Kevin and I have been to different parts of California throughout the years and have always had a great time while enjoying the beauty and diversity of the state. There is so much to see, so much to do. It is quite an interesting state to say the least – it’s artsy and outdoorsy, there is crop and cattle farming, mountains, cliffs and beaches – there is something different at every turn.
As we traveled along the coast we stopped at places we’ve never been, and also at places we’ve been before and really enjoy (Carmel and Santa Cruz).Continue reading
We’re both very excited to see the state of Oregon. Everyone we’ve ever spoken to who has been here says it is absolutely beautiful. After the GPS had us going around in circles in Longview, Washington for about a half hour we arrived safe and sound in Seaside, Oregon.Continue reading
The only time Kevin and I spent anytime in Washington State was for a week last year in Spokane. So we both consider this trip our first “real” visit to Washington.
After leaving our friends Paul & Char in Buffalo, New York, our next stop before heading across the northern tier of the USA to the Pacific coast, is White Pigeon, Michigan. We were scheduled for some preventative maintenance at Quadra Manufacturing for our RV leveling system(Big Foot). White Pigeon is located approximately 14 miles north of Elkhart, Indiana, the RV Capital of the world.
We started our trip from our winter layover in Fort Myers, Florida and traveled up the coast to Pennsylvania. To start our 2018 journey, we drove to the east side of Florida to see the Kennedy Space Center and the Canaveral National seashore.
WOW….a whole summer and most of fall has passed us by! Where does the time go? This has been a very busy time for us and we apologize for not posting in the blog as often as perhaps we should have to keep up with it all.
Living the full time RV life is quite a busy life. AND “it’s always an adventure!” How did we ever get anything done while we were still working?
CAPITAL REEF NATIONAL PARK – After leaving the hot desert of Moab, Utah we headed southwest to the town of Torrey to continue with our Utah adventure of the “Mighty 5”. With Arches and Canyonlands behind us, Capitol Reef is our third to visit.
Carol and I left Grand Junction, Colorado and headed to southern Utah to take in the first two of what’s known as the “The Mighty 5”. The Mighty 5 are Utah’s 5 national parks – Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK (Moab)– With over 2000 incredible rock formations, it is no wonder why Arches National Park is one of the most fascinating national parks in the United States and a place everyone should visit in their lifetime. Remember you can click on any picture in the blog post, and you will see a slide show of large versions of the pictures!
Amazing!
Main street in Moab, Utah
My hiking partner
Don’t get stuck!
Hope Carol doesn’t end up like this guy! (127 hours)
One amazing view after another!
Delicate Arch
Looks like a face!
Double Arch
The park is located just outside of the cool little town of Moab, Utah and is home to the world’s largest concentration of natural sandstone arches including the famed Delicate Arch, which is proudly displayed on the Utah license plate. Towering spires, fins and balanced rocks complement the arches, creating a remarkable assortment of landforms in a relatively small area.
The best hike we did in this area was actually not in a national park! We drove on Potash Rd( also known as the Potash-Lower Colorado River Scenic Byway) outside of Moab. It runs along the Colorado river through a deepening, sheer-walled wingate sandstone canyon for 15 miles. We parked at the trailhead for the Corona Arch trail, and hiked to see Bowtie Arch and Corona Arch. We did this hike in the afternoon and it was HOT! This was the LAST one we did in the afternoon!
Bowtie Arch has a narrow, circular opening – a former pothole – above a streaked sandstone bowl. Corona Arch, which is much more dramatic – a graceful, free-standing curve 140 feet across and 100 feet above the ground, projecting outwards from the cliffs.
We are out in the boonies!
Guess I have to get out the compass!
Hot Hot Hot!
Bowtie Arch
Railway cutting
Got in a good workout while hiking
Carol and the Colorado river in the background
Corona Arch is HUGE!
Corona Arch from behind
My attempt at artistry
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK (Moab) – From the rim you glimpse only segments of the Green River and the Colorado River, which flow together at the heart of Canyonlands. But everywhere you see the water’s work: canyon mazes, unbroken scarps, and sandstone pillars.
What a view!
Hey, would you take a picture of us?
Island in the Sky Mesa
Canyonlands National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Island in the Sky Mesa
Green River running through Canyonlands NP
Island in the Sky Mesa
Island in the Sky mesa
Island in the Sky Mesa
The paths of the merging rivers divide the park into three districts. The high mesa known as the Island in the Sky rises as a headland 2,000 feet above the confluence. We only spent one day in Canyonlands and this is the area we visited. South of the Island and east of the confluence is The Needles, where red and white-banded pinnacles tower over grassy parks and sheer-walled valleys. Another area of the park is The Maze, a remote region of pristine solitude. The Maze is the least accessible district of Canyonlands. It’s big, wild, remote and untamed. Roads require high-clearance four-wheel-drive. There are no amenities – no food, no water, no gasoline. Needless to say, we took a pass on The Maze! LOL!
Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo – Carol and I also went to see a rodeo in Moab, something neither of us had ever seen in person. The Canyonlands PRCA rodeo was going on at the Old Spanish Trails Arena, which was right next door to the RV park where we were staying in Moab. It was a fun night!
Coming up next? Capital Reef & Bryce Canyon National Parks! Stay tuned.
After our brief stay in Goodland, Kansas, we packed up and headed to Colorado. Neither Carol or I had ever spent any time in the state and were anxious to see it!
We’ll be posting a “Colorado” blog entry soon as our journey will soon take us into Utah for the month of June to see the Big 5 national parks(Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion).
But we decided to throw together a video of something really special we did in the Colorado Springs area – drive to the top of Pike’s Peak!
It was an amazing experience – the views are almost impossible to describe. Turn on your sound, and click below. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed the drive!
When the RVFoodys web site editor-in-chief(aka Carol), told me I need to write a story about my new favorite sport, I was stumped for awhile. Hmmmm, how to describe this game? OK, here goes.
When the RVFoodys web site editor-in-chief(aka Carol), told me I need to write a story about my new favorite sport, I was stumped for awhile. Hmmmm, how to describe this game? OK, here goes.
