Dancing on the Fault Line...

Well, I cannot say we "did" everything at Zion, but we "did" everything that a non-hiker can see and do so we decided not to return to the park today, but rather go to St. George, UT.  It was a nice adventure, taking us past some olde timey buildings and "temples".  We passed on the LDS tour because my experience with that sect is that if you put your foot in the door, you are on the list for re-contact forever.  But we did tour at the Daughters of Utah Museum (unfortunately goes by the acronym DUM) and that was fascinating.  Lots of memorabilia from the early settlement days of St. George.  Quite a few family collections of clothing, jewelry, tableware, tools and oddities.  Particularly enjoyed the clothing accessories like add-on collars, cuffs, shawls etc. that allowed folks to wear the same outfit, just change the 'extras'.  The beaded, hand-made shoes were lovely.    We drove back through a town called Hurricane and noticed a rather prominent 8 - 9' ridge of rocks and hardpacked earth that ran alongside houses/road for quite a while.  Our Zion guide had mentioned a nearby fault so we guessed that was it, took photos and brought them back to the RV Park and verified.

Rocky Fault line Behind Homes

Curves in Fault Line - Hurricane UT

Close-up

This evening we are going to join in the Beer n' Brats at the clubhouse... Pam gets the beer, I get the brats!  A good deal if you ask me...  Tomorrow morning we head out again, making our way toward Bryce Canyon National Park with a couple of stops on the way.  Details to follow!

We made it to Zion...

Arrived at the Zion River Resort Tuesday evening so we were up and at 'em Wednesday to see the sights at the National Park.  Driving to the Park from the resort is a lovely drive - 9 miles from gate to gate - and canyon sights all the way.  Pam & I both have National Park Access passes so entry was free!  A short stop at the Visitor Center/Gift Shop to get the lay of the land and then onto a shuttle bus.  This park has made a conscious commitment to welcoming and "moving" many visitors and eliminating the damaging effects of autos on the environment by operating a very efficient shuttlebus system throughout the Park and even from downtown Springdale and Virgin (fueled by compressed propane).  We hopped on/off at eight different sightseeing stops, some with facilities, some just photo ops and trailheads for hiking.  We walked 1 mile in at Temple of Sinawava to the Narrows as the path was paved and labelled "easy".  And it was....

How American.....

Looking straight up thru trees - amazing!

Overhanging Rock - had to duck! Can't seem to rotate today.

Nice shady spot ...no, those aren't white tattoos!

After a stop at the Museum to view a film on the history of the park we headed back to camp for some R & R and Wine, Cheese and Conversation at a RV Park social.  Enjoyed the camaraderie.  

Thursday:  We got up and out really early to be at the park in time to sign up for a Ranger-led tour called Ride with The Ranger.  We had a private shuttle bus with about 16 folks and our Ranger did a guided tour through the canyon discussing People and Their Effect on the Canyon over the ages.  He was a very knowledgeable young man and the tour took us to some areas we might not have seen without a guide.  Again, a freebie.  We're "home" early to keep Mr. Hobbs company, swim a little, put the crock pot on and relax.  

Baby Squirrel wants a nibble of my shoe.

Adam Feldrosi, Capable Ranger Guide

Local Mule Deer Having Breakfast

Fantastic Views at Every Turn

Dam - it!

What did the trout say when he ran into the concrete?  Dam!!!  Couldn't resist a little Hoover Dam humor.  We made it!  Started the day with a short drive - and just a bit of confusion about how to get to the place - if you have a "big rig", i.e. over 10' tall, you have to drive from the Arizona side to the Nevada side, then take a lengthy u-turn back to the Arizona side where you go through pretty detailed security check (open all compartments, let them look inside the rig etc.) and then drive up to parking lot #13 and find a space to park.  From parking lot #13 it is a long, long, hot walk back down to the dam/tour area.  I think I counted about 80+ steps on 3 levels and the temperature was 107 degrees!  I was smart though.... I took bottled water, a very light, cloth backpack, my fan necklace and a water-soaked washcloth to mop up the sweat.  And I rested several times on the walk back.  It was well worth it!  What an engineering marvel - and the views are simply fantastic.  You get an extra dose of pictures today...

View of Bridge and Turbine Output Area

Eight Giant Turbines 500 Feet down

View of Both Sides, One Shot

Out of order photo - at Willow Beach this morning...

Got it done, ahead of schedule & under budget!

View of Lot #13 from 1st level down, 3 to go!

Arizona Side Spillway

North Side, High Water Mark 14 years ago.

Whoa!  That's lotsa cement

I guess it is one of those sights that gives real meaning to the oft overused term A-W-E-S-O-M-E!

We made up one of our lost days by driving quite a few extra miles today.  Since I woke at six this morning, I'm pooped!  But on arrival at our RV park in Virgin, UT, we were pleased to learn that Root Beer Floats were on the evening agenda as well as some nifty singing by a gentleman with a "crooner" type voice who did justice to quite a few country western as well as 60's songs.  Pam fixed a great salad supper and then it was her time to swim, mine to unwind, upload photos and work on the blog.  

By the way, we got through a whole day today without a flat tire!  On to Zion National Park tomorrow.  (and I don't have to move the rig for 4 days - yea!)

Hi Everyone,  We just got settled in a National Park site just 11 miles from Hoover Dam and 50 miles from Vegas (going to Dam, not to Vegas)  It has been another challenging day... you may remember that we had a flat tire last Monday, and had it replaced in Carlsbad, NM.... well, we motored on to Deming and Surprise and had another flat Wednesday just West of Surprise.  Maybe there is something in a name.  We had AAA come again and put the spare back on.  We motored on toward Cottonwood and got ourselves set up in the Encore Resort there.  Since we were going to visit a mining town in Jerome (see previous blog post) we found a tire store that would special order the tire I needed and were promised it would be ready to install on Monday morning, first thing.  So we accepted that fact that we'd have two extra days in Sedona and arrived at the Tire Depot first thing this morning.  Hmmmm.... "your tire is not here yet, but we should have it by 10AM!"  I went into my modified ballistic mode and got a more expensive tire for the price of the other one and we were, once again, on our way.  I set Serenity II for directions and probable arrival near the Hoover Dam by 2PM today.  We stopped for fuel about half way here and did our usual walk-around to find another flat!  Yep, that's right, 3 flats in 7 days.  We remained amazingly calm, called a nearby tire place (actually just over the interstate so I drove there) and got yet another.  As we travelled on after all this excitement, I tried to remind myself that I should be grateful.... 1) that I'm not travelling in a covered wagon 2) that the truck is beautifully air conditioned  3) that every town I pass through seems to have a tire store!!!!!!

So, it is now 5PM, the hook-ups are done and the air conditioner is trying very hard to cool the rig down from an outside temperature of 111 degrees to a liveable inside temp.  The trek to this campground was very, very interesting.  Very little signage.  Very little information other than the campground was 4.2 miles from the exit point.  They neglected to mention the small fact that the campground is 4.2 miles down a wind-y, switchback-y, grade 6% road from the top of a small mountain to the bottom.  At the end of the road is an absolutely gorgeous store, restaurant, boat marina etc.  I must say it is quite picturesque.  Going back up will be even more interesting!

While I had hoped to get to the Dam today, it was not in the cards so I get to look forward to it for one more day.  When we are through sightseeing there it will be on to Zion National Park for a 4-night stay.  That will get us back on track and will still afford us plenty of time at Zion.  So for now, that's all that's fit to print....

Arizona !

We left Deming on Wednesday and headed for Surprise, AZ to visit with Tad's mother-in-law, Cathy.  Found her house with ease (Serenity II) and enjoyed a nice visit, catching up on the news and loving the chicken caesar salad she had prepared for our enjoyment.  A fun and welcome break!  Left Surprise in time to drive with time to spare to Verde Valley Resort in Cottonwood, AZ.  At least we thought so....  As we travelled, two guys in a truck came alongside and waved frantically and pointed to my rig - another flat!!! We exited quickly (and they followed us off which I thought was very gentlemanly).  The tire wasn't just flat, it was totally shredded.  Good news... no accident, no harm except I had to order a trailer tire and change our itinerary (yes, I can be flexible if it is planned) and stay two extra days in the Sedona area.  Pam will miss the Hualipai Indian Shelf over the canyon to make up the time.... but she is agreeable.  We are using the time wisely - some R & R, laundry, cooking "ahead", swimming and blogging.  We'll hit the tire place first thing Monday morning and then be on our way West once again.

We spent our first day in Sedona touring around the back-country roads.  Considered a Pink Jeep Tour, but I've found the Chevy Truck Tour to be cheaper and just as much fun.  I don't mind driving and there are pull-over spots for photo opportunities.  We had checked in at the Chamber of Commerce and got suggestions for drives that would give us the "biggest bang for the buck". 

We also splurged and took a train ride on the Verde Valley Canyon Railroad.  It was a four-hour ride through the canyon affording us spectacular views not seen any other way, methinks.  Although I'm always ready for anything, imagine my surprise when about 1/2 way through the trip they asked everyone to take their seats in the inside cars (not the observation cars) while they assessed fires both in front of and behind the train!!!!!   We were just a bit nervous as we knew there had been canyon fires last week and the canyon road from here to Flagstaff is still partially closed.  But "our" fires it seems were merely tiny brush fires started by sparks from the train wheels .... when the engineer saw smoke, he pulled together all staff hands with gallon jugs of water to extinguish them.  Whew!  We continued the trip with no further problems (but definitely a heightened adrenaline level). 

We also toured a neat mining town way up in the hills.  Founded by a mining man and his investors, it was the largest copper mining town in the West for some time.  We saw his house and some of the old mining equipment and watched a well written and filmed movie about the history of Jerome, AZ.  Time well spent. 

The green machine above is a central vacuuming system found in the mino owner's home....pretty snazzy for it's time!   We're heading back into Sedona this evening as they say the sunset views from the airport are spectacular and not to be missed.  Since we don't have Wi-Fi at the rig in this campground, I'll next update you from somewhere 'round Hoover Dam. 

Since I've got some Wi-Fi capability tonight, I'll catch up on the last couple of days.  First, some photos of the caving in Carlsbad...

Stalactites and Stalagmites

Curtains

named Chinese Dancers?

Walk weary Travellers

 Got up bright and early Monday morning and headed for the tire store where I probably paid too much for a trailer tire.... but it's the only store in town and the owner assures me "it's a great trailer tire!"  Our drive today is through southern New Mexico, around and through the Guadalupe Mountains.  Some of the vistas are pretty, but I've got to say mostly dry, dusty, little vegetation lots and lots of Haliburton trucks and workers digging pipelines.  I saw this billboard and couldn't resist the photo op....

We've been a little challenged by Serenity (my old faithful GPS) who decided she wouldn't accept specific directions, just shows maps, and I need detail.  So I found a Best Buy and replaced her with Serenity II.  What a difference!!! Larger screen, lots more information, lane assist, AAA tour book on board, next exit information.  I'm in heaven.  And my co-pilot has been converted from map reliance to a being a Serenity advocate - YEA!!!

Stayed at the Loners on Wheels' Headquarters Park in Deming, NM.  Nicely maintained, easy to find and we arrived just in time for their Monday potluck.  It was kinda slim pickin's but we arrived late and brought no offerings so no complaints from us!

Tuesday we are  in Casa Grande, AZ.  I have added another state to my conquest map.  We are getting in touch with Tad's mother-in-law Cathy and will meet with her tomorrow or Thursday and catch up with one another.  Glad she's on the route.  Here's a little of what we saw today and my two buddies

We arrived in Carlsbad, NM yesterday.  Our distance was only 138 miles but we did have one miss-step that added to our drive time.  When I did a "walk around" the rig while filling up at a Pilot station just outside of Carlsbad, I noticed that one of the trailer tires was "low" but not flat.  On closer inspection, the tire was treadless!  It was being held together by the steel belts only.  So I called AAA and had them come' and put the spare on the rig.  Very quick, very capable service.  Unfortunately, there's nothing open in Carlsbad on Saturday afternoon... except Walmart and they don't carry trailer tires.  Oh well.  The tire place will be open Monday Morning.  On with being a tourist!  We went to the Caverns National Park to "do" the museum and gift shops yesterday.  Interesting films and displays to prepare us for the actual cave experience we had today.  We went back to the caves this morning and did "the big room".  Took an elevator 750' below the surface (one minute ride) and arrived at the entrance.  Very dark, and about 56 degrees.  It is reputed to be the size of 14 football fields!  We wandered throughout the room for 2+ hours along paved paths with guard rails along both sides.  It wasn't an overly difficult walk... but did test our endurance in a little over a mile and a half.

  We'd purchased handheld audio tour wands and that gave us detailed information about the geology, history and highlights.  Well worth the money ($5)  Since our admission was free with our Senior Access passes - all-in-all a fabulous experience for very few dollars!  I'll post more photos tomorrow as the Wi-Fi here is abominably s-l-o-w.  By the way, the temp here is about 105 today
...we are sweltering