AZ - Antelope Point Canyon Campground

 After our Boondock Adventure at Lone Rock we had to refresh and restock before moving on to Lee’s Ferry so we decided to check out the other Campground in town.

It was a nice and clean campground but the site we had booked was suppose to be 70 feet long and while it mentioned ‘no turf’ we still assumed we be having some yard.

The site was NOT 70 feet long but 60 (we measured) as we were hanging over in the back and front. If you go on their website it does state that all sites are 70’.

Then the site was a narrow concrete pad and when you stepped out your door you stepped into a rock landscaping section. Oliver and Keetna were not amused. There are lots of sites with turf which is of course nicer but ours was the only one available when I booked. Turf also translates from $50 a night to actual $90 a night. So since we were here for just 3 nights we made due. There were a couple of other quirks however. They have a community fire pit and BBQ are but to get to them one has to walk through other campers sites as there is no separate path leading to it. I looked but struck out. The good parts were it looked very clean, wide roads to maneuver and while the two shower rooms where in a trailer they were nice, large and clean as well.

It is of course located by the Marina and you can have a cart pick you up from your site to drive you down to the Marina. A nice service indeed and we did love going down there. A nice gift shop as well as the Restaurant we ate at before we headed to Lone Rock.

Over all we got done what we needed but we will try another campground if we return, the Wahweap Marina Campground. We checked it out and they have a nice layout and access to Lake Powell as in a swim beach, boat rentals etc etc. 

AZ - Lees Ferry

Nature and history collide in this wonderful area of Arizona. This gateway into the Grand Canyon one can watch rafts launch on their adventures through the Canyon and one could choose from a 7 or 10 day trip. There are 90 rapids to conquer with the first itty bitty one right there by Lees Ferry where the Colorado River intersects with the Paria River (called a riffle).

There is a beautiful sandy beach to enjoy (the Colorado River is however ice cold) but for the brave, one could go for a little swim.

The campground is a FCFS and has many sites with about 5 spots that can fit some bigger rigs. We found one the first day that barely fit us but were able to move the next morning when a larger one opened up. No hookups but a dump station and water is available. Quiet hours are from 22:00 to 6:00. 

The one negative in the beautiful place was me getting accosted by two humans who took offense to our size as well as us using our generator during cooking time which was well outside the quiet time which we always honor. I tell you some people are just miserable and they love to judge others. Truly sad for them but not our loss for sure.

I got several hikes in which were wonderful. The Lonely Dell Ranch with its beautiful orchard, old farm buildings and a cemetery. Right on the Paria River which meets the Colorado River just about a 1/2 mile down stream.

Of course there is the history of John Doyle Lee who the Ferry and Area is named after. His connection and part in the Mountain Meadow Massacre is dark and heartbreaking and it shows one can’t outrun justice for long. 

I also hiked the River Trail and we explored the Navajo Bridge and saw the American Condor which is a sight to behold. 

One night Ron and I got to sit and listen to two fellow campers play bluegrass music on their guitars. So beautiful and relaxing. No city lights or noises other then the dark sky.

Ron and I also celebrated our 25th Anniversary here and went to a local restaurant which served native dishes and was very good. They even treated us to a yummy expresso and ice cream dessert 🍨 

We really enjoyed our week here and it was perfect for relaxing, soaking in nature and learning more about the rich history out here in the West.

UT - Kanab - Grand Plateau RV Resort

 What a most beautiful area but then almost everywhere we stopped so far in AZ or UT we fell in love with the scenery.

Stopping here in Kanab also had the gift of us seeing friends we made on Page, AZ, Jamie and Christopher.

The RV Park for one was wonderful with nice pull thru’s, a wonderful dog park that Oliver loved and a heated pool with a hot tub. 

We explored the Sanctuary and I got a couple of hikes in. Jamie and I rode our bikes around the Reservoir as well as explored some new trails. We also did the hidden Lake and Cave hike. So beautiful.

Ron and I had a very good Cuban Dinner in town and we enjoyed the Happy Hour across the Street at the Dark Skies RV Park where Jamie and Chris were staying.

I had to take a one hour drive to Hurricane UT to pick up more dog and cat food as that was the closest Tractor Supply Store I could find. But the drive was beautiful so it was a fun outing.

I have to admit that as of now Utah is hands down in the top three of beautiful places to see. Maine still holds my heart but darn Utah sure makes anyone that loves the outdoors happy as well.

Colorado is hardly taking a spot anymore. Maybe because we lived there for 15 years but they are quite a bit behind the infrastructure other states provide when it comes to hiking, biking, water access etc. It’s just not compatible. 

UT - Red Canyon (Campground)

 How absolutely magical it is here in the Red Canyon. I admit when we left Kanab I had not yet figured out where we would stay. I knew there was the Red Canyon Campground, there was the Red Canyon Dispersed. Amping option and the North Campground inside Bryce Canyon National Park. Both established campgrounds have no hookups but sites and are FCFS. Of course the Boondocking is free. I got discoursed about the North Campground when I read reviews stating it was established in 1933 and the roads would be narrow and heavily treed. So we aimed for the Red Canyon Campground first and other then the entry (with a big ditch) we got a most wonderful spot. Sadly the water as well as the dump station are not open yet so zero access. It is $11.50 for the night but the site is very pretty and I love how one can get straight on a hiking trail from the campground.

The Red Canyon visitor center is just 1/2 down the road as are the two famous tunnels which are about 1 mile the other direction. 

We did take a drive to the dispersed camping and while it looks nice we found it be limited access for our size, plus finding a level spot could also be a challenge.

Of course in all of this I wish we could have gotten our week back at Ruby’s which I had booked after our stay at Zion but canceled due to impending snow. Now they are booked solid.

So far I hiked on two trails in the Red Canyon and it is a fairytale with those precious hoodoos and rock formations. Magical.

RVing…. A People Watchers Dream

 It is now August 2024 and we left the Oregon Coast to head to the Renegade Rally in Angel Fire that will start in September.

We stopped at a nice KOA Journey RV Park in Green River Utah and this morning we had breakfast with a view and entertainment.

I admit I have been fascinated seeing all the Rental RV’s like Cruise America in every National Park and RV Park we stayed this summer. It has been fun meeting couples and families from all over the world that rent them and explore the West. We met people from all over Europe and many Americans and it’s been fun.

This morning however, I think we witnessed a family that ran out of steam and patience 😉 

We were entertained by counting three kids, ranging from age 8 to 15 and their two very tired looking parents battle it out. First there was the throwing of shoes that flew out the door one by one (they seem to carry a lot of shoes), then the locking each other out of the RV. First one of the kids locked everyone out. Then eventually the Mom got in and locked herself in, at this point I was rooting for her to start it all up and take off. I would have been very tempted (except that they still had the power and water hooked up). Dad seemed at a total loss just walking around aimlessly. Then there was some fighting between the kids and finally after an hour of back and forth everyone was in and the dad disconnected the power and water in record time, jumped in, started the RV and pretty much gunned it out. All in less then 5 min.

My guess by walking the pups and getting a closer look (because I am not nosy but crave information 😉😂) I figured out they were Americans. For one, one of the kids when he walked past me waved and smiled, which I can attest no European kid I know would do to a stranger, no matter how cute the dog. Next, they had one of the bays filled with lots of dead water bottles (no sparkling water was to be seen).

Ah how I love the entertainment. People watching I perfected after all when I was flying and Airports are plentiful for this.

Now RVing you can choose the exposure you like. RV parks are great for this. But we also like privacy so hence why we boondock or use State Parks and COE’s.

Making up stories about people is a gift I acquired from my Dad who ruled in this subject. 

I do hope this family is nearing its end of their journey as in sleeping 5 people in 25 to 32 feet seems challenging even if they advertise it can sleep 6. Brave souls indeed.