Winter Journey – Canyonland NP – October 2016

October 19, 2016January 14, 2017 Carol Carnicom2 Comments

to-canyonland-125 — Autumn colors in Price, Utah

Monday, October 17^th, the mild morning temperature turns cooler as the wind shifts from SW to NW.

to-canyonland-130 — The wind shifts, cooler with rain clouds

Leaving Price, the wind does not hamper us, but once we reach I-70, it is problematic.

to-canyonland-132 — Leaving Price, Utah

After getting gas at Green River, Utah, we decide to take a frontage road that parallels the highway, since we are having a hard time maintaining interstate speed. Turns out this road is not maintained and it is a very rough ride until we rejoin I-70. At one point we have to stop because the hitch support post slips and hits the ground.

to-canyonland-142 — Stop for damage report

Near the junction with Hwy 191, which will take us south to Moab, we pull into rest stop located on the top of a barren windswept mesa.

to-canyonland-144 — Barren and windswept landscape

In spite of the wind, we have a picnic, partially protected by one of the shelters, before we get set up for the night. Quite a switch from last night’s lovely spot.

Tuesday, October 18^th, we leave the rest area shortly after 8:00 a.m., as we were advised to be at the Willow Flat Campground in Canyonland National Park by 9:00 a.m.

to-canyonland-161 — Heading to Canyonland National Park

It is a small and popular campground that is filled daily by 10:00 a.m. We arrive shortly after 9:00 and are pleased that the first site, a pull-through with a view, is available. The temperature is mild enough that Clifford sits in the sun to study and I am able to play cello outside after we get set up.

to-canyonland-169 — Perfect site for us

In the afternoon I walk down to the Green River Overlook, a view of the Green River as it cuts its deep meandering channel across the desert.

to-canyonland-196 — Green River Overlook

and later Clifford and I walk down in time for photos at sunset.

to-canyonland-247 — Green River at sunset

to-canyonland-243 — Last rays of the setting sun

to-canyonland-248 — Sunset at the Green River Overlook

We are very pleased to be here.

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Wednesday, October 19^th,I make a small campfire this morning, as I especially appreciate the quiet time outdoors before the busy-ness of the day. Today we make a sight-seeing trip to the Shafer Trail Overlook,

grandviewpt-007 — Schafer Trail Overlook

the Grand View Point Overlook,

grandviewpt-020 — Grand View Point Overlook

the Orange Cliff view point,

grandviewpt-011 — Orange Cliff view point

and then stop for a picnic at the same place we had a picnic last time we were here, over three years ago.

grandviewpt-028 — Canyonland picnic area

In the evening, I walk down to the Green River Overview.

grandviewpt-035 — Mesa to the east of Willow Flat Campground near sundown

grandviewpt-036 — In the neighborhood

grandviewpt-051 — Sunset light at Green River Overlook

Clifford has a sore throat this evening, which is not good. We use remedies that we have with us and hope that he feels better tomorrow.

Winter Journey – Montana to Utah – October 2016

October 16, 2016January 14, 2017 Carol CarnicomLeave a comment

heading-south-131 — Heading toward Butte

It is still windy this morning, Friday, October 14^th, as we leave the rest stop near Anaconda (Montana) and much worse as we head south at Butte. Driving is exhausting and the gas mileage is poor. When we pull into Dillon for gas, we decide to check out the KOA there. Even though it is the most we have ever paid to camp anywhere, in addition to getting out of the wind, we have electricity, free wifi, showers, and laundry facilities. Not only that, it is located right alongside the Beaverhead River and we are surrounded with lawns and trees. I am happy we are spending the night here.

heading-south-150 — Camped by the Beaverhead River

heading-south-153 — Surrounded by lawns and trees

Saturday morning, October 15^th, while clothes wash and dry, we have showers and breakfast and get packed up. Of course, morning photos of the river are taken.

to-canyonland-010 — Morning photos of the Beaverhead River

Monida Pass between Montana and Idaho is barren and gradual – much easier on Blazer than the passes east of Butte, which was our route last year.

to-canyonland-026 — Entering southern Idaho

Much of the route across southern Idaho is flat and kind of boring, until we near the border between Idaho and Utah.

to-canyonland-032 — Southern Idaho landscape

We stop at the last rest stop in Idaho, a sweet spot with lots of trees, walking paths, picnic tables and benches tucked in here and there, and foot bridges over dry stream beds.

to-canyonland-051 — Walking paths at a rest stop in southern Idaho

Walking the paths, I discover a huge untended old apple tree; apples that have fallen blanket the ground beneath the tree. I fill my coat pockets with slightly bruised apples, which soon become applesauce.

to-canyonland-050 — Old apple tree

Sunday, October 16^th, after a good solid rain in the night, the foot bridges now arch over small streams. I gather more apples. We leave the rest stop and soon are driving in heavy rain in Utah.

to-canyonland-070 — Rugged mountains of northern Utah

to-canyonland-075 — Driving in the rain

We take I-84 to the east near Ogden, bypassing Salt Lake City. It is a slow, but interesting drive through the canyon country.

to-canyonland-109 — Canyon Country

When we reach Price Canyon, we discover that the BLM campground where we had planned to spend the night is off-limits to us. So, on to Price and drive around a bit looking for an inconspicuous place to park a 19-foot camper. On the edge of town, a vacant baseball field parking lot is the perfect spot.

to-canyonland-119 — Home for the night in Price, Utah