Spring Trip 2018

Spring Trip 2018

Day 1 March 18, 2018

We left home at around 9am. We are on the way for another 2months of adventure in the USA !  Since we were out of propane we stopped by Deer Creek and filled up with 31 gallons.  We took I-5 south into Oregon.  Half way down I-205 there was an accident that held  up traffic for a while.   Stopped several times for bathroom breaks, lunch and fuel.   We ended up spending the night at Rice Hill RV park space 15.  We are now in northern CA.   Nice drive with mostly overcast sky with no wind and no real traffic problems other than the accident.

Day 2  March 19, 2018

Left the RV park and continued south on I-5.  Drove through the Siskiyou Mts without any problems.  Not a lot of snow around.  Mt. Shasta was beautiful covered with snow. 

  Spent the night at Green Acres RV park space 29.  This is a very nice place.   Tried to check out hot water heater and can’t make it work.  Will try to see someone tomorrow to fix it.  Also, when Judy tried to ignite the gas range top, the igniters did not work.  Drat!!  We had a nice dinner.

Day 3 March 20, 2018

After breakfast, checked the fuse for the hot water heater tank and found it was blown.  Replaced it and the range top worked and the hot water heater started.  Continued driving south on I-5 then onto 99 just south of Sacramento.  A little stop and go traffic on 99.   Light rain off and on in the morning then steady light rain later in the afternoon.  Spent the night at Dephi, Merced River RV Resort space A22.  No hot water to do dishes from the hot water heater.  Will need to have a pro look at it later.

Day 4 March 21, 2018

Whew what a day’s drive.  Left Dephi and continued south on 99.  Misty rain during all the drive and occasional heavy rain during the day.  Freeway in very bad shape in many places and coupled with the rain and congested traffic made the trip harder than it should be.  We got onto I-5 and then onto I-210.  Well twice onto I-210 as the road was under construction and the directions were not good on how to stay on  I-210 so we had to find our way back onto the freeway.  GPS!! YES.   Spent the night at Walmart off exit 35A.  Ate dinner at a local, across the street, Mexican restaurant.  Stopped raining when we got to Walmart. 

Day 5 March 22, 2018

Left Walmart in Duarte and continued on I-210.  Some rain until we got onto I-10 and over the hills into eastern California and the temperature rose to 87 degree from around 70.   Finally turned on the air conditioning.   Continued on I-10 to loop 101 north in Phoenix area turning off at Grand Ave (aka US-60).   We drove a few hundred yards to Valley of the Sun RV park taking space 17.  We both went to get a shower.  AAAhHHHH!!!.  Laurie and Andy came to greet us.  Andy checked out the water heater.  It seemed to be working.  We went out to dinner at a Mexican restaurant.  Very goods great to be with our good friends…lots of chat…  Got back home and there seemed to be hot water.  Went to bed early.

Day 6 March 23

After scrambled eggs and sausage, we went to see Andy and Laurie’s house and their sewer problems.  Their house is very nice and bright with lots of white.  Andy was golfing so Laurie and Judy and I went out to a bunch of thrift shops and touring the area.  You would not believe how many there are.   For dinner, we had wonderful taco salads at Laurie’s father’s apartment at an assisted living place.  Played hand and foot card game with an inadequate amount of cards and the guys won.   (again…BOOO!)  Got home around eleven and went to bed.  It cools off after the sun goes, so, great sleeping)

Day 7 March 24, 2018

Met Laurie and Andy at their house.  We saw the workers jackhammering the floor to remove the concrete to get to the rotten sewer pipe.  Lots of work.   It will take a while to get it all dug up and new sewer pipe installed.  We went out to multiple garage sales.  I swear there is a garage sale on just about every block.  I think it is a required part of the social atmosphere here.  We went to one of the recreational centers here in Sun City.  It is impressive as to how nice they are and the multitude of activities available.  There is a club for just about any activity or hobby you have.  The wood shop was well stocked with all kinds of wood working equipment and everything was clean and spotless. 

A look at inside one of the wood shops.

The jewelry/lapidary area had everything that a jewelry maker and rock hound lapidary would need.  All the equipment was well kept and clean.  The whole building, swimming pool, indoor walking track and weight room are clean and modern.

Three happy souls, Richard Judy and Andy.  Walking track behind us.

A look from inside on the walking track on the pool area.

We are impressed as to how well the Sun City town and rec centers are kept up.  Laurie and Andy said all the centers are the same. At 7:24 the international space station flew over our area.  Lucky the sky was clear.

International space station over Peoria and Sun City.

Day 8 March 25, 2018

We had a leisurely morning reading and watching a crazy opera on PBS.  I tried to figure out why hot water was not getting to the kitchen and bathroom.  Checked where the water pump was and all valves seem to be ok.  Checked the water distribution system and all seemed in order.   I remembered the outside water faucets had been turned on to drain the system so turned them off.  Well for some reason this was the cause of our problem.  Went inside and we got hot water to kitchen and bath. Someday I will try and figure out why this solved the problem.  Some piping irregularity.  After lunch we went to Walmart to get a few things.  I took a shower then we headed off to Laurie and Andy’s who took us to a free country and western concert in the Sun Bowl in Sun City. There were lots of people. The band played songs along with the musical history from the beginning up to the present.   The band was good and the temperature was still warm at 9pm..  After the concert we went to DQ and had ice cream.

Day 9 March 26

Judy and Laurie went “shopping” at thrift stores.  I went to check out a rock hounding place near Lake Pleasant north of here where geodes were supposed to be plentiful.  Well the directions were not quite right.  Spent an hour or so with two guys from Colorado familiar with the area who tried to figure out where to go.  The apparent way was through a wash which is now impossible to get across.  I decided to check out another spot to get apache tears which is south of Aquila on highway 60.  Found some but appeared to be well picked over since it was close enough to Quartzite where hundreds of people have pick the area clean for years.  Went back home past the Vulture mine, at one time one of the biggest in AZ.  I got home just after Judy.  She showed me her finds for the day.

Day 10  March 27, 2018

We picked up Laurie and Andy and headed for the Apache tear beds.  We found a few and some chalcedony roses and a few broken geodes.  Judy and Laurie quit while Andy and I were still looking.  They were standing by the road when a man and woman stopped who were from Kalispell, MT.  They told us about another area further down the road.  The area we were at was hilly with short shrubs and saguaro cacti.

Rock hounding site just south of Aguila.

Andy looking for Apache tears

We found lots of Apache tears and desert roses.  We headed back to Sun City past the Vulture mine to Wickenburg. We all had a great time and was fun to see Laurie and Andy enjoying themselves.  We went to a car wash to give Goldie a bat

In the car wash.

h.  She really enjoyed it but the machine took off the tire cover. Back in Sun City we went to the rec center and went for a swim, hot tub and shower.  Boy did that feel good.  We went out to eat at a Mexican restaurant.  Great day.

Day 11 March 28, 2018

Slept in late.   We found the nearest post office so we could send some packages.   I sent some rocks we found yesterday to Jim of the rock club for the silent auction at the next meeting.   We went to Target to find a case for our cell phones.  None there but the guy suggested the Arrowhead mall.  Since Judy still has not found the perfect summer dress so we went to the big mall.  None of the booths had cases for our phone.  Ate lunch at Panda Express.  Then we went to several stores checking out dresses.  Not much available in short sleeve casual.  Finally found one, yeah.  Had some homemade, by Judy, Italian soup for dinner which we brought from home. Yummm! 

Day 12 March 29, 2018

Slept in a bit.  After breakfast we decided we had to do some laundry here at the RV park.  Got that done.  Also, swept and vacuumed the motorhome.  Straightened up the place for visitors for dinner.  Pre-made as much of the fish and rice dinner as we could.  Andy and Laurie came for dinner.  After dinner we played hand and foot card game.  The guys won.  (again)  We had a very good time.

Day 13 March 30

We had a man come to check out the hot water tank to see if it was working right.  He told us how the hot water system worked and all the parts.  He said no one dilutes the hot water coming out of the tank.  He suggested the trouble we have in the shower with the water being too hot or too cold may be that the faucet is old.  Well after he left I took the faucet apart and found each stem had four “o” rings.  Went to Home Depot and got some new ones.  Put it all together and it seems to work better.  Will see when we take a shower.  Andy and Laurie came to pick us up for dinner.  They are taking us to a Mexican restaurant recommended by one of the men working on their house.  It was very good.  I had shrimp and Judy had fish as in whole fish with head.  Watch a John Travolta movie and went to bed.

Day 14 March 31, 2018

Judy and I went to old town Wickenburg about 40 miles away on US 60 also known as Grand Ave.  Definitely a tourist town.  We ate lunch in an outdoor café having a club sandwich, ice tea and a beer.  Got back in time to go with Andy and Laurie and her father Gene to St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church in Sun City for Easter eve service.  Very beautiful mass. The music was outstanding, and we got the pascal candle lit all in one service. Hamburgers for dinner.

Day 15 April 1  Happy Easter

We picked Andy and Laurie up at their house at around 8 and headed off rock hounding.   We went about two and a half miles north of Wickenburg.  There is a small hill there and near the top was a semi-hard layer which is loaded with geodes.  Laurie, Andy and I got to the layer and started chipping out the geodes trying to get whole ones.  Judy was taking her time getting up the steep rocky trail.  Andy went to check on Judy and went with her back down the steep hill.  Laurie and I kept rock hounding for a while as we were still in the shade and quit as soon as the sun hit us.

Laurie at the geode bed.

Andy Judy and I at  base of geode bed.

  We went into town to a park and had lunch.  Went back home and rested for a few hours.  Judy and I then met Andy and Laurie at the rec. center and went for a swim.  Boy did that feel good with pool, hot tub and shower.  Then we went over to the Sun Bowl for another free concert with a group playing 50’s songs.  They did a very good job and all the old folks enjoyed remembering their childhood.  Went back home and got a good night sleep.

Day 16 April 2, 2018

A day to relax.  Judy knitted and napped.  I mostly read all day.  Had nice beef dinner Judy had made at home and frozen.  Yumm.   Watched the Voice.  Went to bed.

Day 17 April 3

 Another relaxing day.  I read and Judy knitted.  Planned for rock hounding trip tomorrow.  Andy and Laurie picked us up for dinner at special Mexican restaurant and it was very good.  We then played hand and foot cards and the guys won again but by a very slim margin of 20 points out of 12000. 

Day 18 April 4

Had a relaxing day.  Ha Ha.   Laurie and Andy came over for dinner and cards.   Nice evening.

Day 19 April 5

Relaxed in the morning waiting for Molly and the boys to arrive.  They came around 11 am.  We had lunch then went to Walmart to get some groceries and Molly wanted some things also.  Met Andy and Laurie at Don Rubins Mexican restaurant at 43 and Cactus.  We had a very nice dinner.  We said good bye to Andy and Laurie because we will not be seeing them until we get back to Shelton.

Day 20 April 6

We got an early start and headed out to St. Johns.  Molly followed us for a while in her rented Jeep (Goldie had a friend) and then decided that we were going too slowly and the boys could get along without her.  She continued on to Zion for her yoga retreat.  We got to Flagstaff and headed east on I-40 to Holbruck and then south on 180 to St Johns.  Moon Meadows RV park was still there and we got space 107 and signed up for a week for $100.  After dinner we went to the property to show the kids and they were excited to get back tomorrow.

Day 21 April 7, 2018

After breakfast we headed out to the property.  Before doing anything else, we all went to work making fire wood from a bunch of old wooden pallets.  

Crew making firewood out of pallets.

The kids were picking up rocks, Emerson was running his remote control car, Jasper was trying his hand with the metal detector as did Emerson.

Jasper checking the parking area for nails.

Emerson plowing is remote control car into a small bush.

After lunch we walked around the property checking the fences and showing the boys the lay of the land and the big petrified logs. 

Jasper and Emerson on top of the world.

They picked up pockets full of rocks.  On the way home from the property, we stopped at the grocery store and picked up a few items.   At home, Jasper and Emerson washed all their rocks.  We had hamburgers for dinner.  We then watched a movie “Land before time.”  Then we all went to bed exhausted.

Day 22 April 8

We decided to head to Springerville to get some things for Judy then head up into the White Mountains to find some elk and go to Big Lake.  Well, they had closed the road seven miles up.  Drat!  We stopped at the big overlook with a view over the huge lava flows and the towns of Springerville and Eager.  We then headed off to the Sipe Wildlife refuge not far from Springerville. 

Grandma watching the boys in the tree.

Jasper

After our picnic lunch, Jasper, Emerson and I went for a walk up a hill to a look out.  No elk or other big critters were seen as others had the day before.  Two jackrabbits and four lizards only.  At the top of the hill were some pictographs.

Judy waiting for us to finish our half mile hike.

Stopped in Springerville again and got some wire to fix the fence at the property.  And stopped at Safeway to get a special 50^th birthday cake for Judy’s daughter Molly.  Fried chicken for dinner.  Yummy.  Molly got back from Zion tonight at around nine.  They boys were happy to see their mom.

Day 23 April 9, 2018

After breakfast we headed out to the property.  On the way we stopped at the local rock shop where the man makes polished petrified wood and sandstone items for some of the national parks.  He showed us his operation and all the different items he makes.  Very impressive and me so jealous of his equipment.  At the property we had a fun time running around.  The kids enjoyed showing their mom around the place, ran their remote control car and picked up more rocks.

Jasper, Emerson and Molly by petrified log.

Surveying the property.

  Molly even picked up a few pockets of rocks.  Roasted hot dogs over a fire for dinner.  We also had some-mores with chocolate filled Oreo cookies instead of graham crackers.

Cooking dinner.

Family in a juniper.

Fun day and everyone was dirty and tired.

Day 24 April 10, 2018

After breakfast we headed off to the Hubbell Trading Post which is on the Navajo Indian reservation up highway 191 from St. Johns.  Judy and I had been there before and wanted to show Molly and the boys the historic place.

Local made native rug at $700.

Playing in the visitor center.

In front of a hogan.

  For lunch we stopped at the flea market in Ganado and got some Indian tacos, mutton stew, and fry bread burgers which we ate back at the trading post where there were picnic tables. Off we went to Window Rock which is capital of the Navajo Nation.  We went to their memorial to veterans where the window arch is.  Molly and the boys hiked up to the eye of the arch while Judy and I talked to one of the jewelry makers.

Climbing up to Window Rock.

In the eye.

We then hustled over to the Navajo Nation Museum.  Some of exhibits were new and some area were being redone.  Headed back to St. Johns and to El Camino for dinner. We

Happy birthday Molly.

had a "surprise" 50th birthday party for Molly.  Sorted laundry for in the morning, had some snacks and went to bed.

Day 25 April 11, 2018

Molly and the boys packed up and left after lunch.  Amazing how uncrowded it seems to be this afternoon.  We enjoyed having all of them and showing them around.  Quiet evening.

Day 26 April 12

Spent the day indoors.  Very windy today with strong gusts.  We were going to go to the property and cook dinner over the fire.  We got out a puzzle “The twelve apostles” a picture from the southern coast of Victoria, Australia.   I visited the place when I was in OZ.  This is turning out to be a very difficult puzzle.  Cold this morning in the low 30’s and got up to maybe 50 during the day.

Day 27 April 13

Still windy today.  Very gusty again all day.  We went out to the property and loaded up Goldie with a lot of rebar.  It was left by the previous owners.  Went to the local scrap yard.  Wow we had 600 pounds worth and got $17 for it.  Now the only stuff left there is wood as in pallets and dried up old plywood and a few pieces of dimensional lumber.  We had homemade chili for dinner made by myspecial lady.  Worked on the puzzle this afternoon and evening.   Making progress. 

Day 27 April 14

No water when we got up this morning.  Froze overnight.  Lucky the motor home water pump still worked and we could get water. We went to the property.  I dug up a culvert on the road which goes to one area of the property.

Old culvert.

  It had never worked properly.  No wonder, the culvert was made up of short pieces of pipe and the middle section was higher than either end so water did not flow through very readily.  Judy worked hard taking apart more of the pallets and other wood construction.  Dusty dirty work as the red sand and dust gets all over.

Rolling this old tire to a new place.  Will not fit in Jeep to take to the dump.

Went home for lunch.  The wind was calm well relatively calm so we went to cook our dinner over fire.  We put marinated steak in a wire holder and potatoes with onions and carrots wrapped in foil cooked in the coals.  Yummy.  Good day.

Day 28 April 15, 2018

Today we went for a drive.  Our journey took us through Springerville to Alpine in the White Mountains.  From there we went to Luna, New Mexico and further on to Reserve on highway 180.  Drove off on one of the forest service roads for a potty break and picked up some rocks with crystals.  This Luna area is known for crystals.  We found a nice small rest area and ate our lunch among ponderosa pines with birds and squirrels.  We headed back home and stopped by a small bakery in Reserve and got a big chocolate cookie.  When the kids were here we tried getting to Big Lake from hwy 60 and the road was closed, so we tried to get their by the back road.  We got to the lake and it was as pretty as every even though most of the surrounding forest was burned a few years ago.

Big Lake in teh White Mountains

  We continued down the road and to our surprise to road was now open.  Yea! we did not have to go back the long way.  Lots of blue birds flying around but we did not see any elk this trip.  Left overs for dinner.  Got the sky done on our puzzle.  Tough going and hope we get it done before we leave here.

Day 29 April 16.

Finally found someone who sells culverts.  So today was- go to Show Low day-which is a little less than an hour away.  Stopped by Walmart to pick up a few things.  Then to Lowes to get a battery powered saw, Porter Cable, to cut up the plywood left on the property.  Also some rope to tie the culvert on the top of Goldie.   Went to the culvert place and got a ten foot eight inch diameter metal culvert and roped it on to Goldie.

Goldie , me, and culvert.

Then went to Safeway to buy some groceries and pick up our prescriptions and buy some gas.  We needed some more cash so went to a local credit union.  Drove back to St. Johns and had a tasty pork chop dinner.  Busy and productive day.  Windy and warm today.

Day 30 April 17, 2018

Really gusty this morning.  Weatherman said the gusts would be 50 mph.  There were large clouds of dust and the motorhome was rocking.  It calmed some after lunch, at least no big clouds of dust in the air.  We went off to the property so I could put in the culvert. I had to do some more digging to straighten, widen and slope the ditch.  I got is mostly all done with some more work to be done buttressing the ends.

New culvert in ditch.

Putting on the final touches.

I tried the battery powered skill saw cutting up some of the old plywood.  One battery did quite a bit of cutting and I am pleased with how well it worked.  Before going home we drove some of the roads of River Springs Ranch.  Found a few beautiful places with big red sandstone rocks.  We had pulled pork sandwiches for dinner with fruit salad.

Day 31 April 18, 2018

After breakfast, headed out to the property.  I finished the culvert and did some work on the road mainly fixing drainage and removing some of the bigger rocks.

New culver in and finished. 

One of the cacti on the property.

 Also I made another crib for firewood. Judy was busy with sorting and removing nails from some the wood that still remains.  Nice today, in that there was very little wind and the temperature was in the low 70’s.  Too bad we had some really windy days.  When we first came to St Johns, all the grass looked dry, but now after two weeks, fields are looking green.  It does not look as barren as it did. 

Day 32 April 19, 2018

Windy again today but we decided to go to the property to do some more clean-up of the scrap wood.  We got a lot done and another day or so will finish it up.   Had lunch and then worked for a while longer until the batteries for the skill saw gave out.  We are both filthy.  Cleaned up and went to the library to send out the blog.  Tried to use my credit card to buy a few screws and they would not take it.  Apparently according to the credit card company my card was compromised at some business so they sent me a new one, to Shelton.   Well they will be sending a new one overnight which means Monday morning.  So we will stay here a few more days as they do not do the weekend. .  Watched “Last of the Mohicans” video and went to bed.

Day 33 April 20

Went to the property to continue cleaning up the wood debris. 

The weatherman predicted rain in the late afternoon.   It started to cloud up after lunch so we quit and went home to clean up.  Very dirty job as the wood is loaded with red sandy dust and pack rat nests. 

We to town to check out a new consignment shop.  Owned by an interesting lady whose husband works at the local sheriff’s office.  Sure enough around five, it started raining and rained for about two hours, sometimes very hard.  Watched the first disc of “Shogun”.

Day 34 April 21, 2018

We went to Springerville to go to the White Mountain Dinosaur Museum.  Christopher was there and showed us all the new things they were doing.  Hazel came after a while and told us all the things she was doing.   They have more fossils to dig up they do not have enough time or people.  They are recruiting young kids to help and learn paleontology.  The main thing they have going is becoming a non-profit.  It is so much fun to talk to them.  They do so much for the local community and schools in the area.   We had lunch at Bugga Reds and came home.    After dinner went out to do some burning of waste as the wind was not blowing very hard.  By the time the fire burned out it was close to nine o’clock. 

Very romantic sitting watching the fire and not hearing a sound.   Stars were out, satellite went by.  Got home and had some ice cream and watched disc of “Shogun”.  Sad time, the puzzle was not going to get done by the time we leave so it was put back in the box.  Maybe it was ¾ done. 

Day 35 April 22

We went to the property again.  Did some more burning and cutting up lumber.  Almost done but the rest will have to wait until we come back again. I walked around checking things out and picking up some rocks. We came home and took showers.  Laundry time to wash our filthy clothes from working on the property.  After dinner watch disc three of “Shogun.”

Day 36 April 23, 2018

Day of semi-rest.   Read, knitted and napped in the morning.  The UPS guy came around 11 am with my new credit card.  After lunch I went to the car parts store and bought a new light for the porch light with my new card.  Napped in the afternoon and Judy knitted and napped.  We started getting the motorhome ready to leave in the morning.  Vacuumed the rug, swept the floors and shook the throw rugs all of which had sand and rocks. Watched disc 4 of “Shogun” with cookies, tea and coffee.

Day 37 April 24

Whew what a day.  Got everything ready to go and was heading out.  Stopped by the RV park office to drop off the laundry key and dump the garbage.   Judy noticed the step did not go in and out but stayed out.  Tried lots of stuff and still stayed out.  Drove back to our space and started to check out the step.  All the test functions seemed to work fine.  We can’t travel with the step out.  So to get it in I went to the auto parts store and got some wire.  Hooked them up to the car battery, touched the brown wire to ground and the step went in.  Disconnected all the wiring and was hooking everything up to head out again.  The brake that is put in the car kept blowing fuses when plugged in.  Gave up and we decided to head for Flagstaff to see if there were someone there to fix it.  Went to take off and the door lock did not work.  Finally got it working and off we went.  On the way got caught in a small dust devil and it pushed us into the next lane.  Wow.  Ended up a Black Bart RV park off exit 198 on I-40. Called the manufacturer of the brake and he said to check the cord as it might be shorting after so much us and it might be shorting.  The RV park has a restaurant with singing waiters so Judy took me out to dinner. Very nice.  Came back home and looked at the brake cord and saw nothing that could be shorting out.  I will have to send it back to the manufactured for refurbishing when we get home.  Watched the Voice on TV and had cookies and ice cream and went to bed.

Day 38 April 25, 2018

Left Flagstaff and headed north on 89.  Beautiful drive especially getting closer to Page where the red rock cliffs are spectacular. 

At lunch in Page and headed to Kanab, UT to the RV Corral where we spent the night.

Day 39 April 26, 2018

Left Kanab and headed north on highway 89 through some very pretty red rock and white rock country.  Left 89 and took 12 east past Bryce NP and drove on to Escalante, UT. The road from 89 to the Bryce NP turnoff is called Red Canyon and is very beautiful.

View from Red Canyon

In Escalante got a space for two nights at the Canyons of Escalante RV park space 22.  We went next door to the park to what used to be an art etc. store and it was gone.  This place is where Judy got the idea to make her knitted dish cloths.  It is also where Judy bought me the circle of friends print.  She was disappointed the place was gone.  Apparently the owners moved to Cedar City to be closer to medical facilities.  We drove 28 miles to Boulder where there was supposed to be a store that sold art work.  We got there at 4 and the place close this week at 3.  But the drive was spectacular.  Too hard to describe.  Back home had fancy hot dogs for dinner.

Day 40 April 27, 2018
Today we went for a drive around the Box-Death Canyon Wilderness.  The canyon is a deep beautiful 40 mile drive starting out in the town of Escalante and ending up north on 12 close to the town of Boulder.   The road went up into the mountains covered with ponderosa pines and some type of fir.

Judy by one of the many steams.

Richard by the same stream.

Group of aspen.

The road was built in 1933 to go from Escalante to Boulder.   There is a bridge over a very narrow chasm called Hell’s Backbone.

View of Box-Death Canyon Wilderness from Hell's Backbone

We saw birds and one wild turkey.  At the end of the drive we drove to Boulder to a gift shop we went to yesterday.  Judy found a few lovely treasures to remember our trip by.  We ate lunch there in a little picnic area.  Then drove back to Escalante and part of the road is called the Devils’ Backbone because it follows a ridge top with steep cliffs on both sides of the road for several miles.  Beautiful scenery and pictures do not do it justice.  On the west side of the road in the canyon is Calf Creek trail which is very popular as it ends up at a beautiful waterfall.  

 Video of Calf Creek Canyon from Devils Backbone

 I did that hike several years ago. One last stop at the Kiva which is a restaurant built into a cliff.

Great coffee and more spectacular scenery.  Back home we had steak for dinner.

Day 41 April 28, 2018

Today was a traveling day.  Left Escalante and headed east on 12 past the entrance to Bryce NP and through the Red Canyon to highway 89.  We drove north through Panguwitch to highway 20 west taking us to I-15 exit 98.  Headed north on I-15 to Payson exit 248 and the local Walmart where we spent the night.  Judy made a great salad dinner with leftover steak on it.  Great!!! 

Day 42 April 29

Left Payson, UT and continued north on I-15 to I-215 then to I-80 east.  Drove to Green River and spent the night at The Travel Camp space E-12.  Very pleasant drive.  We had time so decided to do some rock hounding southeast of here about 35 miles.  We found lots of black agate (flint?) and some of the more desirable red agate.  Cool at 60 degrees with the wind blowing.

Rock hound Judy.

Day 43 April 30

Rained last night and still raining a little.  No rock hounding today as the back roads will be impossible to drive on.  So we decided to go to Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer.  Well on the way it got colder and colder and finally snow was falling.  The temperature was 32 degrees.  Turned on the radio and it said there might be 2-4 inches of snow in Kemmerer.  Turned around and went to a tourist trap truck stop, etc. called Little America on I-80.  Looked around the gift shop and got their advertised 75 cent ice cream cones which were huge.  We went back home and it rained most of the rest of the day sometimes hard. Perfect time for reading.  After dinner went to the local Smith’s grocery and bought a few items.  Sunny now with thunderstorms in the distance.  Supposed to freeze tonight.

Day 44  May 1

We figured the roads were not quite dry enough so we went to Kemmerer and the Fossil Butte National Monument.  Very interesting place as the fossils from the 50 million year old lake bed had fossils of fish, plants, seeds, mammals, insects, etc., basically a whole ecosystem.

Fossil Butte Visitor Center

Fossil leaf about 4 feet across.

  On the way back stopped at a rock hounding place near Little America off I-80. The road was fine.  There we found brown turitella, some black agate, small pieces of moss agate and a few other rocks.  Cold and blowing.  Obviously the area has be well picked over.  We saw lots of pronghorns today.

Fossil Collecting area with chemical plant in distance.

Turitella layer at edge of the bluff.

Day 45 May 2, 2018

A few sprinkles on the window this morning so we decide to try to go to the Blue Forest to get some petrified wood.   So off we went and it was not too long it was raining harder.  We decided to see how far we could get.  Took I-80 to exit 66 then north on highway 327 and then left on county road 8 for 11.3 miles.  The road so far was good.  Then we turned north on an oil facilities roads for about 4.5 miles.  Even these roads were good but it was raining hard, it was 37 degrees and the wind was blowing.   It was too miserable to do our own digging so we just wandered around and picked up some discarded pieces.

Blue Forrest petrified wood collecting area.

  Left and were on our way home and decided to stop at the Seedskadee (native for home of the prairie chicken) national wildlife refuge.  At the visitor center we were caught with two bus-loads of school kids. After checking out the visitor center we drove around the refuge which is along the Green River for many miles. As part of the refuge there is the place where the Oregon Trail and others crossed the Green River either by fording or taking a ferry.  They have a replica of the original Morman ferry made for the 150^th anniversary of first Morman crossing. In some areas you can still see the original wagon trail.

Looking across the Green River where the original crossing was from the replica ferry.

Day 46 May 3  Nurse Appreciation Day

Left Green River and took I-84 off I-80 and drove to Snowville, UT where we have stopped before.  The RV park used to be called Lottie Del and an old man ran it many years after his wife died.  New it is called Earl and James Hitching Post.  Not as special.  Sunny today with fluffy clouds and windy.

Day 47 May 4

Left Snowville and continued west on I-84.  Drove to Boise, ID and spent the night in a Walmart parking lot.   Hot Hot Hot.  87 degrees at 5 pm, 82 at 9pm.  Plus we could feel the humidity compared to where we had been.  

Day 48 May 5, 2018

Left Snowville and headed west on I-84.  Very nice drive as the roads were good and there was very little wind.   Spent the night in Boardman at the Driftwood RV park as the Marina park was full.  Should make it home tomorrow.

Day 49 May 6

Drove home and all is well at home.