After playing some card games with Tim & Trish on April 2nd, Tom and I went to Las Vegas. Browsed around inside the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop but, since it was after 5:00p.m., we didn't see Rick, the old man, Corey or Chumlee. Pretty neat shop, though. Went from there to the "original strip" on Fremont Street. Lots more "characters" (minions, Michael Jackson, showgirls, etc.) walking around for photo ops than we remembered from our trips to Vegas in the past.
On April 3rd, we went to Death Valley. Not at all what the 4 of us thought it would be. Expected to see lots of flat land w/a few tumbleweeds blowing in the wind and a few cactus. Nope, mountains all around that you can climb and explore. Did enjoy "tasting" the Badwater salt lake and looking behind us at the top of a mountain showing the "sea level" line. Boy, did I feel insignificant!
Arrived at the Grand Canyon Railway RV Resort on April 4th and, after a great meal at the "Pine Country" restaurant, it was fun walking around historic downtown Williams, AZ.
On April 5th, we drove over to the Meteor Crater and then stopped in Winslow, AZ. While "Taking It Easy", we were sad at how depressed this little town made famous by the Eagles is. Had some good burgers at "Dar's Diner" and our waitress said their population is around 10,000 but most of them are in the prison. So, no great support from the local and surrounding communities.
Awesome views at the Grand Canyon on April 6th. Saw some mule deer (huge ears!) and very friendly elk. They'd let you walk right along side of them knowing they weren't endangered. Love that! Tom even made the comment he was more impressed looking at the canyon this trip than when we were there in 2006(?).
Moved to the Lake Powell CG in Page, AZ on April 8th. We went on a tour led by the Navajo Indians to go onto their land and see Antelope Canyon (they won't let you go on your own due to people desecrating the Canyon w/graffiti, etc.). This sandstone canyon is very pretty on the outside but the view from the inside of it, since there are a few holes in the top, is so beautiful w/lots of shades of red, blue, purple and gray. You have to pay extra to go at noon because of the way the sun shines through those holes and gives it a whole different level of beauty.
Arrived in Glendale, UT on April 9th for 3 days. This made the 3rd state we got to add to our U.S. map since we didn't have CA, NV or UT before this trip. Over the next couple of days, we went to Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon and Red Canyon. Saw more unique colorful rock formations, Pronghorns and very nice visitor's centers full of interesting information. Tom thinks he saw a condor too. That would've been neat.
A big disappointment awaited us in Gouldings, UT. Tom really wanted to see Monument Valley, where John Wayne, John Ford and others made western movies and other films. We opted to drive the valley ourselves. 17 miles but we only went about 5 or 6 as the road was horrendous. With the previous problems we'd had w/the camper, I was petrified that something was going to happen to his truck. Not sure but I think Tim & Trish were just as ready for us to turn around and get back to a real road as I was. There was no way the 4 of us would've been able to get us out of a washed-out rut in the road.
All good things must come to an end so on April 13th, we said good-bye to our travelling buddies. They headed north to wind their way back home to Michigan while we headed south to pick up I40. We stopped at 4 Corners for a photo shot of me lying in UT, AZ, CO & NM all at once.
This winter has provided lots of wonderful memories w/great friends and family. We've actually decided to do a winter circuit rather than call 1 state our winter home. So, next winter we'll be in FL, the following winter in TX and then the winter after that in AZ, then start all over again.
Since we'll be seeing most of you over the summer, I'm probably not going to post any more blogs for awhile. However, I know most of you will be seeing posts and pictures on Facebook. Hope all of you have a healthy and safe summer. I'm outta' here!
