Saturday, May 21

“I’m in the mood for a drive.  Let’s go to Valley of the Gods!”

Route 163 takes us westward.

Soon Bridget makes it known that she needs a potty break.  I  park the Perfect Tow Vehicle at a pull-out.  While the crew wanders around, I challenge myself to capture with my camera lens a bird swooping on air currents.

After several tries . . . success!

Well, that was fun. 

“Ready, guys?  In ya’ go!”

Continuing further westward we enter an area of red and coral rock.

Unable to find a place to pull over, I take a drive-by shot.

When we visited the Valley the first time, our approach was from a different direction because we were camped at Goosenecks State Park.

So the drive from this direction is new to me.

Imagine cruising down and up the road in the photo below!

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As the name suggests, Valley of the Gods is a spiritual experience.

Today I’m not feeling it. 

Dispersed camping is allowed here.  This camper is in a parking area where people stop to take photos of surrounding monuments, so I assume they don’t mind being photographed.

It sorta’ kills the mood, know what I mean?  Personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable with the Best Little Trailer sitting next to one of the monuments, spoiling the view far and wide for everyone who visits.  That’s me.  You may feel differently, which is okay.  Like I said, camping is allowed.

I turn us around and head out. 

I first visited Valley of the Gods with the original crew in May of 2013.  It was a glorious day.  My soul was touched by the presence of magnificent monuments in the vast, quiet, emptiness.

Utah’s slogan “Life elevated” becomes real here.

Today, in contrast,  I feel a crankiness coming on, what with the wind and all.  I’d rather not allow a less-than-glorious experience obscure the memory of that first, exceptionally fine one.

(You can see several photos from that visit in the slideshow at this link.)

“We’ve seen enough for today.  We’ll take that beautiful drive home and be happy.”

Sunday, May 22

Complete change of topic!

While Reggie and I accompany Bridget in her car around the Sand Island Campground loop, we come upon an interesting, lightweight, travel trailer.

The owners, a man and woman from Illinois, are outside. 

They graciously answer my questions and allow me to take these pics.

I learn it’s a Micro Lite, the Xtreme model, cargo hauler. 

This one has barn doors in the back.

You can order it with a door that swings up to make a “porch roof” or with a door that swings down to make a ramp.

Recently a reader mentioned her plan to RV solo with her large, aging dog who can no longer use stairs.  A person in that kind of situation or someone with a bike to haul may want a trailer like this.

An article at RV Business website gives details on these inexpensive travel trailers (under $7,000!) which are made in Elkhart, Indiana.   You can also search YouTube for video tours.

Monday, May 23

We are completely out of propane and almost completely out of groceries.  I can’t make a pot of coffee and there’s no chicken for the crew’s breakfast.

Accckkk!  What to do?

Pack up, hitch up, and move out!

Well, I was planning on doing that this morning anyway, just not as early.

I stop in Bluff for coffee and a cinnamon bun, giving the healthy diet started a few weeks ago another hit. After gassing up the PTV, we shoot on up to Blanding, where I stock the fridge and cupboard at Clark’s grocery.  Boy, do I load up on fresh fruits and vegetables!

It’s too early in the morning to buy a rotisserie chicken. 

Instead I purchase a box of fried chicken, hurry out to the PTV,  peel off the skin and crust of a chicken breast, and dole out breakfast to my hungry crew.

I ask a man walking toward the store where I can buy propane.  I find the place easily and once that task is completed, we’re on our way to a new camp!

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CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
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The mountain seen from our new camp!

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