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
