The weather forecast allowed for a more northerly journey than can usually be taken safely so early in spring. Vic planned our trip to begin across Utah and Colorado. Utah's Route 12 is one of America's Scenic Byways. It winds through Bryce Canyon, Grand Staircase Escalante and Capitol Reef National Parks. Every inch of it's 124-mile length was awesome.
Our first stop was at the Red Canyon Botanical Area Visitor Center. It was too bad - sort of - that it was too early in the season for the campground to be open. There are seven unique and rare plant species that it would have been fun to find. And the colors of these formations for which it was named are vivid. The variations are due to the different amounts of iron and manganese present.
These hoodoos were directly behind that center. Hoodoo has at least two definitions - a pillar of rock, usually of fantastic shape, left by erosion. The second is to cast a spell. These formations surely fit both definitions. Carved by wind and weather this Claron Formation (colorful limestone) is a photographer's dream.
This was one of two unique tunnels leaving Red Canyon heading for Bryce.
The campground at Bryce Canyon National Park had plenty of room. The timing was perfect. We had a quick early dinner and headed out to see everything we could into the couple of hours before sunset.
More wonderful hoodoos
Pronghorns that were unimpressed with the tourists.
WOW!
This hoodoo is "The Hunter". Note the trees on top.
Rt. 12 wound through Grand Staircase-Escalante National Park with often grand views of 75 miles or more.
The route through Colorado was pretty spectacular as well. After winter in the desert, Curecanti National Recreation Area was quite the sight. We followed along this waterway for 25 miles or more.
What good timing. Here on the Continental Divide (click on the photo below to see the elevation) the road was open and dry. Less than a week later they had a storm that dumped another load of snow.
A nice roadside stop for lunch. Pike's Peak is in the far distance at 14,110 ft.
A few years ago we discovered that Kansas has fishing lakes. Each county has at least one and the camping is free. This is the fourth one in which we have stayed but definitely it has the prettiest campsites. The camping at these lakes require advance planning as there are no amenities. We carry enough water to shower, cook, etc. and don't worry about having electricity. This is Brown State Fishing Lake in Hiawatha, KS. Roughing it???? I don't think so.
It was lunchtime when we crossed the Mississippi River from Hannibal, Mo to Hull, IL. A sign after crossing pointed to the John Hays Recreation Area. It looked as though it would be right by the river. How nice a spot that would be!
The route through Colorado was pretty spectacular as well. After winter in the desert, Curecanti National Recreation Area was quite the sight. We followed along this waterway for 25 miles or more.
What good timing. Here on the Continental Divide (click on the photo below to see the elevation) the road was open and dry. Less than a week later they had a storm that dumped another load of snow.
A nice roadside stop for lunch. Pike's Peak is in the far distance at 14,110 ft.
A few years ago we discovered that Kansas has fishing lakes. Each county has at least one and the camping is free. This is the fourth one in which we have stayed but definitely it has the prettiest campsites. The camping at these lakes require advance planning as there are no amenities. We carry enough water to shower, cook, etc. and don't worry about having electricity. This is Brown State Fishing Lake in Hiawatha, KS. Roughing it???? I don't think so.
It was lunchtime when we crossed the Mississippi River from Hannibal, Mo to Hull, IL. A sign after crossing pointed to the John Hays Recreation Area. It looked as though it would be right by the river. How nice a spot that would be! It seems the news of flooding in Mo, IL and IN was not exaggerated. It's a good thing we didn't plan to camp here. We did, however, pull down the steps and have lunch by the mighty Mississippi. Then Vic backed up 1/4 mile to turn around to leave.......
That's Hannibal, MO on the other side. A few years ago on our way west there was the fall festival that we enjoyed for a few days. They closed the streets for all the vendors' tents and pedestrian traffic. We enjoyed the festival and all things Mark Twain that the town had to offer.
The lunchtime view
Before leaving IL we spent the night in Kickapoo State Park. The park is in a wooded area where morel mushrooms grow. This was the beginning of the season and people come and camp and hunt the mushrooms. The campground hosts invited us to hunt the gourmet treat.
That's Hannibal, MO on the other side. A few years ago on our way west there was the fall festival that we enjoyed for a few days. They closed the streets for all the vendors' tents and pedestrian traffic. We enjoyed the festival and all things Mark Twain that the town had to offer.
The lunchtime view
Before leaving IL we spent the night in Kickapoo State Park. The park is in a wooded area where morel mushrooms grow. This was the beginning of the season and people come and camp and hunt the mushrooms. The campground hosts invited us to hunt the gourmet treat.When dinner was over we were tired. Physical activity and the waning daylight convinced us that we would pass up that special opportunity.
A neighboring camper stopped to visit with Vic and showed him some morels that he and his wife had picked earlier. When he left he handed Vic the bag.
Here they are - soaked and draining - ready for cooking. Wonderful delicate flavor! Thank you wonderful, generous stranger! We won't forget you.
We still had to cross IN, OH, WV, PA and a small portion of NY before returning to our front yard. 2,845 safe miles in 7 days! Vic was a driving machine. He stayed alert and aware every mile, mile after mile, day after day.
We still had to cross IN, OH, WV, PA and a small portion of NY before returning to our front yard. 2,845 safe miles in 7 days! Vic was a driving machine. He stayed alert and aware every mile, mile after mile, day after day.It was a wonderful winter. We can now bask in the memories of new adventures in new locations with new friends. Thank you Ash Meadows National Wildlife Refuge staff for welcoming us back and keeping us occupied with new and interesting challenges. Thank you Jeep Junkies for all the great adventures.
We have been invited to return for the 2009-2010 winter. The Good Lord willing and the creeks don't rise, that is our plan.
