Today we spent the day enjoying Arches National Park in Utah. For a country that has high fuel prices I can not believe the amount of people and vehicles (especially rental RV's) that are on the road and visiting our National Parks.
The weather has been great. Not uncomfortable in any way. I'm even surprised that I've been doing so much walking and around 5000 feet and not winded ..
I'm so glad I got my brain back (never did find out where it went). Makes it more enjoyable.
I highly recommend when you travel remember not to drink the water. I know better, but drank a whole 1/3 cup of the campground water to take my medication. I didn't think it would hurt, after all the water is filtered coming into the travel trailer and out of the faucet.
It's not fun to get Montezuma's Revenge AND in a national park which has very few bathrooms and what they have are far and few between. And pit toliets.
I've sent out the link to the pictures of this beautiful place. In case you didn't get it, here it is again.
Pictures from Arches National Park.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Friday, May 9, 2008
Oddities
I looked online for weird things to see along our route. Maybe some not so weird but different. We stopped at our first Oddity today. Just south of Moab, UT on Hwy 191 is Hole N The Rock.
Click on the link above to read more and see pictures.
Pictures were not allowed inside the home which I believe was 5000 square feet. Started out as a diner for the miners. Hand built by the Christensen's.
Click on the link above to read more and see pictures.
Pictures were not allowed inside the home which I believe was 5000 square feet. Started out as a diner for the miners. Hand built by the Christensen's.
Monument Valley
I'm a big time Western Movie fan, so knowing we were going to Monument Valley was the best thing ever ... and seeing it in person was just like the movies only in color. Pictures just can't do justice. While looking at all the formations I started thinking that if Earth is still here many formations will either be gone or drastically changed. There is a rock slides every day some where and previous slides are quite obvious.
The drive through Monument Valley is gravel, and can be quite bumpy in areas, so empty your bladder before you start.
We camped across the highway at Gouldings Campground. There is a museum there which is housed inside the original building of the Gouldings Trading Post
Behind the museum was the building used in the film "She Wore A Yellow Rose" starring John Wayne.
I will upload more pictures to Picasa and share the link when ready.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Zion and Glen Canyon, NRA
Before I begin I must tell you my husband is a SAINT .. I really need to go to the ER cause I've lost my brains only don't know where.
I'll try to make this short but that isn't going to happen.
Travel time and road conditions just fine .. We left Lake Mead, NRA about 8:30, drove through the park and came out at Overton. Just as we reached Overton the Pressure Pro let us know it was there .. and one tire is reading 60 .. pulled over ASAP. Come to find out the monitor had come loose allowing air to leak out .. DH said it probably happened cause he didn't tighten it enough .. stopped just down the road a piece at a tire store .. all better.
Arrive at Zion NP without reservations .. NEVER EVER go to Zion without reservations. We get a spot but only good for 1 night (I wanted to stay for 2). They had 3 of us in a site big enough for 2. We were so close to the neighbor on the door side that when I fell out the door I used that rig for support.
Going through Zion on the way to Glen Canyon was in my plans so that we could go through the tunnel, then onto Glen Canyon .. Guess what? We can't go through the tunnel .. we are to long .. I SWEAR I did all my homework. I knew we were ok for height and width. No where did I read that there was a length restriction. Single vehicle can not be longer than 40' and combined vehicle can not be longer than 50' .. We can't turn around .. so we stayed .. Price was ok, electric only 18.00
30 amp service, our trailer uses 50 amp .. guess what DH says we don't have an adapter .. WHAT? We've been doing this for 4 years he should know better .. he rigged up something .. but only the AC would work .. no biggie we can use 12 volt .. then I remembered in my electrical box (I USED to be in charge of all electrical, just for this reason) I had an adapter .. sure enough .. now we are in business.
Zion is a hikers dream place .. we are not hikers. We took the free shuttle all the way to the end of the canyon (that had a road). Took lots of pictures through the windows of the shuttle and then got off at various stops and took more pictures.
We didn't bother to check if there was availabilty for the next night. Left and double back cause we can't go through the tunnel .. arrived at Wahweap campground, which is inside the Glen Canyon, NRA .. it's a full hookup campground .. GUESS WHAT .. they had a price hike since I checked it in April .. wen't from 34.00 a night to 43.00 .. see what I mean about losing my brain .. I never thought to ask them if they increase their prices as the season begins.
We are here, and it is beautiful. We have room all around us. At least we can breath.
We drove over to Antelope Point. It's a marina that leases their houseboats from Forever Resorts. Beautiful place, very modern.
On the way back to Wahweap we stop at the Glen Canyon Dam, I go to get out of the truck and trip .. I got tangled up in my GPS wires .. dropping one of my cameras .. it seemed to continue working. After I type this I will upload pictures.
Where is my brain? Not on my shoulders .. I cooked dinner tonight .. rice was part of the meal. I always add less water .. just a smidgen less .. called for 2 1/4 cups water .. I read the package 3 different times .. didn't want any mistakes .. so I put in 2 cups .. when the timer went off there was nothing but cooked rice floating in water. Drained off the water and said nothing to DH .. when we sat down to eat (lovely view from the picnic table) I told DH what happened then realized I had used the 2 cup measuring cup. Meaning I put in 4 cups of water. Said I need to go to the ER when we hit a major city cause I've lost my brain.
OH .. before we left our 12 volt ceiling fan stopped working which would make camping without hookups hard. Without the fan we can bring enough air into the bedroom cause we have no cross ventilation. After dinner tonight I open the vent and just for the heck of it turn it on .. and it works .. DH says maybe this is a sign of better things to happen to me.
Tomorrow is another day and we are off to Monument Valley .. I'm hoping for a much better day.
Our driving days have been short .. LOVE IT .. less than 150 miles a day. Makes for a nice time.
Here are a few pictures. Don't want to over whelm you.
I'll try to make this short but that isn't going to happen.
Travel time and road conditions just fine .. We left Lake Mead, NRA about 8:30, drove through the park and came out at Overton. Just as we reached Overton the Pressure Pro let us know it was there .. and one tire is reading 60 .. pulled over ASAP. Come to find out the monitor had come loose allowing air to leak out .. DH said it probably happened cause he didn't tighten it enough .. stopped just down the road a piece at a tire store .. all better.
Arrive at Zion NP without reservations .. NEVER EVER go to Zion without reservations. We get a spot but only good for 1 night (I wanted to stay for 2). They had 3 of us in a site big enough for 2. We were so close to the neighbor on the door side that when I fell out the door I used that rig for support.
Going through Zion on the way to Glen Canyon was in my plans so that we could go through the tunnel, then onto Glen Canyon .. Guess what? We can't go through the tunnel .. we are to long .. I SWEAR I did all my homework. I knew we were ok for height and width. No where did I read that there was a length restriction. Single vehicle can not be longer than 40' and combined vehicle can not be longer than 50' .. We can't turn around .. so we stayed .. Price was ok, electric only 18.00
30 amp service, our trailer uses 50 amp .. guess what DH says we don't have an adapter .. WHAT? We've been doing this for 4 years he should know better .. he rigged up something .. but only the AC would work .. no biggie we can use 12 volt .. then I remembered in my electrical box (I USED to be in charge of all electrical, just for this reason) I had an adapter .. sure enough .. now we are in business.
Zion is a hikers dream place .. we are not hikers. We took the free shuttle all the way to the end of the canyon (that had a road). Took lots of pictures through the windows of the shuttle and then got off at various stops and took more pictures.
We didn't bother to check if there was availabilty for the next night. Left and double back cause we can't go through the tunnel .. arrived at Wahweap campground, which is inside the Glen Canyon, NRA .. it's a full hookup campground .. GUESS WHAT .. they had a price hike since I checked it in April .. wen't from 34.00 a night to 43.00 .. see what I mean about losing my brain .. I never thought to ask them if they increase their prices as the season begins.
We are here, and it is beautiful. We have room all around us. At least we can breath.
We drove over to Antelope Point. It's a marina that leases their houseboats from Forever Resorts. Beautiful place, very modern.
On the way back to Wahweap we stop at the Glen Canyon Dam, I go to get out of the truck and trip .. I got tangled up in my GPS wires .. dropping one of my cameras .. it seemed to continue working. After I type this I will upload pictures.
Where is my brain? Not on my shoulders .. I cooked dinner tonight .. rice was part of the meal. I always add less water .. just a smidgen less .. called for 2 1/4 cups water .. I read the package 3 different times .. didn't want any mistakes .. so I put in 2 cups .. when the timer went off there was nothing but cooked rice floating in water. Drained off the water and said nothing to DH .. when we sat down to eat (lovely view from the picnic table) I told DH what happened then realized I had used the 2 cup measuring cup. Meaning I put in 4 cups of water. Said I need to go to the ER when we hit a major city cause I've lost my brain.
OH .. before we left our 12 volt ceiling fan stopped working which would make camping without hookups hard. Without the fan we can bring enough air into the bedroom cause we have no cross ventilation. After dinner tonight I open the vent and just for the heck of it turn it on .. and it works .. DH says maybe this is a sign of better things to happen to me.
Tomorrow is another day and we are off to Monument Valley .. I'm hoping for a much better day.
Our driving days have been short .. LOVE IT .. less than 150 miles a day. Makes for a nice time.
Here are a few pictures. Don't want to over whelm you.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
This IS not funny
If you are familiar with an RV you understand holding tanks .. such as black water and grey water.
Black is your stinky poo, gray is your shower and kitchen sink water .. there are gauges that you can look at to tell how full they are getting. For the most part the black water gauge (factory) never works right .. but you know when it's full. It begins to come up and meet you.
When the (in our case we have 2) shower gray tank gets full you'll be taking a shower and the shower water no longer drains. I know, ask DH. Got his butt out of bed at 1 am to pull the handle.
NOW in our case the kitchen sink gray tank gives you NO WARNING what so ever. No gurgle in the sink, the water doesn't back up into the sink .. want to know where it goes? All over the DANG floor. Under neath where for the most part you can't reach and then onto the floor you walk on and becomes soaked up by the carpet.
I know all this cause it just happened to me. It's not (oh how to word this) a defect. Well it is in the engineering. DH showed me on the piping for the washer outside in the shed. Some type of breathing vent hole ... You can be assured that the service center in Wildwood, FL will hear what I think about their lack of engineering.
I can't take the risk of this happening again, so as long as we are hooked up I will be leaving the kitchen sink valve open just enough that the water can trickle out.
I'm so glad we had gone to Lowe's and bought a Wet/Dry Shop Vac when we bought this trailer.
I don't know if I'm angry or pissed. Maybe they are the same thing.
It goes with the territory. Whether you own a home, a boat or an RV .. if it isn't one thing it's another .. it could have been worse.
Black is your stinky poo, gray is your shower and kitchen sink water .. there are gauges that you can look at to tell how full they are getting. For the most part the black water gauge (factory) never works right .. but you know when it's full. It begins to come up and meet you.
When the (in our case we have 2) shower gray tank gets full you'll be taking a shower and the shower water no longer drains. I know, ask DH. Got his butt out of bed at 1 am to pull the handle.
NOW in our case the kitchen sink gray tank gives you NO WARNING what so ever. No gurgle in the sink, the water doesn't back up into the sink .. want to know where it goes? All over the DANG floor. Under neath where for the most part you can't reach and then onto the floor you walk on and becomes soaked up by the carpet.
I know all this cause it just happened to me. It's not (oh how to word this) a defect. Well it is in the engineering. DH showed me on the piping for the washer outside in the shed. Some type of breathing vent hole ... You can be assured that the service center in Wildwood, FL will hear what I think about their lack of engineering.
I can't take the risk of this happening again, so as long as we are hooked up I will be leaving the kitchen sink valve open just enough that the water can trickle out.
I'm so glad we had gone to Lowe's and bought a Wet/Dry Shop Vac when we bought this trailer.
I don't know if I'm angry or pissed. Maybe they are the same thing.
It goes with the territory. Whether you own a home, a boat or an RV .. if it isn't one thing it's another .. it could have been worse.
Tomorrow is the big day
We are leaving Callville Bay tomorrow, Monday .. and with that I have mixed emotions .. I sure am looking forward to being on the road again.
I say we are going camping, others say we are RVing .. doesn't matter what you call it we will be on the road, seeing the sights as we head south.
Our wallet will get thiner and the fuel companies will get richer .. Oh well .. gotta do it.
We are ready to roll with the exception of those last minute things you can't do until "the last minute" ...
Looking forward to the adventure .. Stay tuned.
I say we are going camping, others say we are RVing .. doesn't matter what you call it we will be on the road, seeing the sights as we head south.
Our wallet will get thiner and the fuel companies will get richer .. Oh well .. gotta do it.
We are ready to roll with the exception of those last minute things you can't do until "the last minute" ...
Looking forward to the adventure .. Stay tuned.
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