon pine and cedar lined landscape of southern Colorado\ northern New Mexico but with more dramatic vistas that go on and on and on.  You also cross over the mighty Colorado River and the northern edge of Lake Powell. This truly is one of the most impressive scenic drives in the lower 48.  But be warned it is a lonely landscape and very few places to pull over with an RV.   No restaurants or much of anything.  So be prepared to eat a picnic lunch at the only rest stop Hog Springs.  It is not a long drive mile wise but by the time we got to Blanding we were ready to stop and spend the night.  I told Jack I had scenic overload and needed to see something more mundane like the inside of the Biff II!

Bryce Just as Nice Twice

This is our second time around Bryce Canyon.  And have to say just as magnificent!  There are plenty of new areas to explore and some wonderful ones to revisit. The drive from the North Rim down is beautiful as well.  Once again we drove through the town of Kanab and thought I would like to spend time here someday exploring the area and once again we kept driving.  Oh Well – someday.

We stayed at a smaller RV park right on the very scenic Highway 12 between the Red Canyon State Park and the turn off for Bryce.  I liked it because I could ride my bike along the excellent bike path that runs parallel to Highway 12.  Very nice and I didn’t have to worry about being killed by passing autos.  Sweet! And across the street is a restaurant noted for its homemade pies.   Do stop at the Bryce Canyon Pines for the pie if in this area.  My jeans are tighter already.

Once in your life you have to see this place.  Bryce is very breathtaking with red red RED hoodoos and other rock  formations.  So colorful!  Take the drive around the park and if you have time, hike in the valley and canyon itself.    We did that hike last time and it is worth doing, this time we just did the ride around the rim. 

Equally beautiful (with fewer crowds) is the Red Canyon State Park sometimes referred to as mini Bryce.   Just as colorful but not on the grandiose scale of Bryce.   Jack and I took a great hike there and other than one lone mountain bicyclist and one small group of ATVs we had the place to ourselves the whole hike.  My kind of crowds.

We had planned on trying to visit some of the slot canyons in the nearby Escalante National Monument or Kodachrome Basin State Park.   Stopped at the visitor center just before Kodachrome and the ranger said most of the roads in Kodachrome were not passable due to recent rains.  She suggested going to the Hole in Rock Road and gave some suggestions for slot canyons to visit.   She said it was not too bad if on the washboard side.  Hmmm, well, my teeth are still chattering from the drive and we had decided about 5 miles or so into it that it was not worth it to subject the big black truck to this kind of abuse.  Only later did we realize we lost a hub cap along the way.  A $229 dollar hubcap, Jack was not too happy.  So unless you rent a jeep or have an old vehicle you may want to pass on this one. 

Our hike in Red  Rock Canyon

We left Bryce on Sunday and headed down highway 12.   Jack and I drove this road before as far as the town of Boulder.  Absolutely beautiful, do take the time to get coffee at Kiva Coffee House if for nothing else but the view.  Also stop at Calf Creek and the little museum in Boulder.   This time we were with the BiFF II and did not stop,  might be too tight for a big rig.    Jack was focusing on the road and although I enjoyed the drive it is a bit of white knuckle-ish pulling  a 7 ton 5^th wheel.    We drove the whole length of Highway 12 this time till it junctions with Highway 24 in the town of Torrey and our destination of Capital Reef National Park.  One incredibly beautiful drive!  Now some rest and relaxation for Jack!

Shores of Hell to the Rim of Heaven

We left Lake Powell on Monday morning back tracking a bit on Highway 89 South and then taking 89A to the North Rim.   It was a scenic drive and reminded me of northern NM overlooking the Rio Grande Gorge as we came down.  The pink cliffs of the Vermilion Cliffs National Monument were in the distance most of the drive.  We stopped along the way and ate lunch at one of the pullouts - what a view! 

The trees became larger as we climbed back up to the KaibabPlateau.  There are two campgrounds in Jacob Lake at junction for the North Rim.  One is private and has full hookups.  All of the National campgrounds in this area are dry camping. We decided to chance it and see if we could get into the North Rim campground.  It is a beautiful drive from Jacob Lake to the North Rim but I imagine it would be quite long if you planned on making Jacob Lake your home base.  I suggest only doing this in high season since your chances of getting into the two closer campgrounds would be slim.  Even this time of year the North Rim campground was full.  We did get into DeMotte which is about 4 miles outside the entrance.  It is quite pretty and nestled in the aspen trees.  They do have some pull thrus and back- ins large enough for big rigs.  Unfortunately our first choice was not one.  They decided to put a very large rock and ditch that impeded Jack’s ability to turn wide enough to back in.  Flashes of the Austin Power movie where he is caught in a tunnel trying to turn his golf cart around came to my mind.  We did end up deciding to try another site but not after smashing over the culvert a bit.

We spent the next few days enjoying and exploring the area.  There was evidence of forest fires and new aspen growth everywhere.  Some of the aspens were turning and the weather was perfect.  Warm in the day time but quite chilly at night.  Perfect campfire weather!   And of course the Grand Canyon! No other words are needed.  One night we went back near sunset and had dinner at the lodge.  It was quite the event with the decks filled with sightseers watching the sun color the cliffs.

All in all, the pace at the North Rim is slower and easier then the often over crowded South Rim.   Some say the views are not as spectacular as the South Rim but just as awe inspiring none the less.

On the Road Again!

It’s good to be back!  Hard to believe it has been almost a year.  This year is different, we decided to spend the summer at home doing some much needed home maintenance and enjoying the homestead.   We did take a few weekend trips around the beautiful state of New Mexico.  Oh, and we did get a new 5^th Wheel.  So here continues the adventures of Jack and Janet and the Biff II. 

We started our trip heading west on I40 with the Grand Canyon North Rim in mind.  Many times have I seen the sign for the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest off I40 and for whatever reason did not have the time to stop.   Just a few hours out of Albuquerque and we made this our first stop.    Be warned they have “Ranger Ravens” everywhere so you better do what the sign says.    Definitely worth stopping if you have the time although bear in mind it will be hot in the summertime! We spent the night in nearby Holbrook.

We continued on towards Flagstaff and turned onto Highway 89 north.  We saw a sign for the Sunset Crater and Wupatki National Monuments.   It turned out to be an unexpected surprise.  A very scenic drive that meanders north and loops back to US 89.  And if you are in the Flagstaff area it might worth spending a day hiking around some of the areas.  There is Bonito campground right in the area which looked big enough for the Biff but it is dry camping.  It did add about 30 miles onto the drive but we stopped and had picnic lunch along the way.   A group of Europeans on a motorcycle tour of the Southwest got the biggest kick out of the Biff II.   We even gave them a tour.

We decided to detour a bit and spend a few days at Lake Powell.  For my Midwestern and Eastern friends this is a man made desert lake with stark landscapes surrounded by high canyons.  In the summertime some have likened it to the shores of hell.   It is famed for renting houseboats and drifting along it's many shores and canyons.   It can be especially beautiful at sunset and at night the stars are wonderful.  Jack and I sat outside at night and watched the lake and stars.  One night we were treated to a fireworks show in the distance.  Just magical!

I suspect in the summer months the crowds would be large and even in middle September we just got the last RV site with hook-ups.   And it was pricey!  But if you are going to visit Lake Powell it is the only way to go.  Something else they do not mention when registering at the campground is the fact that you can have access to the hotel amenities including their two pools and gym.   I found out by chance at the hotel front desk when asking about Wifi access in the hotel.  So do stop and get an access card. 

We looked into renting a speed boat for the day but opted out, again very pricey.   We did take a three hour boat tour that took us through the famed Antelope Canyon (water side) and Navaho Canyon.   The Antelope slot canyon tour is on land and a separate tour.   We were going to do it as well but the crowds looked too much for us.  All this in three days! We left Monday and now we are truly off to the North Rim.