10-2-16 - Heat Escape - Day 52

                                                                         On the road

We planned to hike Horseshoe Bend and The Lower Antelope Canyon today.  Our plans changed when we saw the people at both.

We didn't even slow down when we saw the people at Horseshoe Bend.  We had hiked there 5 years ago with hardly anyone there.  Been there, done that, so we continued on to Antelope Canyon.

When we got to the canyon, there was a long line of cars waiting to get in, we decided to ride around Lake Powell for a few hours and come back.

We went to Lone Rock and checked out the campers on the sandy beach.  We saw one car that was bogged down in the sand.  We aren't planning on taking our camper there.  Although, the car that was bogged down was off the beaten path.

                                                                          Campground

                                                              camp on the beach

                                                               the car that got stuck

We went to Wahweap  for our picnic lunch.  We were the only ones at the picnic area, although it was like a freeway of  campers arriving across the road to the campground.  We enjoyed our nice, quiet, gorgeous view of the lake while we ate our lunch.

We went back to the Antelope Canyon and was told there was a 2 hour wait.  We decided to go to Antelope Point on Lake Powell.  It was another beautiful place.  It is one of the prettiest marinas we have ever seen.

                                                           walkway/road to the marina

We had a windy ride back to camp, but at least the temperatures was in the 70's.  The last mile before our turn to Lees Ferry Road, the wind was a strong, side ways, steady gust.  Glad the wind wasn't that bad for the whole 45 mile ride back.

We decided tonight was the night.  We would go to Navajo  Bridge  and look for California Condors.  Lauren wanted to check out a boon docking site, so we passed by the bridge and went exploring in the truck.  After a few miles, he looked on Google Maps and we were on the wrong road.  It was a very unique secluded road, just the wrong one,

We got to the condor viewing area, walked about half way of the bridge, and saw a pair of condors under the bridge.  We stayed there for about an hour watching them jump, fly, and perch in the cliff.

                                                           California Condors

We got lucky again.  We have seen 4 condors in this area.  We have been there and done that.

We will try for Antelope Canyon again tomorrow.  Wonder if it will happen or not!

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/ubuSfMsvQMCN8umQ6

10-1-16 Heat Escape - Day 51

                                              rafters on their way this morning

I had a meltdown last night, literally, it was too hot in the bedroom to sleep, the door to the flush toilet bathroom next to us was open and the light was blinding me in my bedroom window, and there was a noisy generator running at what I thought was 10:30 pm.  Quiet time is 10 PM to 6 AM. 

I got up, put on Lauren’s tee shirt, my glasses, my shorts and flip flops and went to the flush toilets to move the wedge from the door  that was allowing the blinding light to come inside my bedroom window. Got back in bed, and again, I was furious, there was a loud generator running.  I contemplated of going over, knocking on the door and asking them if they might shut it down being it was quiet time zone in the campground.

Luckily, I didn’t go knock on the door.  I didn’t realize we were on Mountain Standard Time.  It was only 9:30 pm, so glad I didn’t make a scene.

Today is our 35^th anniversary of our first date.  In modern times of face book, it would have been called “in a relationship,” bet ours has probably lasted longer than most of those posts.

This morning, we decided to go to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  For some reason, I thought it was 60 miles, it was more like a 100 miles one way.  It was 73 degrees, we left in short sleeve shirts, no jackets required, (at least for a little while).

The one thing Lauren wanted to see in this area was the California Condors.  We rode Amber down House Rock Road about 2 miles where they release the condors. It was a dusty, washboard road. We got there and a guy with his dog named Emma was there, and a bunch of cows.  The guy had a really impressive spotting scope, kept talking to someone on a 2 way radio. (By the way, I still have dust paw marks on my clothes from Emma.  She was a sweet loving dog,) Lauren was looking through the spotting scope set up for us tourist while gazing at the cliff and saw someone walking on the cliff.  The guy told us they were working together, (this was the guy he was talking to on the radio), and had released some condors last week and were checking on a particular one. We found out according to their GPS, there was one in the cliff and one flying above the cliff.  The guy left for another area to try to find the troubled condor in the cliff. We had planed our picnic lunch at the Grand Canyon, but decided to eat lunch and watch a little while longer.  About half way through lunch, Lauren spotted one. While he was taking pictures, I was watching through the scope.  I was amazed watching the condor flying, especially when he flapped his mighty wings.  Again, AMAZING!  Then I thought I was seeing double, but I wasn’t. there were 2 condors, and then a Raven started bullying them.  Unbelievable.

                                                             2 condors and a raven

It got cloudy and cool, so the jackets were required to continue our climb in elevation to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon.  We went up about 5000 feet in elevation from camp.  The aspens are changing colors and are beautiful this time of year.  Lauren called one section of the road "Avenue of Aspens." One thing is for sure, the Grand Canyon is a lot bigger at North Rim than across the road from camp.  We hiked around the visitors center and took in the breathtaking views of the canyon.  We were cool and  in the 50's on the ride up, so we put on extra layers and gloves for our ride back.

We stopped by the Navajo Bridge where the condors were supposed to be at 5:30 pm. Again we were on the wrong time, and there were no birds.

Back at camp, we saw a double rainbow.  It must be a double kind of day, 2 condors and a double rainbow.  Can’t beat this.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/1CgEw1ZSEE66rxPz9

9-30-16 - Heat Escape - Day 50

                                                             Good Morning

As bad as we hated to, it was time to go back to Walmart, restock and change the oil in the truck.  We drove 45 miles one way to get her done.

                                                             Beautiful drive to Page

They really did a good job, they had the oil changed in about an hour and the interior of the truck was cleaner than when we got there.  Great service at the Walmart in Page, Arizona.

We ate lunch at the Great Wall of China Buffet.  A very good buffet. Then we went to the visitor center in Page for information regarding the Antelope Canyon tours, where to spot California Condors, and hiking.  The woman at the visitor center was very informative. 

We got back to camp and explored on a 4 mile hike, we had no idea that the Grand Canyon was so close to camp.  Another great hike, just not as many steep cliffs.  Whew!!

                                                               Paria River (MUDDY)

We watched the rafters at the boat ramp getting ready to leave for a 23 day trip on a guided tour.  They are camping here for the night.  The 23 days explained why there was so much PBR on the boats. 

                           

We unloaded Amber.  Looking forward to a ride to the North Rim of The Grand Canyon tomorrow.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/ULTi6eY6q6VvaTeT8

9-29-16 - Heat Escape - Day 49

                                                                     Bye Goosenecks


We moved 200 miles to a nice, quaint, almost primitive campground overlooking the Colorado River  in the Glen Canyon Recreation Area.  A breathtaking view.

                                                              Hello Lee's Ferry

It rained most of the night at Goosenecks State Park; we got up this morning and decided to go toward Lake Powell in Page, Arizona.  We called the two campgrounds in Page and found out they were full.  So we decided to bit the bullet and go out of our way to Lees Ferry Campground.

We traveled most of the way in light rain; we made it here around 3:30 pm hoping for a campsite big enough for us.  We found her!!!!

The campground has no camper hookups, but has flush toilets and a place to gather water and wash dishes.  An upscale to most of our dry docking.

Fernykat had to come out when we got here, she gave us her approval, then we noticed she was digging stickers out of her feet, and ready to go in.  Poor baby, she was in agony because of the cockaburrs.  Lauren went in and removed them from her paws while I plucked the stickers around her favorite tree.  Hopefully, she will enjoy her outing tomorrow.

We have quite the entertainment tonight.  We have drunk Indians across the road in tents, (that can’t sing), playing anything from rap to country to rock in roll,  while they are burning something that smells really bad, (glad I’m retired and  don’t have to worry about a drug screen).  We have some foreigners next door that are literally airing out their laundry.  But we also have a couple that have been coming here for 39 years and getting their same spot, and a another nice full timer at the end of the road  that was going to town and asked if we needed anything. 

                                                                   entertainment

                                                                 laundry

We have found our home for the next few days!!

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/2DUNczh35eyRJ2Hy5

9-28-16 - Heat Escape - Day 48

                                       

                                                                 On the road
                                                           
We moved 25 miles to Goosenecks State Park.  We rode Amber here Sunday, liked the scenery, picked out a camping spot, and parked in it today.  It is a beautiful boon docking site overlooking the river.  We have plenty opportunity to people watch as the numerous tourist stop by for a look.

our site

                                                                        our view

We hiked about 6 miles around the cliff today.  We debated on getting Amber out of the garage or going in the truck to Moki Dugway and Muley Point.  We were wise to choose the truck on the dusty, curvy, bumpy, washboard roads. The views at Muley Point were similar to Gooseneck State Park only higher in elevation.  Gorgeous views!!

                                                        end of the road (hike) picture

                                                                       Moki Dugway

                                                                    Muley Point views

It was not supposed to rain until tomorrow.  We came back to camp, and the rain started.  Oh well, Mother Nature is hard to predict.  It stopped raining long enough to grill burgers over the campfire and stargaze.  The rain is peppering again, so to bed we go.

                                                                  Goodnight

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/jDKcick3hCHfWtdi6

9-27-16 - Heat Escape - Day 47

                                                      Bye Devils Canyon Campground

 After a week of dry docking, it was time to move to full hookups.  We relocated to Cottonwood RV Park in Bluff, Utah.

We decided not to unhook the truck from the camper and not to unload Amber.  We walked about a mile to Bluff Fort and took our time looking at all the cabins and exhibits.

It was time for the camper to get a good cleaning.  After I got the camper clean, I took a long hot bath.  You realize how good it is to run water freely after conserving for a week.

We bellied up on fried Rez catfish, watched a little TV, and hit the sack.

Pictures: https://goo.gl/photos/62dTjE5kodHsBcBB6