More UT

On Friday we moved to the Snow Canyon SP located just NE from St. George. Water and electric sites for $25. Your view is of your neighbor.

We’re spoiled. On the other hand, there is good hiking right from the campground. Carol and Gopher stayed in the camper and I went hiking.

Dammeron Valley-Snow Canyon

There is a grocery store in this area named Harmons. Sort of a huge Whole Foods/Trader Joes idea. Very nice. $$$

Monday, Tuesday

Headed a little south to the Beaver Dam Wash National Conservation Area.

Beaver Dam Wash

A Joshua Tree forest

A long way down

A campsite right on the edge of the canyon.

Moon rise. January 31. AZ/UT border.

On Tuesday, Gopher started to get worse. Carol wanted to head home so Gopher could be in the comfort of her house so we did.

On the way home we discussed, once again, selling the camper. We have been traveling for eighteen years.  Come Spring, we will decide one way or the other.

Hurricane and La Verkin, UT

Sunday, January  21
A bright and sunny day.  Spent the morning driving around St. George. The main St George LDS temple was beautiful. Should have taken a picture.

This is a picture we took of the Sand Hollow Reservoir SP where we stayed on Saturday and Sunday.
They have disbursed, shoreline camping, as well as two campgrounds. The beautiful shoreline area looked softer than I would care to drive the camper on. There was a sign saying that the park does not provide towing services.

The red sand, blue water and snowy mountains

In the afternoon we drove to the Hurricane/La Verkin/Virgin area to scout disbursed camping sites. The one Jim and Gayle recommended on the Virgin Dam Road was the best. Even with all the rain, the site was fairly dry.We’re going to move over in the morning. It should be drier after today’s sunshine.

Our campsite on Virgin Dam Road

Our view of Hurricane Butte to the north of us.

Morning coffee with Gopher

Monday - Thursday

Drove all around looking for disbursed camping sites and just enjoying the beauty. Took a ride to the La Verkin Overlook (where you can look down and see the town), Sheep Bridge Road from SR-9 to SR-59, the Kolob Reservoir Road Scenic Backway and the Smithsonian Butte ( Gooseberry Mesa) Road Scenic Backway also from SR-9 to SR-59. The Smithsonian Butte Road is a very scenic Backway  but, unless you're driving a high-clearance, 4 WD vehicle, do NOT enter the road at the SR-9 side. The first few miles are steep, narrow, muddy and very rocky. The SR-59 side is wide and well maintained. There is some good disbursed camping along Gooseberry Mesa Road. Accessible with an RV from the SR-59 side.

We drove the Mesa Road, a narrow and winding road , to the top of the Hurricane Mesa where there is a government test facility. Its a very long track where rockets can be tested. Great views of the surroundings mountains.
View from Mesa Road

Still cold at the top.

Didn't make it all the way to the Kolob Reservoir.

Along the Smithsonian Backway.

Came across two very good restaurants. The River Rock Roasting Company and  the Muddy Bees Bakery. The owner of the bakery is a bee keeper and a baker. We bought some of his honey to put on the cinnamon bread.

River Rock

Muddy Bee

We move on in the morning. Not 100% sure to where, but someplace we have never been.

Seeking warmth

Wednesday, 01/17

It was 7* when Gopher and I went walking about 5am. Anymore, I’m up and about by 4 or so.
Finished the packing and on the road before 9.  Because of the weather and the mountain drive on I-70, I didn’t fill the fresh water tank. Just brought two gallons in bottles to us for the bathroom and bottled water to drink.
Thr welcome Center in Fruita has a nice dump and water fill so I took on water there. Continue on to the Rabbit Valley/McInnis Canyons National Conservation Area.

Rabbit Valley/McInnis Canyons

We’ve stayed here before and driven some of the trails.  A very convenient location at MM 2 in CO.


The winter storm forecast for this weekend seems to be strengthening so we decided to head south toward St. George and, hopefully, explore some areas around here on our way back.

Thursday
Spent the night at the Minersville County Park campground west of Beaver, UT. $20/night. As expected, it was just us. A very nice campground on a large lake. I suspect it’s very popular with the locals come summertime.

Friday
 Instead of getting back on I-15, we took CR-130 south to Cedar City. A nice ride through mostly agricultural land and rather blah high desert.
Drove through the Kolub Canyons section of Zion NP. It’s a five mile one way drive. Out and back.
We drove to Zion NP and stayed at the Watchman Campground. With the pending government shutdown, they would only accept payment for one night.
The weather was nice so we drove all through the park.
Started raining about 9pm. Cold.

Saturday
Cold with a mix of rain, sleet and snow. No sun in sight.
 At about noon time, the campground host came by and we were told everyone must leave the campground that day because of the Trump government shutdown. Because of all the recent rain and the forecast cold weather, the host, who was very familiar with the area, suggested we head to the Sand Hollow SP. That’s where we are now. Full hookup sites at $28/night.
Our camping plans involved disbursed camping in the Hurricane area but the roads would be solid mud. Another day.
Driving here, we saw dozens of Jeeps. Turns out there is a huge rally going on this weekend. There are lots of really serious Jeeps in the campground with us. Fun to look at.

Still can’t figure out how to include photos when using the iPad.