Trip #110 (41)
Sept. 23 – Oct. 7, 2020
First trip out after trailer raised 3 inches in the summer. Good thing.
Wed. Sept. 23 – Going to be a warm first three days at least, highs in mid 80s. First night at Angel Peak along 550, south Bloomfield. Always wondered what was off this road and it was a large badlands area, much like Bisti which is technically off to the west. After passing Envirotech, which processes contaminated soils (by simply letting them sit out in the sun and blowing all over everything); the road was very washboarded, like Chaco bumpy, which is no wonder since it’s the same neighborhood. All in all, it was pretty nice weather (in the shade). We took over a picnic site since the campground area was full and they were all about the same. Thankfully no one came along (it is wed afterall) so we had the nice covered picnic area to ourselves. Great overlook into the badland abyss. Quiet, very nice. Except the road, of course.
Thurs, 24, 25, 26 – Moving on to Natural Bridges overflow camping our fave spot out there. This will be our third time there. It was a gorgeous day, cool and fresh air (I remember that air) as we did some errands in Farmington. (We drove through parts of Bloomfield we hadn’t seen in a while, it wasn’t bad, I don’t remember the green farms.) Stopped at Walmart west and it was such a pleasant experience, being early in the am and it was pretty empty. Got a couple bags of Durango Joe’s and off we went toward Shiprock, like old times. Arrived at the CG, empty of course, but the road was much much rougher than either of us remember, so we bounced the shit out of the trailer, that extra three inches of clearance coming in handy. Dragged the hitch bars on the last ditch, so I of course would do some road building over the next few days. We took our usual spot in the trees, only to find out there was another guy deeper in the area. No biggie, we just didn’t know at first.
Thursday – Set up and took it easy on this first day. Enjoyed the shade of the allergy-triggering junipers and just hung out, beading actually, and wandering around the area.
Friday – Temps in low – mid 80s, not the best time to hike in Grand Gulch area to Moon House ruins, but we have the permits we need so off we go. First a stop at the Kane Gulch ranger station which is of course, closed due to Covid. Six mile drive to trailhead, and thankfully we took a chance to drive the last 1.5-ish mile tight, curvy, sandy, narrow, tilted drive to the closer parking area. I will be grateful for this later… Not a bad hike to get to the ruins, but it was easier when we did it as younger (and fitter, not fatter) people! There is one spot you have to get down then up a smooth cliff hanger without the aid of a rope or anything, as we both think there was last time. Anyway, made it up, walked around, and decided the hike isn’t really worth what you see! But we have seen a LOT of ruins. The uphill HOT walk out (85 – 90 degrees) was very hard for me and so glad we didn’t go the wrong way, cuz I didn’t have anything left if I had to backtrack.
Saturday – Noticed a sign for a “road 1” which goes down into the gulch so walked that back in, seems to be a cow trail One last look at Natural Bridges. A 9-mile drive around, not the most exciting but after the other day, I am not ready for more canyon hikes. We did one of them, to Sipapu natural bridge, but I refused to go all the way down as the temp got hotter, and I learn my lessons. Back at camp we got a new resident but they keep their distance.
Sunday, 27 – After much mulling whether to go east or west, we decided to head west toward Hanksville, Goblin Valley (full, couldn’t get a reservation) and town of Green River. Well what a nice, green surprise: Green River has grass! Went to Green River State Park, right in “town”, and really lucked out getting one last spot big enough for us: Host Spot #2, right up front, concrete pad surrounded with green grass. Water, elec and sewer, $35. Thrilling, after shuffling in dusty red sand for 3 days. First I had to finish an ad for AJC, then we took a drive north of town to see some camping along the river after you get through the melon farms (no thanks on that camping, road a bit wavy but ok), then went for a bike ride through the hood, then happy hour. I think there was one restaurant in town but we stayed in.
Monday, 28-30 – Next we have reservations for 3 nights at Dead Horse Point State Park outside Moab, about 30 miles away. Been here a few times but this time it appears the CG got some updating: elec and a dump station, and nice paving. Very nice. Spot #20. In reconfiguring the areas, they do seem to have all the picnic shelters way up and behind, or totally on the other side as in our case, from a trailer door. Oh well. And cool too. After setting up on a very slanted spot with a huge boulder behind us, to which we are about an inch away, I walked down to the visitor center, but no big deal there, came back empty handed. Nice and cool out, low 70s!! Did a rim hike to Shafer Point then cut back through the other newer CG. First night used the Dutch Oven for green chile pork. Had a campfire for the first time and watched a very bright egg-shaped moon.
Tuesday, 29 – Getting a late start, I’m writing this blog. We have a very weak signal here, but can actually, slowly, connect if we have to. Took a bike ride out to the point. Not in shape for this but didn’t have to walk it! Loosened up those lungs for sure, causing the coughing fit like Bill got in Natural Bridges. Then glided down the steep hill to the visitor center for a ride on their easy mountain bike trail. Our tushes aren’t ready for this so turned around as it was getting warm. And kind of stupid, why are we banging our brains out? Though it was fun 10 years ago... Took a drive over to Canyonlands NP visitor center (also packed, where are all these people coming from?) and out to point overlooking Green River. Checked out the campground there which is too small for our rig. Tonight is the first big debate between Trump and Biden. Can’t wait. We have the dish set up so can listen to the redundant political news all day (which is why all the excursions), hey you never know, maybe Biden will quit! Well that was sure an annoying argument of a debate.
Wednesday, 30 – OK OK let’s do Arches NP. Couldn’t bear the thought of driving 30 miles out and back when having to do it again tomorrow, but what the hell, we are here. OK, who opened the gate?? This whole area is swarming, bikers everywhere. And Arches even more so. We wanted to hike at the top in Devil’s Garden outside the CG but not a parking space to be had, so screw dat. And BTW, half of the US was represented on those license plates: TN, OR, CO, NM, SD, NV, FL, TX, WA, GA, WI, and more. Took a drive through the CG (hey, we could fit in here! #7, __31, 33), and did the hike off their loop to Tapestry Arch and Broken Arch. Just perfect enough for me, was getting warmer later in the day (1pm) and it was a slog through the very soft and fine red sand. Maybe 2 miles. As we drove the 17 miles back out of the park, the truck said it was 90 degrees out! WTH? Went into Moab (surprise, more traffic from more road construction at the north end of town, it was like this 10 years ago! This place is booming, and as we would see leaving, there are at least a half dozen more RV parks than the original 2 when we used to go here. Unbelievable). I digress. So, walked the main shopping drag, everything is super expensive, drove south to have lunch at Moab Brewery, finally found Milts for ice cream (which turned out to be an icky shake), then to City Market then home. Driving around in search of Milts did show us how much of a residential area Moab has, you don’t think that when you just see bikes and dirty cars everywhere
Thursday, Oct. 1 – Left Dead Horse Point by 10am after hooking up in a more difficult situation. The site was so uphill it took putting the truck’s front wheels on orange lifts and taking a bolt out of the hitch to tilt it to be able to hook up. All this with a giant boulder one inch behind us, so no ramming allowed. Finally got it in after a couple of tries. Drove back through a still busy Moab, stopping for water at the rest stop near hole in the wall, just filling the two containers, no place to fill the trailer. Took a new route going toward Telluride, Hwy 64 at La Sal Junction, going through the Paradox valley. Very beautiful with some steep but fine passes. Wow, the Norwood Hill, 2 miles curving downward. Stopped for lunch alongside the tree-covered Norwood Cemetery, after which we noticed farm after farm flying Trump flags, nice to see! Another nice surprise was that it was the height of the leaf season through here, the golden aspens just glowing the the backlight making a stop at the overlook a must. No reservations for this one night, but hoping for something along this Hwy 145, and what do you know, Matterhorn cg has availability. Been here once or twice before on Telluride trips. Got a non-elec site #4 along the road and creek, and took off on a short hike up into the aspen hillside. OK, it’s still hot & 72 in the sun, so we headed back along the more shady road, though it is much cooler in our shady spot, windbreaker cool. Happy hour and the first game of cornhole, man that is noisy, hand feeding the two camp robbers, posole, Quinn and reading. Oh, and watched the full moon rise over the mountain (from inside of course) at 9pm. By then it was 45 degrees, I suggested it might freeze tonight. Of course Bill said no, and of course it was 26 degrees overnight. Yeah ok. And 39 degrees inside! The most blankets we ever had, but it worked. The furnace was running but Bill said he messed up the digital panel so I heard a lot of beeping over there. No matter, blankets worked.
Thursday, Oct. 2 – Drove down Hwy 145 through Dolores, always a pretty drive and not as harrowing as Red Mountain Pass with a trailer. Didn’t use the dish last night so the big news this AM was that Trump and Melania are positive for covid. Stopped in town to finally get a signal and try to figure out of Mesa Verde is a possibility. A website and a phone call and still no definite answer, so we will just go and find out ourselves. Went to the Cortez city complex to dump and get water (for a quarter!), like old times! Then a stop at Walmart and finally we arrive at Mesa Verde. The visitor building is of course closed like all the rest except for the gift shop, but they have left open one loop, Zuni, and we hope to be able to get a spot, tho the gal on the phone said she knows nothing specific. Web says 25’ max in size. ALL BULLSH*T! The place was pretty full but we found a spot—then found another and moved to #75, with shade. Was panicked that we would lose a single spot so took the first one we saw in the middle of a treeless crammed area near the village, so had to re-hookup and move. Oh well, but it was sure worth it, much quieter on this side. So, later in the day now so picked the short hike called Knife Edge off the CG area, used to be the former entrance to the park. Hence the amazing view! Nice flat 2 mile hike along the front edge, loved it, and even better – an LTE signal. The walk TO the hike was almost a mile so ended up walking about 5 miles. So much for a short hike! Dinner ended up being the chips and salsa we pounded down during happy hour. That and the late lunch when we got here. So dinner was frozed egg rolls, so healthy. There has been a lot of questionable eating this trip… drunked peaches & ice cream for dessert, Mr. Oreos, my bagels… not any amount of biking or walking or hiking can erase what we do after 5 pm!! Ugh. We are bad, yes.
Saturday, Oct. 3 – Park day. Hate the long drives here but gotta do it as all the good ruins are down to the south. (for some reason they didn’t feel as long this time, maybe cuz we started 4 miles in at CG) Took the bikes to ride around the 6 mile loop, great way to do this, enjoyed it, tho it got nice and warm 83 degrees by the time we were done. Finished it off in the truck stopping at various site, including the 2 mile walk and back to another soda canyon? overlook. Talked to 2 young guys from Indiana and they like half the country are out trying to hit as many NPs as possible, they drove thru Durango at midnight, meaning they did Red Mountain Pass in the dark! Oh to be young and dumb! They were also in line at the Ute area for fry bread, they got the last one. And ours was pretty good I must say, fresh oil I guess. Anyway, did as much as possible, and finished with a drive to the amphitheatre only to find a 2bar lte signal there, glad I forced my driver to comply, always the challenge. Beautiful night, blue skies were back today, yday they were hazy and had smoke, couldn’t see the LaPlatas. Still couldn’t see much but no clouds over us. Burger night, another walk around the CG and it is full, mostly California, wondering if they are all house shopping. I will pay attention in Durango to plates. Found out Geislers will be a day late, she cracked a molar, ugh. I know that pain.
Sunday, Oct. 4 – Nice day for a short drive over the mountain to Durango, United RV CG north of town. The weird lady went on and on explaining why she can’t put us up in the nice area ad keep us together so we went where she put us: full sun on rocks. Horrible site on the lower end. I wouldn’t have it. I told Bill to wait, I’m going back to get a better site. And I did. I figure I can walk over to the Gieslers rather than be together in the desert. Turns out a coach showed up next to us for just one day, let’s see if they will hold it as the G’s will be here by 1pm tomorrow. So after doing some laundry and setting up some appointments, we took my bike to the 2nd Ave bike shop for an adjustment, which took 2.5 minutes. Walked Main and had Brunos meet us early for a drink before dinner cuz we scored a booth at The Office. Dined at new place Switchback, very good, new twist on Mexican. Good time catching up.
Monday, Oct. 5 – Cool morning, was 35 last night but didn’t feel like it. 9am but still a bit cool to take a bike ride, 57 degrees. Is it too cool to ride now? Hmmm got to be at Nancy and Brian’s at 11 am for lunch at TBD. Giesler’s arrived later in the day, went to Tequilas for dinner.
Tuesday, Oct. 6 – Bike ride to town while Giesler’s hiked. Dinner at Serious Texas, played a couple rounds of Kibbie.
Wednesday, Oct. 7 – Headed home
RIP: Eddie Van Halen, Johnny Nash, Kevin Burns (Oak Island), Trump gets Covid, diagnosis for Bongino
