Monday, October 13
In the last episode of “RVSue and her canine crew,” Bridget and I wait for a cold and windy day to pass in order to break camp and head further south from Salina, Utah.
Today is calm and we leave our free camp outside Maple Grove Campground.
A shortcut takes us through the little village of Aurora (yes, named for the Northern Lights). We board Interstate-70 and whiz past Richfield, eventually picking up Route 89 to Panguitch.
We go past the turn to Bryce Canyon National Park.
My original plan, way back when we camped in Sinks Canyon near Lander, Wyoming, was to visit Bryce on the return trip to Arizona. Well, an extended stay at that beautiful Antelope Flat boondock (you know, the one on a peninsula), plus the time we lingered among the fall foliage at Ivie Creek, used up a lot of the remaining good weather. We will come back to Bryce Canyon some time in the future when I can fully appreciate it.
Before reaching Kanab, I take the turn for Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park!
The crew and I stayed at this state park in May 2012. I want to take advantage of its amenities, namely dump, water, shower, and trash. The campground fee has gone up to $20 a night.
This is the only campground I’ve experienced where one is assigned a campsite.
Fortunately we are given a pretty site. It’s a pull-through and level. I set up my lounger on the concrete pad in the shade of a juniper tree. As usual I toss Bridget’s old, beat-up, brown-and-plaid bed next to the lounger. I bought her a new bed but she loves the old, ratty one.
Once camp is set up, we go for a walk around the campground.
The place is filling up. The air temperature is perfect, probably in the high seventies. We’re at a lower elevation here (6,000 feet), than at Panguitch or Salina to the north.
Bridget glides in her stroller over the paved road of the campground loop.
She sits calmly with me pushing her along. Her head turns from side to side, taking in the sights (The above photo was staged later and she wanted to sit sideways.)
Most of the campers are here to drive their Off Highway Vehicles in the 1,200 acres (90%) of dunes set aside for that purpose.
God bless the Coral Pink Tiger Beetle!
Ten percent of the dunes are off-limits to OHVs, thanks to the Coral Pink Tiger Beetle, which is found nowhere else in the world.
Tuesday, October 14
Due to my frugal nature, as well as my aversion to the constant revving and roaring of combustion engines, I’m ready this morning to find another camp.
I’ve discovered a good strategy during my 3+ years of “living on less and enjoying life more.” Go to a state park or commercial RV park, take care of dump, water, shower, and trash, and then leave the next morning.
For me, paying $20 or more per night to camp is like walking around with a hole in my pocket while twenty-dollar bills fall out and blow away. I can’t help it. That’s the way I am. If I won a million dollars in a lottery, I’d still live in the Best Little Trailer and I’d still pull it with the Perfect Tow Vehicle, a 2005 Chevy Express Van with over 145,000 miles on the odometer.
First thing this morning I trot over to the shower house.
The shower alone is worth the twenty bucks — It’s clean, the water is hot and there’s plenty of it, plus the water pressure is great. Amazing what one values when living simply!
Next I pack up and pull out (I didn’t unhitch) of our campsite, stopping at the nearest water pump. I fill up the one-gallon jugs and get out the fresh water hose to fill up the tank.
Then we zip over to the dump station. That task done, I toss our trash in the dumpster. Before leaving the Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, I stop at the day use area. A cement walkway winds up to a viewing platform. I leave Bridget in the PTV.
As I gaze out across the dunes, I receive a lesson in the power of light.
When the crew and I were here in May two years ago, the color of the dunes was vivid — like one would expect, a stunning coral pink. Today the color is washed out by the harsh, cold, winter light. The two photos I post here were taken as we entered the park when the glare of the sun was momentarily blocked by clouds.
Oh, well . . . I was fortunate to see the dunes in full color when I did . . .
Off we go to our new camp only a few miles away!
Coming up . . . Ponderosa Grove Campground, a drive into Kanab, and a tour of Best Friends Animal Sanctuary (the latter a birthday gift to myself!)
rvsue
NOTE: Thank you for the happy birthday wishes. You are so good to me. I had a wonderful day which I’ll write about soon.
AS ALWAYS, THANKS FOR SHOPPING AMAZON THROUGH MY BLOG!
Why a photo of two hogs? I don’t know. Because they were there?
