Wandering Toward "Home"

Finally, it was time to say goodbye to the family and head south. It was hard to say goodbye because this was the first time I have lived in a different state than they and for the last three years, we had lived only four miles apart and seen each other very often. Now, we didn’t know how long it would be before we’d be together again. After lots of hugs and a few tears, I drove away and for the first time, really felt homeless and alone.

My second night on the road was spent in Twin Falls, Idaho, and I’d definitely recommend it if you’re in the area. There is a tourist center right by the exit with lots of good information from the friendly volunteers there. There is also a path along the rim of the Snake River Canyon with fantastic views. The bridge over the river is one of the highest I’ve seen. The site where Evel Knievel attempted his motorcycle jump across the canyon is a mile away from the bridge, and looking at the canyon, I can’t believe the man was sane to even consider it. The drive to the Twin Falls is a short distance away and frankly, I was a little underwhelmed. The drive there is strictly city until you’re ready to descend to the falls area, then it’s very steep, curvy, and narrow. I believe it’s the first time I’ve used first gear to go down a hill. Once down, the falls weren’t that high and didn’t have much water going over the edge, but maybe that was the time of the year. A large power plant detracted from the scenery as well.

One travel tip I’ve learned from experience: If driving across a high mountain pass bothers you, do it at night. You have no idea what’s out there. After failing to sleep one night in the Salt Lake City/Provo area, I finally gave up at 3:30 and got back on the road. I headed east, noticing that the outside temperature was 54 degrees. I drove up a winding narrow road and eventually noticed it seemed colder in the RV. I checked the outside temperature and it was 29 degrees! After another hour of driving the winding, now-descending road, the temp was back up in the mid 50s. I could only catch occasional glimpses of steep cliffs and high peaks, but not often or clearly enough to be worrisome. Piece of cake!

I arrived in Moab later that day and checked into the campground where the Class B RV Rally was going to be taking place over the next five days. That’s the greatest part of RVing: meeting other RVers and renewing old friendships. It was a wonderful five days! Rallies are fun, but they can also be very tiring, even for dogs…

During that time I visited Arches National Park twice, but road work kept me from seeing as much of it as I would have liked to. What I saw was beautiful, though, and the Interpretive Center was outstanding. The mountain range visible from the campground was snow-free while I was there, but the night before leaving, a rainstorm came through the area, and the next morning, the mountains were snow-capped! Quite a surprise, since the temperatures down at the campground were only in the low 50s.

After leaving the rally, I followed the route recommended to me by one of my friends familiar with the area. It was a great recommendation and I’ll pass it on here in case you’re ever out that way. From Moab, drive north to I-70, then south on Hwy. 24.Continue on 24 to Torrey, then turn south on Hwy. 12. Allow yourself a LOT of time to travel the approximately 124 miles along Hwy. 12…not only is it a winding, up-and-down road, but it’s so beautiful that I found myself stopping very frequently for picture-taking and just to drink in the views. I had never heard of the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument prior to this trip, so it was one of the wonderful surprises along the way.

I arrived at the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park not too long before sunset and the campground was full, so I went along to another beautiful campground farther along the way and planned to come back to Bryce Canyon the next day. The public campground I found was in Red Canyon, in the woods with a gorgeous view of the canyon walls. I parked next to a very nice couple who were celebrating their anniversary that day, and was invited to join them for a glass of celebratory wine around their campfire. There were no electric hookups at the campground, so I was careful not to use anything except for a light that was only on for a short time. I knew my battery was weak and that I’d need the furnace in the morning. (The propane furnace needs electricity for the fan.) I set the thermostat for 58 and went to sleep. At 5:00, I woke up in a very cold camper to the low battery alarm. It was 45 degrees inside and 27 out! I started the engine and warmed it up with the van heater while I dressed and packed up to leave. At that point I decided I needed to get down to lower altitudes, so I missed Bryce Canyon. Next time, I hope!