Vacation in Utah.

We are back from our "Cruize America" trip into Utah.  I guess I will tell it with pictures.  We had a good time, put on over 2800 miles - 1000 on the RV- and hiked a lot of miles too.  Grand scenery!!!

We made our way across Wyoming - stopping at a Territorial Prison Museum in Laramie.  VERY interesting!! Especially when we compared it to the JDC that we go to weekly.   We hope to share some of the pictures with the kids at the Detention Center --- show them that they have it pretty good.

The cells were stacked 3 high, there was a room with 3 bathtubs and even a "duplex" - about 6 feet wide.  They made brooms at this prison in days past --- and if you come at the right time (I guess we were too early) you can make a broom to take home.

Our first motel was in downtown Vernal, Utah.....we had a 4 poster bed.

 Then on to Salt Lake City to pick up our 25 foot RV.  We still don't know if we will ever do a trip this way again or not.  But it was something new to try out.  I do think it was definitely better than a tent -- but NOT as cheap as tenting - that is FOR SURE!!        

We are ready for take-off........

Our plan was to tour Hoover Dam first.  We had to find an RV park for the 1st night.  But then we made it to Hoover by 10:00 the next day.

 Hoover Dam is only 8 feet above the record low.  If they go below that -- it means trouble for all the states that receive water from the Lake.

 If you look close at this picture -- there is kind of a "bullet hole" right in the middle (it's actually a vent)-- above that white streak.  That's how far down we got into the dam interior on our tour.  It was "not for the claustrophobic"....but it didn't bother us at all.

 You could see the wood grain from the boards that framed in the tunnel.  I forget how many tons of cement went into this dam - amazing how fast it actually went up. The last hairline"cracks" were found in the 40's....cracks that we could hardly detect if they hadn't been marked.

This is a photo from that "bullet hole" --- we were told to hold our camera outside the vent and point it up.  I got a good shot the first try. --- That's the top of the dam.

Now we have to make it back thru the Arizona Mts at the very most northwest corner.  We know the passage is here someplace..... We are betting on that dark spot in the middle of the picture.

Yup - here we go.

 On to Zion National Park - perhaps (perhaps) our favorite.

That's Gary down there in the bottom. (above photo)

We hiked for two hours up "The Narrows" -- the canyon walls got to be about 15-20 feet apart.  We were in the water most of the time.  But what a trip.  At one point there was a bit of a hard spot --- we had about six "20 something" girls that helped us up a small "water fall" ----- and then it just so happened that when we came back down the canyon - they were at the same spot and helped us down. We got to a spot where I just said "enough".   It was getting harder and harder and we had to go all the way back again.  It was an awesome hike.   I think this is one of the spots that you don't want to be in when there is a "flash flood" -- but the rangers report was "not expected".....so we went - glad we did!!!!

We met so many people from other countries --- and we had some really neat conversations with some of  them.  Scotland, Switzerland, Germany, France, The Netherlands, South Korea, Japan.......  A Park Ranger told us that 60% of the visitors to our National Parks are foreigners.  At one stop in Zion we ran into an "80 something" couple.......we were all looking at up this point in the picture below.  There was a Park Ranger with a scope - looking up at the top.   The other couple  asked if she saw a condor up there.  "No" --- she was watching the people up on Angel's Landing.  So we discussed the route.  This "80 something" couple had done the hike several years ago and after telling them that we had done "The Narrows" - they said we really should go for it.  We would really enjoy "Walters Wiggles" -- which are switchbacks all the way up to "Scouts Landing".  So, of course, we had to do it.   Scouts Landing is that dark wedge on the top of this mountain.

Walters Wiggles

We made it up there where you see that line of people - to the top of that highest rocky point.   We had to hang on to a chain for a good part of the upward route.....with others coming down the same trail.  So it was stop and wait while trying to hang on  - NO I did not enjoy the crowd of people going up and down all at the same time - mostly young people with lots of energy!

Then we looked on to the rest of the upward route.  I said NO WAY - not with all those people coming and going all at the same time.  Maybe (MAYBE) if there were WAY less people and it was a "one way" route.  So for us we could only say we made it to "Scouts Landing".  But it was an awesome hike anyway!!!!

In order to leave Zion and go to Bryce National Park on the "fastest" route we had to go thru a 1.1 mile long tunnel.  For our size vehicle (and bigger) they stop traffic and you get to drive right down the middle of the road. Cost = $15.  We got there at 8 a.m. and there were 3 of us RVers going thru.

Bryce is a totally different type of canyon compared to Zion.  You can be 50 feet from the rim and not see a thing......then you step to the rim and WOW (you can say that backwards too)!!! 

We hiked the Peek-a-boo trail which included part of the Navajo trail. The scenery was grand and I think I took more picture than I should have ---- just couldn't stop!!

As we looked - we began to see "things".....like Marmaduke, a fiddler, another dog with a big nose, Mrs. Doubtfire!! (no kidding - it looked exactly like "her" - she was pointed out to us by our Mule trail guide), and the queen (actually a photo spot).  Then we decided to take a tour -- a Horse / Mule tour.  We both got mules  :)  :)   --- love those floppy ears. 

We were warned that the mules like the "edge" the best because it's the most level part of the trail.  YEAH RIGHT!!  Some spots were a bit scarey - but we tried to put our trust in our trusty steed - and we made it.  It was about a 1 1/2 hour trip.  We had a fun guide and a good group

We were told by all the guide books that sunrise is a must see.  Well --- we saw it - but we saw it in bed --- got up too late to make it for the best photos.  So we had breakfast at the Lodge - rated "ok" by Gary .....and then it was time to head back to Salt Lake City to return the RV.

Being the kind of person Gary is ----- we wrote down all the things that were wrong with the RV.  Things like leaks when hooked up to the fresh water, screws coming loose in many places - inside and out, the microwave ready to fall out!!!!, it took a quart of oil, leaks from the holding tank, etc..

But - all in all - we had a good time.  ????Will we do the "rent an RV" again???  probably not -- but it was a fun time.  We saw wonderful sights and God gave us the good  health to be able to do some really fun things. 

We also thank God for a safe trip --- 2800 miles worth.  It was good to be home again too.  Things are GREEN here!!  We had 4 1/2 inches in the rain gauge when we got home and it's been raining most of the time since we've been home.  YES! the roads are a mess - but as one rancher said "I'm sick of the rain - but I'm not complaining".  We didn't go to the Detention Center at all today (Sunday) but hope to be back again this coming Wednesday.  We are thankful for Julie and Andee who kept things going there while we were gone.

I hope you enjoyed a SMALL portion of our photos.
Gary and Barb