Weather...or not!

The weather has been bizarre and, though not violent, there seems to be a something ominous going on out here.  It's making me wary.

Here is a photo of a perfect day in Springville, UT where I hung out for 7 days so that two threatening weather fronts could pass out of the areas where I was headed-northern Utah and SE Wyoming.  But, within hours of this photo, the storms were so nasty I brought my slides in, like a turtle withdrawing inside its shell.

Friday, I traveled out of the Salt Lake City area into a temporary weather clearing, aware that another low pressure was going to hit sometime on Saturday for the next 3 days--bad news for people with Memorial Day plans.   

I boondocked in a truckers' lot between the Comfort Inn (decent wifi signal) and a business establishment named Romantix "Your Pleasure is our Passion"-a popular gathering place for truckers to rest and engage in some fantasy.  Great spot--I did not peek my head out so it was assumed I was parked for the fantasy and was not bothered.
 
I have been keeping a very close eye on the weather, as it is, to some extent, defining my trip.  I see engorged streams overflowing their banks as I drive.  Submerged grasses and partially submerged trees--nature has created ponds where there were none before.  Water gushes in torrents and in some places, the swollen creeks threaten to overtake the roadways. 

 On Saturday, weather dot com predicted that Yellowstone NP would get up to 15" of snow on Sun/Mon.  Eek!  This was where I planned to be on Monday!

Hmmmm...I said.  I need to detour and hide out in the valley for a couple days.    

The drive over the Teton Pass-with hazard flashers on all the way up the 10% steep grade-was slow and gorgeous--sunny and mild even at that high elevation.

There appeared to be a ski mountain that had no chair lifts and probably only accessible by helicopter.  See the ski tracks?

  

As I crossed the Teton Pass and descended into the valley, I saw a King of a Bull Moose! Moose are pretty elusive creatures, hanging out in weedy creek pools in the early morning and then disappearing until twiglight.  This Badboy was out in the open in mid-afternoon just munching and watching the hiway.  I saw this mammoth hulk from "way back" but couldn't tell if it was a bear or a huge elk (since this is also elk territory).   



I slid to a stop, hit the Flashers, grabbed my camera and watched him munch.   Made a few moose noises to get him to raise his head up but I guess I wasn't sufficiently moose-like in my vocals.   He had an incredible antler span of maybe 4'.  Actually, I passed within a few miles of a town named Moose, WY and, Wyoming is the 3rd most populous state for moose after Alaska and Maine, so I probably should not have been so surprised.  But, it's kind of like baggin' your first grizzly--it is so exciting to my Inner Mountain Woman!

So, here I am in Teton Valley in a campground just over the Teton Pass in Victor ID.

There is a large meadow adjacent to the campground where dogs are allowed to run free--Oh Happy Days!

It is now Sunday morning and, at this very minute, (as predicted) it is snowing buckets and is quite beautiful.  Cassie and I are having our morning cuppa joe in front of my fireplace heater and are quite cozy.


At some point, the dog needs to "go" so I bundled up in my fleece-lined booties and gloves and opened the door of the RV for Cassie to jump out.  She actually had a question mark hovering over her head as she looked back up at me when she saw the white stuff.  But, I encouraged her out and she took the leap of faith.  

Soon, she embraced her Inner SledDog and raced around in excited circles through the snow in a fashion reminiscent of post-bath "crazy dog" and got completely soaked.  She is smiling in this photo.

Here is a photo of us after I gave her a partial "snow bath" to wash off some of the debris she "snowplowed" up and squiggled in.  ("Squiggling" and "wiggling" are related but squiggling is more of a motion where the top half goes east as the bottom half goes west.)


Upon arrival at my campground,  and a nice man helped me park my rig.  We chatted a few and I took Cassie out into a big open field so she could run off-leash.  The man soon returned.  He asked me if I wanted to go into town for "a burger and a beer" the main diet of people who live in Victor.  And, I agreed.  

We went to a place called the Grumpy's Goat Shack "We have the Biggest Weenies & the Hottest Buns in Town!".   Here is a link about the goats. 
Goats and Related Stuff
 

It is housed in a small garage with 6 barstools and  an assortment of attractive size 5 thongs and bras plasters the ceiling.  (Apparently, there was a house rule that underwear was not permitted and was collected at the door and displayed from the ceiling.)  The Soup of the Day was always...a drink.  Today's soup selection was margaritas.  

Most seating was outdoors with an outside fireplace and goats behind the shed awaiting restaurant patron handouts.  In the warm sunshine with the majestic Tetons gleaming in the background, I had a lovely time eating Meat and Hot Food and drinking wine with my new friend, Kent.  I took a couple pics but you might find this hard to believe--I accidentally erased them from my camera and had to get these pics from the ole goat's website!  I was shocked.  This never happens.  It must be the altitude...

Kent asked me to be his guest at the Memorial Day Staff picnic and of course, I said OK.  He is a fulltime Workkamper and goes wherever there is work and good weather.  And then he started telling me stories--Workkampers always have many good stories-made even better with Goats do Roam South African Red wine!  So, this is shaping up to be a very interesting little side trip!

Kodachrome and the Canyon

I had maybe 30 seconds of pale sunlight in Kodachrome Basin State Park so the colorfulness that I expected just wasn't there and it was a bit disappointing.    

It did have some rather odd looking rock formations.

 

By the time I arrived at Bryce around 2:30p, the sun was brightly illuminating the Red Canyon adjacent to Bryce.

First thing I learned was that Bryce was not a true canyon--this is what the newspaper "The Hoodoo" says:

"What is Bryce Canyon? Words confound when no comparable exists.  A cave without a ceiling? A forest of stone? Even 'canyon' is misleading since Bryce is carved by freeze-thaw cycles, not a river."

Here's a short video of the canyons; the music is nice, too.

SueTube - Bryce Canyon UT
 

Getting around was simple; a trolley bus stopped at the campground every 15 minutes, deposited you at one of the viewpoints, and another trolley picked you up 15 minutes later.  The driver who deposited my bus riders recommended a hike and said the park had just built an elevator for the mobility impaired.  I thought he sounded serious...

I had already decided that this time, I was gonna take a hike!  On past trips with Frank, hiking was out of the question but many unusual sights and experiences are only available by getting off the main path.

So I decided on Diablo's Loop Trail, described as "Moderate" exertion level with extreme slope and hoped my fake hip wouldn't mind too much.

And besides, there was that new elevator to whisk you back up!


It was a 1.3 mile hoof which means over a half mile DOWN and UP!

Happily, off I go!  Looks pretty easy, right?  I look pretty relaxed, yes?


On the way down, I noted with interest how very out of condition everyone appeared to be as they were making the climb back up from this non-canyon hell-hole!  Ha--I thought, I'm not THAT bad off!

And, why didn't they just take the elevator?

The base of this rock hole was really neat and it had trees growing.   But, this is not the place to be if you are claustrophobic!


Later, I would eat my words big time!   There was NO elevator!  I  happened to have a trolley driver with a wicked sense of humor.

The climb back up was severely inclined on a very uneven walking surface.  And, at the altitude, the oxygen was only 70% of the content at sea level.


Thought I was gonna DIE!

Met many fellow sufferers and we all commiserated and had photo-setup sessions along the route back.  The park really should have posted more cautionary signage both about claustrophobia and oxygen deprivation.


By the evening my entire body was screaming in agony!  Curiously, my hip was OK.  Couldn't sleep and finally took a couple knockout pills.


Here's a video I made on the hike 
‬‏SueTube - ‪Bryce Canyon UT Hike‬‏

Leaving Bryce, I took another Scenic Hiwy 12; a loop around the big canyon basin in this area.  I had a gorgeous drive out the next day.

"Look Ma- No Guardrails!"

Finally, descended into the valley and back to green stuff!


As you know, I was going on to Capitol Reef National Park which was the end of the "canyon loop" but the weather changed my mind.


However, I am very happy with the tour I had; it was everything I had hoped!

I am hunkered down south of Provo, UT waiting for the 2nd bad weather front to pass out of my path this week so I can continue on to Grand Teton NP and Yellowstone NP. 

It was amazingly gorgeous yesterday and everyone was outdoors!

Snowbound!

This is a "realtime" post from Springlake, UT just south of Provo.  I'm posting ahead the blog about my canyon visit.

Rewind to my exit out of the canyons into Torrey, UT which is the gateway community to Capitol Reef National Park.  It was sunny and mild in the canyons but, by the time I arrived in Torrey, the weather began to get nasty and freezing cold.  So, I decided to get a campground for the night.  It was a farm converted into a "horse camp" and I had a horses about 50 ft away (you can just see part of horse in the next photo). 

With internet access and TV, I learned that the weather was going to get much worse...and stay that way for a long time.  

So, I decided to decide in the morning whether or not to venture into the National Park for a quick peek and then skeedaddle. 

Well, it was not a hard decision as I awoke in the early AM hours with snowballs and hail banging on my roof.  And, at daylight, this was the view out my RV.

It was REALLY COLD and I was glad I had my little fireplace heater with me.


The weather forecasts became more dire and the current day (Weds) was going to be the best until it cleared (maybe) on Saturday for one day.  So, I decided to get out of the bush and head for Salt Lake City.   Otherwise, I would be stuck in "nowhere Torrey" with the ridiculously exhorbitant RV park rates due to their proximity to Capitol Reef NP.

Here is the road shortly after leaving Torrey, UT

And further...

and at the summit around 8400 ft...

and here are my white knuckles during the long 8% grade descent... (usual grades are 5-7%)


I guess I don't have to say that I was scared *less!

All I wanted by the time I got off the mountain was a stiff drink.  Unfortunately, I still had more driving to do back into civilization.  I spent the night at the Cracker Barrel in Springlake, UT.  I was outta wine.

While there, I realized I was going to have to drastically change my travel plans as northern Utah (my next travel route) was almost impassible until Sat.  Indeed, this entire area, including SW Wyoming (Teton & Yellowstone) was socked in with rain and snow for at least the next week.  There was talk of flooding in Salt Lake City on the news.

Now, I am in a campground called East Bay RV Park in Springlake UT with Cable TV, Wifi, lending library of books and DVD's.  It backs up to the mountains which you can't even see because of the low-hanging clouds.

Oh, and I finally hit the rarely found State Utah Liquor & Wine Store and replenished my spirits.  (It looks like a LOT more than there really is because of the mirror).

Rousted in Flagstaff!

It was a very pleasant drive day across New Mexico headed for Flagstaff AZ for my "turn north".

I love the west with the Indian casinos everywhere;  most now have RV parks on their property and will practically give away your RV site to get you into the casino.  So, I was compelled to go get a Dancing Eagle Player's Card and play video poker so I could get my site half off-$10!   Additionally, they give me a voucher for $10 worth of fuel, so the cost was a wash.

Arrived Flagstaff in the evening, having driven a very long day to make up some time I lost.  I have never liked Flagstaff; they are not RV friendly at all.  None of the Walmarts permit you to stay overnight and the Cracker Barrel does not even have RV/Bus parking!  (This is reportedly because of the active political involvement of local RV parks because it is a "touristy" area-they demand their $50 camping fee!)  So, I knew it was going to be a challenge going "stealth" for the night.   And, it was.  

I found what I thought was an independent parking lot adjacent to a shopping mall.   I found out otherwise when I awoke to a male voice calling "Hello", knocking on my RV and a flashing red light!  Not to mention Cassie barking her fool head off!  He was quite good looking and very polite.  We had a nice chat through the window and he told me how much his job sucked and that his boss would fire him if he didn't make me move.   He told me where to park nearby.  So, now I don't hate Flagstaff as much.

The drive up 89 north leaving Flagstaff was perfect--weather great and no traffic.  Turned into a pullout to walk Cassie and met two guys there that had a flat tire on their boat.  I hung out while they worked and they were familiar with the area I was headed so they gave me some suggestions.

Stopped at the Glen Canyon Dam before leaving Arizona behind and it was shut-my-mouth awesome!

My next campground was a Passport that was a "church" camp back in the boonies where retreats are held.  

I was not expecting to travel 2 miles on a poorly-signed gravel road off the main road back into the bush!   However, it was a really nice camp with modern amenities including wifi.  However, I could not get even one TV station!   They had a very large shower room so I took Cassie in with me for a shower since she found some deer poop to roll in.  There was a herd of deer that "hung out" in the campground.  I stayed for 2 nights instead of just one because the wind was ferocious.


On the day I left camp, I planned to take a Scenic Hiway 14 to Cedar Breaks (which is a little like a mini Bryce Canyon except some say it is even more colorful).  However, I had failed to note that Utah is not yet "totally open" in mid-May; in fact, I am about a week or two early for their season.  Soon after getting on the road and began to go up the mountain, I saw snow.  And then More Snow.  One of my stops was to be Navajo Lake--it was frozen over.  I made the turn on the road to the lake and there, facing me in a big snowdrift was a snowplow and no more road.  So, I had a make a U-we.

I had a feeling which was soon validated--the road to Cedar Breaks was closed.  


I had to turn back...


But, before I did, a car rolled into the clearing I was parked on.  It was two elderly folks who were looking for a Visitor Center to use the facilities.  But, everything was still closed!  She explained she was on water pills.  I offered my bathroom in the rig and they both used it and we had a nice chat.  

He took a photo of me 'n Cassie.

I headed back over the mountain and found a nice spot for lunch overlooking a lake. 


Next stop--Bryce Canyon National Park.

The Tuna Connection

Can't miss the Edgewood, NM connection to visit the Tuna Family--Richard (Tuna), Laura, Theresa and Christopher.   

Tuna is a nickname from way back in Key West, where he fished and did what the crazy Conks do.  He and Laura met and married "late" in life and started a new family together.

 They always welcome me with open arms and even Theresa kicks up a fuss at having to go to school when she really wants to stay home and visit with Aunt Sue.  

Christopher could give a hoot who Aunt Sue is but still whispers my name.  His favorite thing is draping across Dad's lap and having his po-po patted.

On arrival, Tuna tried to get me hooked up to household 15amp so I could keep my fridge/lights on.  Put on my dogbone adapter and it blew a circuit.  Tried another outlet--blew that one too!  Tried another adapter.  No go.  Hmmmm.....looks like there is more to the RV electric story.  

So, Tuna went and got a 30 amp fuse and installed it in his fusebox.  Plugged it in and Whammm!  Big POP!  Poor Tuna!  Poor Me!  So, we cried Uncle and I emptied my fridge and got my flashlight out.  

While in Albuquerque, Tuna suggested I take the RV to the big Forest River dealer there that he had dealt with--Myers RV.  I gave them 3 things on my Honey Do List.  They fixed my biggest headache which was my dump valve.  It was not closing properly, permitting waste to accumulate behind the end cap.  Of course, when I removed the end cap...Whoosh/Splat..you can guess some of the words I used...  Under warranty--cost $0.  Soap to wash out my mouth--$.79.

I also asked them to check out the electric and they said electric is fine but my microwave didn't work (it worked before so that must have been the Big Pop).  No biggie--I don't use the microwave THAT much (oatmeal and popcorn).  However, oatmeal and popcorn is a significant proportion of my diet, so I stopped at Walmart and got a mini which I will return when I get back and let the dealer handle the microwave under warranty.   Temporary cost $50.

Third thing was I couldn't get cable TV.  Unlike every other RV I have ever owned, when the cable is connected, it substitutes for the antenna source.   This one had to be reconfigured in the TV setup menu!  Cost me $50.  I felt better when the tech showing me how to do it said HE had trouble figuring it out.

So, like every other RV I have owned, I am spending the "first year" fixing the stuff that should have been done right by the factory in the first place!

While my RV was in the shop, I had the whole living room, the TV and a queen aerobed for myself (except when the kids were using the bed as a trampoline).  Cassie was not a happy camper; those of you who know Cassie know she is not good around children and she is becoming grumpier with age in general.

While there, Tuna took me to a wonderful Mexican restaurant in Old Town in downtown Albuquerque.  It was the Church Street Cafe and we sat in the outdoor dining area under shade trees and a nearby water fountain and birds standing by for bits of tortillas. 

I had a great time visiting; Laura was off work with a sinus infection so I got to visit with her more than usual.  

Tuna treated me to a visit to his art studio so I could see the paintings he has done since my last visit.   His subject matter is Native American spiritual.

I love hearing him relate his inspirations for his paintings.  He gifted me with one of his works; which I especially admired from last year.  It is of a Warrior Angel who has fallen in battle and is dying.   Richard, thank you SO much for this wonderful piece which I have admired from the first time I saw it! 

Finally, the New Mexico HellWinds died down, RV came out of the shop, Tuna's electric system in ruins, and aerobed deflated and repacked, I departed for points west.   This is Theresa waving goodbye as she scoots to catch her bus.