Tag: national parks

Moab, Utah

4×4 Playground and more

Where Jeeps Go to Play

Armadillo parked at the entrance to Arches National Park in Moab, Utah

I had heard of Moab, Utah but never was it at the top of my list of places to visit. Anyone who drives a Jeep, though, knows that Moab is where Jeeps go to play. But Ken and I are Florida babies and enjoy trees, water, and woods that deserts do not have in abundance. Still, when our route to Yellowstone put Moab, Utah in our path, we had to stop.

First, Moab is the town that Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Parks is near. People say Moab to refer to the area but there is no Moab National Park. Unless you are camping on BLM land or in one of the national parks, you will be camping in the town.

Moab is Looking Promising

Map of route from Delores Colorado to Moab, Utah

We arrived from southern Colorado via US Route 191. This is an easy route that at one time in our country’s history was a spur on a major highway (Route 91) from California to Canada. We started seeing fantastical rock formations along the highway. There are stripped turbans that look like Russian onion domes. Minarets standing alone in open fields. Sweeping arches and windows carved into the sides of mountains. Moab, Utah was starting to look a little more interesting.

Russion onion dome shaped rock on route to Moab, Utah

It is hard to make a pleasant RV park in the desert, but Moab Rim Campark manages a fairly nice landing spot. Town is an eclectic mix of restaurants and shops, breweries and tour operators. The town is historic, inviting, and walk-able. Imagine a western desert town where everything, including the buildings, seems to be red dirt. This is Moab.

Arches National Park is a short five miles down the road from town, So after setting up the RV, Ken and I jumped in Armadillo, our Jeep Wrangler, for a sunset ride through Arches. It is a real treat when you are close enough to enjoy sunrise or sunset in a national park.

Our Sunset Ride

The entrance to Arches is quite dramatic. You climb the mountain face on a switchback road. (Road is on the mountain behind Jeep in the first blog picture.) Everyone ahead and behind you is visible because it is solid rock. There are no trees. The cars look like ants going to and fro from their nest. I made the mistake of looking down the mountain, swallowed hard, and faced forward from then on.

Entrance to Park Avenue hike Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
Park Avenue, Arches National Park

It didn’t take long before we were greeted with the first spectacular view, Park Avenue. Park Avenue is a one-mile trail through a canyon that towers with some of the parks most well known monoliths. The Courthouse Towers, the Three Gossips, the Tower of Babel, all famously photographed, can be viewed on this trail as well as some outstanding fins (thin-walls of rock).

example of fin rock formations, Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
Rock formations called fins

It is always amazing to me that each park we visit, while similar, is so different. The colors, the formations, the stunning views. Just when you think it will be repetitive, you are surprised and awed yet again. Does everyone’s heart swell when they see these beautiful sights? Ken and I continue to be delighted over and over.

Sunset at Parade of Elephants, Arches National Park, in Moab, Utah
Parade of Elephants – The Windows Section, Arches National Park

Rafting, Hiking and Picnics

Whitewater rafting Colorado River, Moab , Utah
Whitewater rafting on the Colorado River – Break time

Our stay in Moab is filled with hikes to the famous arches, nature’s frames to stunning landscapes. Some are visible from a car pullout but others may require a short hike. Still others require a strenuous hike. They are worth every step it takes to view them. There are over two thousand documented arches in the park. Some are large. Some are small. But each is perfect.

We enjoyed a tame whitewater rafting trip on the Colorado River with an evening picnic under starry skies. We hiked Canyonlands National Park and the scenery is just as jaw-dropping as Arches.

Canyonlands National Park in Moab, Utah
Pine Tree arch, Arches National Park in Moab, Utah
Pine Tree Arch

Moab, Utah is famous for its Jeep safaris, off-road courses, whitewater rafting, dinosaur tracks and the stunning arches and canyons. It is a destination that I’m glad we didn’t miss. I do wish we had planned a little more time.

Continuing Precautions

Covid precautions continue to play a large part in the decisions we make. From activities we do, to what time we do them, and where we camp, Covid is forefront on our minds. We continue to see what we can see and do what we can do to the best of our abilities. Traveling in the RV taught me very quickly that we will never see it all and we are too old to do it all. But there is plenty still to experience and we try to pack in as much as our short time on this beautiful earth will allow.

Resting after hike in Canyonlands National Park, Moab Utah

Till next week. We are…

Always Grateful. 👫

Tips and Links

Moab is hot. If you cannot tolerate the heat then be sure to visit during the shoulder season, March through May or September through October. There are plenty of hotels in the town and several RV parks. All services from groceries to restaurants are available and there is a good organic co-op. A dinosaur land is near the entrance to Canyonlands and would be perfect for young ones. If you are comfortable driving the twists and turns at night, a night of stargazing should be on your list to do. There are dozens of tour operators for anything you may want to try and most operators have an easy level for older, younger or beginners.

Grand Teton National Park

It’s our first day to visit Grand Teton National Park and we are as excited as kids on Christmas morning.

🎶 It’s o’dark thirty when the alarm rings. Ken’s rings to the right of the bed and mine to the left where we are snug and warm. I crack my eyes open first, give him an elbow to the ribs and say “let’s get this show on the road.” It’s our first day to visit Grand Teton National Park and we are as excited as kids on Christmas morning.

Load up

Armadillo on the way to Schwabacher’s Landing hike

The plan for today is a sunrise hike on the Snake River at Schwabacher’s Landing. The promise, from reviews, is the hike will provide stunning scenery and photos to treasure. It is cold. The temperature is 39 degrees. We shiver while loading Armadillo with hot coffee, water, protein bars, and backpacks.

The thought crosses my mind “Is it worth all this?” But the commitment is made and off we go, as Ken drives through the Teton Pass with it’s twists, turns and ten percent grades. Kaye sleeps and I nod in the back of Armadillo while we stay warm under the blanket Kaye thoughtfully provided.

Are we awake yet?

Twilight appears to silhouette the town when we arrive in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It looks like a fun place to explore but we push on, trying to reach the river before the sun peeks up over the mountains. Up, up the Jeep climbs, surrounded by the snowy peaks of Teton, Moran and Table mountains.

We keep our eyes open for wildlife as Armadillo rolls past the National Elk Refuge and are rewarded for our attentiveness. Five stately elk stand near the road. Two bucks hold enormous racks high on strong necks and appear like bronze statues. Zoom. We pass by too fast for a photo. Our memories will have to suffice.

Go time

We arrive at the parking area of the Schwabacher hike with little time to spare. The sun is moving up quickly and the parking lot is full. Full to overflowing. There is a collective groan in the Jeep.

Hurriedly everyone dons packs, grabs their poles and sets off. The river is crowded with early birds just like us. They too are there to capture, in photographs, some of the most beautiful scenery on earth.

We hike in, quickly snap some pictures and keep going. The trail follows a meandering creek. My hands are cold. My nose is cold. I keep hoping that walking a little more vigorously will make it better and it does. Eventually.

The reason we came

Soon the other photographers disappeared and then quiet and beauty surrounded us. Alone. Ken related that a review of this particular hike says not to bother going further than the first quarter mile. Nothing else is spectacular after that point. Au contraire. Nothing could be further from the truth but thank goodness others believed it.

It is the first foray into Grand Teton National Park for Ken and I. We hike quietly while soaking in the grandeur. I am reminded of early morning hunting trips with my Dad. Reminded of the peace and serenity a walk through the woods at sunrise brings to my soul.

Always grateful

These times remind me of how grateful I am to be here and experience this wonderful world. We hiked along the creek to its conclusion at the main river course then returned on our same route. The entire hike was filled with beautiful wildflowers spread across meadows and the towering snow-topped Tetons reflected in the mountain streams.

Upon our return, Ken and I along with Kaye and Tim, piled into the warm Jeep. The mood was happily exhausted in the car as we said goodbye and drove out of the park. A hearty breakfast on The Bunnery patio in Jackson Hole hit the spot after our early morning adventure.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

RV life

Would I get up again at o’dark thirty for a sunrise hike? You betcha. I would and we did again the next day. Some things are worth the effort you have to put in.

Our RV life isn’t always easy either. We put in a lot of work to be here. It wasn’t easy to dispose of a lifetime collection of possessions or to know that we would not be near our first grand-baby. But. We. Are. And grateful.

We all get to choose our life and how it will play out. Fill yours with all the things that feed your soul.

Always grateful👫

Tips And Links

We choose to stay about an hour and a half away in Swan Valley because the prices were exorbitant in Jackson Hole. This was part of the necessity for getting up so early. There is a visitor center in Jackson Hole so plan to stop there for all your information before entering the park. If you do choose to stay closer, be aware that the Teton Pass has ten percent grades for quite a few miles, is very twisty and is not recommended for RVs. The best approach would be through Alpine to Jackson Hole. Also, there are acres and acres of free and gorgeous BLM lands that are available for camping along the Palisades Reservoir that runs through Swan Valley. The Schwabacher Landing hike is suitable for any age or ability but is not ADA accessible, however, stunning views are visible with little effort even from the parking area.

Covid and Summer RV Travel

Shelter in place is over but how do we move around the country safely? How to navigate covid and summer RV travel.

Quarantine at Thousand Trails Medina Lake has been pleasant. We have enjoyed the wildlife, trails, and atmosphere. Temperatures are rising lately and people are becoming frustrated with distancing rules. Face masks are second thoughts if at all.

Deer at Thousand Trails Medina Lake
Deer at rest in Thousand Trails Medina Lake

Get Ready for covid and summer RV Travel

It’s time for a change. Time to get rolling and start living our traveling lifestyle again. We started talking about leaving quarantine safety and realized traveling using our typical routine was not going to work. The four of us, traveling as a tribe in two RVs, put our heads together and came up with a safe traveling plan. Here are our tips for a safer Covid and Summer RV Travel.

Plan your destinations

We love dining out, visiting historical buildings, museums, and enjoying all types of city attractions. This year, we are avoiding indoor activities and focusing on hiking and canoeing. With that in mind, we looked closely at the available outdoor activities in the areas that interested us. We needed answers for these and other questions.

Armadillo with canoe summer and covid RV travel
Armadillo ready for new adventures
  • Are the state parks open for visiting?  Camping?
  • What is open to do in the National Parks in these area?
  • What about Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas and State forests?
  • Are dump stations open?

Many answers can be found on the state websites with jurisdiction for that park. A great starting point is Wikipedia. The Wikipedia site provides information on State Parks in each individual state. It includes an interactive map and is a good first stop in your planning research. State Park List

For National Parks and Monuments, the National Parks System provides you options by State. Choose a state from a drop down list. A list of all National Parks and Monuments for that state will open. Some National Parks even have apps available for download to your smartphone. National Parks & Monuments

To learn about the many varied activities available on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, the Bureau provides listings by state. Bureau of Land Management

If your decision is to be a little bolder, you may want to try restaurants, bars and other more crowded venues. A quick call will verify the business is open and ready to serve you; most restaurants are now offering curbside pickup, delivery, and dine-in. We are trying to find restaurants with outdoor patios.

Plan Your Route

RV Trip Wizard planning software for safely navigating covid and summer RV travel
Planning the first leg of our journey

After the destination has been decided, it is time to plan your route. This year takes a little more consideration. Here are a few examples of the type of questions you may want to ask.

  • Are quarantine rules in place for arrival from a different state?
  • Will restaurants and non-essential services be open?
  • Is the RV park you would like to go to taking new reservations?

This link will tell you how each state is currently handling the Covid19 pandemic and what services are partially or fully open. Covid19 Guidelines by State

After determining state guidelines, you can decide to stay or not. Please be sure to follow each state’s safety guidelines – or yours if they are more stringent.

Plan your expected activities

Some people enjoy sitting by the campfire or stargazing. Some enjoy dining out at new places. Other people love a strenuous hike or bike ride. Whatever comes to mind as perfect camping for you, make sure, through research, you will be able to do it and what special requirements you need to follow.

By making advance arrangements, we were able to enjoy a lovely dinner of Tafel Spitz prepared by chef/owner Denise at our favorite restaurant, Little Gretel in Boerne, Texas. It was a wonderful evening with great food, great friends, and in a lovely outdoor patio setting. If you are in the Austin/San Antonio area, be certain not to miss this restaurant.

An enjoyable evening with special dinner at Little Gretel

Plan and make your reservations

We are living in different times. Ken and I don’t usually bother with reservations. Now, reservations and confirmations are necessary for each leg of your journey. Here are a few tips.

  • Call the campground to make your reservation.  You can ask if there are any special operating procedures and what amenities may be open or closed.  Some campgrounds are using a remote check-in process similar to a late arrival check-in.
  • Note whom you speak with and get a confirmation number.  Get a backup email confirmation.
  • Keep copies of all pertinent information and payments regarding your reservation.
  • Pay as little down for a deposit as you can. Stay flexible.

ReserveAmerica is the booking agent for most state parks. Be careful. A closed park does not mean an automatic refund from the park, or their agent.

Plan for your safety

covid and summer RV travel shopping safety gear
Costco shopping in my safety gear
  • Follow all safety measures designated by the state you are in. It is your responsibility to know.
  • Stick to your own devised safety procedures. It is easy to get tired or complacent and let down your guard. Don’t do it.
  • Review your insurance policies and be aware of their requirements should you need medical attention.
  • Review all state Covid19 statistics. The numbers can be used as a guideline for determining where a little extra caution may be necessary.

Here is a link to find current statistics. State Covid19 statistics

My portable washing machine is coming in handy. It keeps me out of small cramped laundry rooms and saves considerable money. Read about this rugged little machine in The Laundry Experiement .

Covid and Summer RV Travel

Let’s get rolling. Ken and I are anxious and excited to start our Covid and Summer RV Travel. There are new states and parks planned and, our long-time friends, Kaye and Tim are traveling with us again. The lineup is full of great new adventures. Don’t be discouraged about what you cannot do. Be inspired by what you can.

We hope you stay safe in your summer travels too.

Always Grateful.👫

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Christmas card photos come to life in the Land of Giants.

Previously posted to Facebook on 5/18/18

Our explorations into this big beautiful country keep getting better and better. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks is our first impressions of this special place in the Sierra Nevadas.

A land of giants

Ken said it correctly in an earlier post, we are in the Land of Giants. Every steep hairpin curve upward in the High Sierra brings a new surprise. Spring flowers in vivid shades of purple, yellow, red and white cover the mountainside like colored carpets. Herds of deer glide silently by. Bear forage after waking from long winter sleep. Giant grey squirrels chatter. A Perrigrin falcon coasts through the sky. You are surrounded by multiple, massive, icy cold rivers cascading thunderously down onto rocky faces and through lush mountain meadows. The smell in the air is a perfume no chemist could ever duplicate; it is pine and flowers, fresh clean water and woods.

The clouds touch the mountaintops and dance along the brilliant blue sky, so close you want to reach for them. And under the giant sequoia and pines, where it is dark and shaded, Christmas card photos come to life.

If Yellowstone is the diamond, then Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks are the rubies and the emeralds. The Sequoias are Titans wrapped in soft, warm, bark robes, sometimes two-feet thick.

Uncrowded exploration

We have had dumb beginner’s luck and visited here just ahead of the season, with its masses of tourists parading from park-to-park on the weekends; so during the week, we have this playground virtually to ourselves. We hiked for miles and rarely saw anyone. We picnicked alone in splendor.

Mother nature puts on a fantastic show in the High Sierra. Snow is still on the mountaintops, melting and creating waterfalls everywhere you look. Trickling ones, roaring ones, gentle brooks that feed the meadows. And slow, wide, meandering ones. You think you have seen the best. But then turn the corner and your eyes pop because you encounter something even better. A mountain, a budding tree, blossoming flowers, or wildlife.

Get out and GO!

Many of you have mentioned to us that we are living your dream; to go around in an RV or travel trailer and see the country. Ken and I would both say DO IT! Do whatever you can and drag your children along too. Weekends in a van or months in an RV. Do it. You will not be disappointed. The world is big……

Always grateful. 👫

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks have been our favorite National Parks so far. I hope our photos do it some justice.

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