Mail..Mail everywhere but none to be delivered!

There is so much natural beauty in this part of the country. The scenery, rock formations & foliage is so different than what you find in the midwest that we are awed at every turn. The Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument was our destination last Friday. There are 3 distinct areas that encompass over 1.9 million acres. Most of the area is not accessible by car and the 45-50 mile drive that is, consists of dirt & gravel roads. They are paved, kind of, but still dirt, best maneuvered with a 4 wheel drive vehicle. We actually had to get our manual out to see how to put it into 4WD low, but never needed to use it.

We drove about 1/2 way then back, planning to come in on the north side when we are in Panguitch Utah and see the other half.

We were surprised to learn that this area is a prolific region for dinosaur archaeological digs and has been for many decades. The ranger at the Big Water Visitor Center showed fossils of huge dinosaurs and discussed a recent finding of an alligator fossil approximately 70' long. Alligators are one of the only remaining creatures that date back to the dinosaur era.


"Paved" road through Grand Staircase Escalante.



Unusual rock formations.









We also were able to see the Vermillion Cliffs and hike to Horseshoe Bend -where the Colorado River circles around in a horseshoe format. I also tried a hike to the Hanging Gardens, but I was the only one out there and 3/4 of the way lost the trail. Should have paid more attention when I was a Girl Scout. I could see the trail at the top but couldn't find the trail without scaling a 10 foot rock.


Vermillion Cliffs


Horseshoe Bend. This was the best view I could shoot without
getting too close to the edge...chicken!




Rugged trail of Navajo sandstone.


We had a nice dinner at Antelope Point Marina , the only floating restaurant on Lake Powell for Ron's birthday.


Ron at his birthday dinner.


Another afternoon was spent at Lee's Ferry. A 45 mile drive from Page and the only spot in Glen Canyon you can drive to the Colorado River in over 700 miles of Canyon Country. Here you can view the first rapid in the Grand Canyon. This was an operating ferry from 1872 until 1928 and the area holds a lot of history. Today the launch ramp for the ferry, is used as a gathering spot for all of the river runners to begin their rafting trips down the river. It is also a popular area for world-class trout fishing. The original homestead of the family that ran the ferry is still intact. We took a short walk to view the historic buildings and stopped to have our lunch overlooking the orchards.


Paria Riffle


Original site of Ferry


Rock formations at Lees Ferry


We have delayed our departure for a couple of days, waiting for our mail to catch up.

There are no mail trucks or delivery's in Page Arizona. Everyone has to go to the post office to pick up their mail. There is no pick up from Friday afternoon till Monday morning. We have lived in small, rural towns but never this isolated. We also found out that the mail really doesn't come to the campground, it is picked up by the lodge and then delivered to the campground office. Of course no one bothered to advise us of this unusual arrangement. After 3 trips to the campground office, an hour at the post office and waiting at the lodge for 1.5 hours we got our packages! I love my country and wouldn't want to live anywhere else...however...since the post office is run by the government and the campground is in a national park...run by the government ...I shouldn't have been so surprised by the SNAFU. At one point we thought the Pony Express was still alive and well in this area.

We'll hit the road tomorrow. We were going to make a short trip and stay in Kanab, UT to view Zion National Park, but, since we lost a couple of days, we will go on through to Panguitch, UT and take a day trip back to Zion.

Hope all is well!

Lake Powell & Glen Canyon

Arrived in Page, Arizona Wednesday afternoon. Our start was delayed by 1.5 hours due to a slight mishap with our slide. We normally do a very thorough check of the interior and exterior of the coach before we take off, but this time we both missed an item next to the slide and when we brought it in it hooked on the wood panel and pulled it off. Ugh!! I guess it happens to every RVer at one time or another. Of course we didn’t have the right nails and the car was already hooked up so I walked to the closest store to buy the nails and screws Ron needed to make the repairs. Not exactly how we wanted to start our day, but I got my walk in…for sure.

Page, Arizona is on Lake Powell and surrounded by Glen Canyon. Waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries were backed up 185 miles to form Lake Powell. The canyon is a spectacular geological landscape. Much of the lake can only be viewed by renting a boat or hiking, neither of which Ron can do at this time with his knees. But the observation points, dam & bridge are accessible by car and still provide awesome views.


Our drive into Page, AZ. From a distance we weren't sure the
coach was going to fit!


Scenery along the drive to the campground.


View of Glen Canyon and the Colorado River.


View from Wawweap Point. One of the best views of Lake Powell accessible by car


View from our campsite. Lots of trees, view of lake in distance.

Spent 11 days in Williams, Arizona. Not much to do in Williams, the town claims they are the “Gateway to the Grand Canyon”. I guess because the railway depot is located here.

The rv park is nice with paved spots,not many trees but views of the mountains. We also have use of the hotels' heated pool & spa and a couple of restaurant/bars.

We were suppose to leave Monday but had a problem with the braking system we attach to the car to control the braking as it is being towed. The company sent the part overnight but UPS service to Williams is a little slow. It has been very windy here – sometimes gusts up to 50 mph. In a car it’s manageable but a little difficult in a high profile vehicle. Hopefully we will be able to leave tomorrow and the weather will cooperate.


The Monday after our Saturday arrival we took the train from Williams to the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. A 65 mile trip which takes 2.5 hours by train. Once at the canyon we took a bus tour of the section that can only be toured by walking, shuttle or tour bus. The tour also included lunch at one of the famous lodges. That only left us with 1 hour to view the rest of the park on our own. We were able to view the historic hotel - El Trovar and view an Native Indian ceremonial dance.

Of course, that was not enough time so we drove back up by car on Friday and spent the entire day visiting more of the Grand Canyon Village and drove the 23 mile Desert View Drive. Saturday evening we drove back again to view the sun setting over the canyon. Words nor pictures can describe the awesome beauty of this natural marvel….you have just got to see if for yourself.


View of the Colorado River from Hopi Point. It appears tiny but is actually 500' to 900' wide at any given point.


Close up of the Colorado River


Views from Hopi Point. The canyon ranges from 14 to 18 miles wide...AWESOME!







Views from Mohave Point




Joan waiting for the sunset at Grandview Point. Ron's off talking to someone..of course!


Visitors setting up their tripods waiting for the sunset. They climbed over the wall and down about 30 feet and walked out to the edge....we think they were nuts!!


The beginning of sunset over the Grand Canyon




It's amazing how the same view can change so dramatically in just a few minutes.







Another magnificent sunset!


Our drive home.

The Grand Canyon was on both of our "bucket lists", we are thrilled we were able to view it and had a great time. Moving on to more national parks in Utah.

Hope all is well!

Are We Nuts??

We're glad we extended our stay in Hemet...the weather was great and the park was very nice.


Entrance into the RV park



Park is nicely landscaped.


Three pools


Three hottubs


Shuffleboard pavilion



These people are serious about their shuffleboard!



We made a couple of stops along the way to Williams Arizona. Our main reason for this trip is to see the Grand Canyon. For the last 5 years, anytime anyone asked Ron why he wanted to RV he always said he wanted to see his own country and primarily the Grand Canyon. So that is why we are here....in 30 degrees and snow showers. Within 1/2 hour Sunday afternoon we experienced snow showers, hail, high winds and sunshine. We left beautiful southern California and 80's for this??? Are we nuts?


Our last day in Hemet...a little chilly and windy so we had the entire pool and hottub to ourselves


One of the nice things about attending a rally with other Tiffin owners is you always learn something new. I was in a group complaining about the design of the dashboard and that the GPS and radio are positioned too far away for the passenger to control. That I have to get out of the seat belt and chair to change stations or volume. As I was going on and on finally one of the others asked "why don't you use the remote control?'. My comment...."we have a remote control?". As soon as I got back to the coach we went through the mounds of manuals etc that we received and lo and behold there was a remote control! Now I'm happy....feel alittle dumb...but happy!

We'll keep you posted as we experience Ron's dream of seeing the Grand Canyon!

Hope all is well.

Joan & Ron