Monday, October 11, 2021

Chapter 13 - Utah and Heading Home (Sadly)

Monday, October 4 - I tried to find the road into Cathedral Valley. I did not go east far enough. Why did I not look at my maps before leaving or take one with me? Stupid! By the time, I discovered my mistake it was too late in the day to do the drive. It is supposed to rain tomorrow and that may render the roads impassable for a day or more.

Cap Reef has always been our fav park. Each time it seems more impressive. It's always been the least visited park in Utah. That may still be true, but like everywhere else this year there are a lot of folks here. Fortunately, Covid prevents a lot of foreigners from coming reducing the number of Cruise America RV's that always seem to park blocking roads.

Tuesday, October 5 - A rainy and chilly day. We did laundry. The sun peeked out in the late afternoon. There may not have been enough rain to trash the dirt roads. The trails are to be highly respected as there is Bentonite in the soil. Which is as slick as owl poop. I may try the trail in mid-morning and hope to see tire tracks.

Wednesday, October 6 - The weather report was way off base. Instead of 80% rain, the day dawned sunny with no clouds. We headed 20 miles east and took the Caineville Road towards Cathedral Valley. The road was smooth and dry. The rock formations were quite different from those to the west. Some were quite dark in color. We went about 10 miles without seeing a soul, then two oncoming Jeeps met us. It was another scenic drive.


Stay another day and drive down to the water pocket fold one more time or head south and do the end trip drive I have been waiting to do for a year? Fall is here. Snow is forecast for next Tuesday. Hard to believe when it's 73 outside right now. The forecast low is 25. I am thinking it's time to head east. Stop in Llano and eat BBQ for two days, then Louisiana to eat some Cajun.  We have now spent 2200 nights in Koko!

Thursday, October 7 - Decision made. We will start our trek for Alabama today. So we will head down UT12 once again this morning. The sunrises in our campsite have been glorious each morning. A home right in this place would be delightful.

All below were taken from our campsite






We have driven UT12 several times. Each time it seems more extraordinary than I recall. Today was no exception, even with overcast skies. You start by climbing Boulder Mountain to 9,600 feet through endless groves of Aspens which remain in full color. The descent into Escalante country is always amazing to my eye. 

Surprisingly, there was little traffic this morning which allowed my 35mph looky-loo speed not to hinder others.

At noon, we parked on the Hole-In-the-Rock road. No scenic views, but after being in transit for 3.5 hours we were tired. It's a very large parking area with cedar trees providing privacy. The rigs are spread out at some distance from each other.

I had kinda thought we might drive Hole-In-the-Rock to the end this year, just for kicks. But with the impending rain tomorrow there is no way I will chance it. Ditto, for accessing the White Wave. Reasons to live another year.

Four months ago, I was bitching about it being daylight at 5am. Now I am bitching as first light is not until 7:30. It never ends.

Dorothy is remarkable. At home, she fills a kitchen garbage can each and every day. In KoKo she fills a much smaller can every day. 

Friday, October 8 - A very light drizzle started at 8:30 when we got away. It drizzled off and on as we drove south. Neither of us remembered the terrain from Hole-In-the-Rock to Tropic, which is just outside Bryce - where the caramel-colored formations start. The picture at the top of this blog was taken there many years ago. We have never explored the area we covered this morning and we should.

On a long shot, I told Dorothy to turn into Red Rock Canyon FS CG. I thought we might snag a site being 10:30 in the morning. Surprise, we are one of four in the CG. This place is usually full. So we have a paved spot to park - no red mud on the rig. Plus they have water and dump. Life is good.


Dorothy sees Sheep on the right

It's been 11 days since we got groceries so we can get a few things in Panguitch and more in Page in a few days.

If the rain is not enough to trash the roads, we can try to get to the Pinnacles tomorrow.

Saturday, October 9 - We stopped just north of Kanab, found a parking place on Hancock Road, and got lost trying to find Red Canyon. There are several staging areas for the numerous trails in Hog Canyon where Red Canyon. After ten miles on the worst roads ever - caused by ATVs - we got to Red Canyon about 3. Too late for much light to enter the narrow slot. We walked about halfway as it's Dorothy's fav slot.

We call these cow patty rocks



Red Canyon Slot

I asked a few people and studied several maps, but I still have no idea where the Pinnacles are located in Hog Canyon.

Dorothy was too tired to fix dinner and suggested we eat in Kanab. Escobar's is a fav of ours and so we went there to find it's closed on Saturdays! We wound up at Subway, with three very disinterested workers. They were out of most breads and did not even have any oil and vinegar.

Most people use the interstates to get between Arches, Capitol Reef, Bryce and Zion. In doing so they miss the wonders of UT12. Fine with me as I like to drive about 15mph on sections of the highway. We left Capitol Reef, parked just outside of Bryce [in the rain - grumble] and are now near Zion wheeling the sand roads adjacent to the park. We get the scenery without the crowds. Besides the CG's are full with reservations only.

Our camping fees so far this month are $15.50.

Sunday, October 10 - The roads dried out fast, at least in Kanab. But cold weather is coming. Snow Tuesday and temps in the mid '20s for several days after. We don't want to, but it's time to head south and east. First heat, now cold weather, and smoke for pretty much of the five months we have been on the road.

We decided to have another go in Hog Canyon to the White Throne. On the way, I hooked into the deep sand and we had fun playing in it for a half-hour. 

We got back to KoKo at noon and headed to Kanab for lunch at Escobar's. In another half-hour, we were at the Contact Station. We thought we would park in the "premium" spots on the mesa, but the road was washed out.

Monday, October 11 - We left Utah. Sadly. Down the sorry road of US89. We parked in the forest just north of Flagstaff. Dorothy is making pork chops and sweet potatoes for dinner. Big front moving through - high winds.

Tuesday, October 12 - High winds and some rain continued through the night. It was 27 this morning.










1 comment:

  1. The play of light and shadow on the massive sandstone structures during sunrise or sunset adds a magical touch to the experience. Accessible by unpaved roads, the journey to Cathedral Valley is an adventure in itself, offering a sense of seclusion and tranquility.

    ReplyDelete