We finally left California after almost two months in this State. It IS a large State, after all. We crossed the border into northern CA on October 27, 2017, and didn’t leave CA until January 23, 2018. One of the main reasons we made this trip to begin with was to visit Rob’s mother in southern CA, and also visit with other relatives and long-time friends. We did that, spending half the month in Long Beach, CA. One month ago, we’d just arrived in Long Beach & were beginning a very busy schedule of visits. EVERYONE, it was so nice to see you! But after two weeks in the infamous southern CA traffic in an extremely busy City, we were ready to move on. As we left the Los Angeles area, we already missed our friends & relatives, but breathed a sigh of relief as we left busy freeways and drove into the desert. This time spent in the eastern part of southern CA, in the desert, was a surprise to both of us. Expecting it to be hot, dry, and boring, it was lovely and we enjoyed, once again, spending all day at National Wildlife Refuges and camping off-road at BLM land without all the amenities. Clean air abounds. Quiet, what a concept. In winter, the weather was perfect for us. For us, temperature-wise, any other time of year would’ve been unbearable. We plan to do more traveling throughout the deserts of NM, AZ, NV, and CA in a winter in the future. We travelled 1,124 miles in the RV last month, lots more miles if we add what we travelled in the car, too. We stayed at 7 different campgrounds in CA, AZ, and UT. The scenery we’ve more recently encountered in northern Arizona & southern Utah may be the best we’ve ever seen so far. Cannot wait till next month!
Saturday, February 10, 2018
ZION (West).
Day 153 – We were up a little before 7:30 a.m. 32 degrees and cloudy. The campground was full when we woke up; everyone came in during the night. I awoke around midnight smelling smoke inside the RV. Panicked, I got up and discovered it was from the campfire next to us. (Tonight we’ll close all the windows completely. We usually like to leave a window or two open at night for fresh air.) Anyway, two cars had come in late and they were setting up camp. They ended up putting up two tents. for 6 people. Although the sites are reasonably spaced from each other, they set up one tent right next to us, so close that we could almost touch their tent from our dining room window.
Friday, February 9, 2018
Day 152 – We slept in, 32 degrees at 8:30 a.m. & sunny. The kitties really like it here due to the ample sunlight which comes into the RV most of the day. Plus, since we have electricity here, they have their heated pads. Happy girls!
Thursday, February 8, 2018
Day 151 – We were up by 8 a.m., and neither of us felt like rushing out. We have things that need to be done around here & felt like just sticking around & relaxing. 35 degrees and sunny, not a cloud in the sky. By noon most of the campers had departed, and the campground was about ¼ occupied. We paid for three nights but will probably stay longer; it’s nice here.
Wednesday, February 7, 2018
Day 150 – Windy last night but it was still out this morning. At 8 a.m. it was 36 degrees, sunny & clear. We packed up to leave Lake Powell and departed at 11:05 (after dumping and getting fresh water for our next stop).
155 miles
Tuesday, February 6, 2018
ANTELOPE CANYON.
Day 149 – We got up at 6 a.m. this morning, 44 degrees & still dark out. Today we’re taking the early morning Lake Powell boat tour.
Monday, February 5, 2018
PAHREAH.
Day 148 – Beginning of Week 22. We got up at 7:30 a.m., anxious to get out and see more of this incredible scenery. 35 degrees, mostly sunny. Decided to take a drive west on Route 89 to a couple of dirt roads into remote areas.
Sunday, February 4, 2018
Day 147 – Much warmer last night; at 7:30 this morning it was 42 degrees & sunny, no wind. We sat around in the midst of this incredible scenery catching up on the blog, me – the writing and Rob – hundreds of pictures to weed out. We keep discovering more & more things to see around here. We can’t wait to get out & take even more pictures. I think we’ll stay longer than 3 nights. The friendly rabbit hopped thru the campsite this morning but we didn’t have the camera ready when we saw him or her. I’m sure it will be back.
Saturday, February 3, 2018
THE PAINTED DESERT.
Day 146 – A change of plans yet again – are we losing our minds? No, there’s just so much to see! We figured we’d go ahead and try to do it all. So after sunrise at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, we’re heading for Lake Powell on the border of AZ & UT.
157 miles
Friday, February 2, 2018
Day 145 – It was 19 degrees again this morning, but it warmed up quickly as the sun rose. The girls really like it here, and what’s not to like – private, quiet, lovely, & it’s free. Very peaceful, and the helicopters only come over maybe once an hour from 9:30 to 3:30 or so. Without them, the silence would be deafening, LOL. I imagine in the summer season there’d be a lot more helicopter tours than there our now.