Monday, June 30
After a very warm Sunday without the usual breeze, the crew and I break camp this morning and say goodbye to Pelican Lake, southwest of Vernal, Utah.
Our practice run up the ten switchbacks of Highway 191 going north toward Flaming Gorge was a success! It gave me the confidence to tow the Best Little Trailer up that steep and windy road.
I check the oil (good) and gas up in Vernal. A stop at Wal-Mart for groceries and we’re on our way! At Steinaker State Park, I dump tanks and take on fresh water ($7 reg/$4 senior discount).
The day is sunny and bright.
The landscape as we ascend the mountain is stunning, much more than the photos I took on a rainy day (posted previously). The Perfect Tow Vehicle gives a steady pull in 2nd gear. The last and steepest section, between the 9th and 10th switchback, I shift to first gear. Since the engine temperature only increases slightly, I don’t make any rest stops on the way up, preferring to maintain our momentum.
It’s gorgeous on top of the mountain!
I turn onto Red Cloud Loop Road (we drove the west end of this road through Dry Canyon recently) and travel through aspens, spruce and firs on a wide, paved road, eight miles to East Park Campground in Ashley National Forest.
I turn onto the road that goes to the campground. We go over a creek and through a meadow.
The reservoir and boat ramp come into view. Lovely!
As we enter the campground a deer leaps up the bank and into the road. It stops, glances quickly our way, and disappears in the trees. Gee, that’s a nice welcome! I discover to my delight that no one is here!
I pick the site I like best and let out the crew. The piney, cool air is invigorating!
Bridget, Spike, and I walk down to the pay station and deposit the fee envelope ($8 regular/$4 senior pass). I pay for two nights. We can use this as our base camp to explore. Maybe I’ll move us to a boondock.
“Okay! Let’s go down to the lake!”
Tuesday, July 1
I’m typing this post in the parking lot of Flaming Gorge Resort/Store, connected to its WiFi.
We would be happy to camp in Ashley National Forest in the Flaming Gorge area for the rest of the summer — It’s so beautiful and boondocks are plentiful!
However, no internet.
I have many photos I’d love to share with you, but this connection keeps dropping. I won’t be able to post as often as I usually do. If you don’t hear from us, it means we’re having a great time at our camp and at Flaming Gorge!
rvsue
THANK YOU, RVSUE SHOPPERS!
I hope you’ll continue to shop Amazon even though the crew and I can’t be here right now! Thank you for your orders. Here is a sample of recent purchases:
Tovolo King Cube Ice Tray
Diono Convertible Car Seat
Camco Water Heater Tank Rinser
Lifetime 4-Foot Adjustable Height Folding Table
Withings Pulse O2 Activity, Sleep, and Heart Rate Monitor
Wilson Electronics Sleek 4G Cell Phone Signal Booster Cradle for 2G 3G and 4G on Verizon AT&T Sprint and T-Mobile Networks with Home/Office Accessory Kit
