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 Iowa - Nebraska

Background: For the last two years we had taken our extra compact car along with us to run around in while at our winter destination so we would not have to drive the diesel truck. Well with gas they way it is we figured it up and determined that if we didn't take the car we could drove the pu 2500 miles sight seeing for the same amount as driving the car down and back. And we also had trouble with state parks wanting to charge for the extra vehicle. 
Escaped Iowa just ahead of some big storms with large hail and high winds and landed in Nebraska to sunny skies. Was worried the trip might get off to a bad start but lucked out after driving through downpours just east of Omaha, NE on 80.
This time we cut off west at Linclon, NE and took US 34 (blue road) accross to Grand Island. Stayed at George Hall Clayton Hall County Park just north of the interstate 80 at Grand Island for $10 w\e and paved campsites. What a gem of a place. Have traveled by here many times on 80 and never knew it was there.  and then US 30 to Kearney and to the shrine...  Cabela's Outfitters.  Had to stay in their very expensive campground. Just because. Oh and spent money there also. It was so nice not to have to fight the trraffic on Interstate 80 this time. And I could go 55 or 60 mph and save on fuel. I don't want to, or need to rush down the road at 75. And both roads were in top shape.
From there we were off to the the Poudre River west of Fort Collins, and to cross Colorado on a northern route. State HY. 14.
No big passes until going down into Steamboat Springs on US 40

Well we didn't stop to get fishing lic before getting into it and as we keep on going west we passed up the campgrounds that could hold or big rig.  We kept moving onward looking for just the right spot and we never found it.  Had to back out of one campground. When we finally stopped it was west of Steamboat Springs. NOT a good day.. Guess we were still in vacation mode and just couldn't bring ourselves to just shut it down, stop and camp in the FIRST nice spot, which was Oh SO Many miles back. Pulled off into a one starr RV park in Steamboat and they wanted $43.50 for a spot. Didn't take long to pull out of that rip off. Found a CO state park on down the road.
Friday Sept. 16  In Utah
We did land the next day at Dinoasaur National Monument in Utah and camped for three days on the Green river in the park ($12 a day, no E). We had planned to head up north to Flaming Gorge and fish the Green river below the dam... BUT like much of our trip so far this was was a bust also. The road US 191 to the gorge from Vernal, UT. was way to steap with 10% grades and 19 switchbacks to pull our 5er over and the campground was not near the river and had, had a fire go through and was not a destination campground at Ducth John. Will not need to go back anytime soon.
So thoughts of heavy fishing the Green was off the table. Things at this point we not going well. And did I mention diesel was running $2.75, then, $2.89 then $3.03 then, $3.15 and now $3.20 a gal. as we get more west. 
There are NO people traveling or in the campgrounds... wonder why!  You just don't run to town for a Sunday paper which is 20 miles away. The drive would cost $6 for  $1.50 paper. Another reason why satellite internet access is almost a must.
Monday Sept. 19
Made a sort day of it and found Starvation State park at Douchesne. We had thought UT parks charged $5 day fee and $14 for camping. But this one has primitive camping for $8 and was told no day fees when a camping fee is paid. Liking UT state parks more and more.

Will be heading down through central UT on US 191 and St 10 and 72 to check out Fishlake National Forest in the days ahead.
It makes a world of differnece resourching where to go and stay by using the web access we have. We got off to a rough start but have lots of time and need to just learn to slow down and do better planing.
Tuesday Sept. 20
Woo someone put a mountain in our path this am heading from Duchesne on US 191 to Price, UT. 
WOW I thought we we back in Colorado. But trusty Duramax held the way and we made it down the pass ok. Stopped in Prices and the follow pic would make Tioga George proud. 

Do Not Park here lot while the Chevy dealer got us right in for an oil change. So after that and a propane stop, and gas we were on are way. Diesel at Smith's foods $3.01 Price, UT. We had stooped at WalMart and asked the greater where to find propane and she directed us to an out of the way place with a lower price. When we told the woman at the propane place about the directions she said Oh that was my mother, She is the greater there.
Went a few more miles on St. 10 and are stopped at Huntington State park. Terry is going fly fishing tomarrow in streams just west of here.
So a day off the raod as we have been hitting it way to hard. Again the camp host came rushing up to great us as this place is also nearly empty.

Wednesday Sept. 21
We are still at Houghton State Park,  have decided to stay another day, then will move on.
Woke up to a gorgeous sunrise, and got a fantastic shot of the early morning color on the butte to the south of the lake. 
Cleaned up in the trailer a bit, surfed on the web and had a very relaxing day of it.
Thursday Sept 22 (Terry reporting)
Moved today, but not far.  Got a late start, and left Houghton State Park about 10:30.  Only went about 40 miles today so the timing made little difference to us.  We have decided to go slow and relax.  After rushing to get everything ready to leave Iowa, and then a couple of big days driving we were a little stressed out.  We are having a much better time taking it slow, Besides we are only 400 or so miles from Quartzsite and they are still getting day time temps in the high 90’s

Made it as far as Millsite State Park just outside of Ferron, Ut.  Millsite is a nice little park on the edge of a reservoir.  Arrived about noon, set up the trailer, fixed a bit of lunch and relaxed under the awning. The water levels are quite low but there are still a few locals coming out with their boats to fish. Millsite St. Park. $14 a day no electric water at each site. They even provide the water hose. great campground hosts. 

Friday Sept 23 (Terry reporting)
Went sightseeing today.  Drove the forest service road to Ferron Reservoir above our current camp.  The road is well maintained and has real road rock (crushed limestone) on it, not a bunch of pea gravel. We have decided to keep this place in mind for future use, but it will be quite a pull for the truck to get the trailer to the top of the buttes.  There are some steep grades, and some very narrow places with very long drop offs on the outside edge. The lake below is Millsite St Pk. where we are staying. At least 2000 ft higher at this point.

It evens out a bit with Aspen groves in fall colors.

Stopped along the way a couple of times to look and stretch, and explored a couple of side roads.  The Forest service campground at Ferron reservoir does not amount to much, but there are several very nice boon docking sites along the way.   The Road we were on, forest road 022 continues on past the reservoir and would eventually go to Mayfield, Ut.  It also dissects the “Skyline Dr.” a couple of miles past the campground. 
Skyline Dr we found mentioned in much of the Ut literature as one of their scenic drives, but with the price of diesel fuel running between 3.09 to 3.17 per gallon will forgo the loop up to Cleveland Reservoir where the Forest Service road meets hwy 6.
Saturday Sept. 24 (Terry reporting)
Staying at Millsite State park through the week end,  waiting to see what will happen with hurricane Rita coming  ashore today.  So far it looks like the people of Louisiana and Texas will have a bit of good luck and storm will not be as intense and damaging as Katrina was. 
Had an interesting experience with the radio overnight,  went to bed far to early last night and woke up at 3:00am.  Turning on the radio, could only find one station, an AM signal which was airing an overnight talk show.  They were convinced that the current batch of hurricanes were being manipulated by the foreign powers to ruin the US economy, and it went on form there.  Later in the morning a “investment” program was aired, which consisted mostly of the ranting of the host. Looked into Sirius or XM radio but found only Sirius had NPR and for now will just get NPR free on the internet.
Later in the Afternoon went for a hike in the canyon just beyond the State park.  Was pleased at the ease of walking, as long as I stayed in the dry stream bed.  Went in about a mile, and  enjoyed the quiet and solitude.

Sunday Sept. 25
Another great autum day with a Sunday paper (hadn't had one for a few weeks) and watching the new shows on TV tonight.
Monday Sept. 26 (Ron reporting)
Headed out south on St route 10 to the intersection of I 70 and went south on St. route 72 and on over to Fish lake in Fish Lake National Forest. What wonderful roads and and views of the high country. We are camped in Piute campground and are the only ones here. It sez $6 a night but there are no pay envelopes so we shall see if a ranger stops by. Several other campgrounds were closed on route 640. The colors are at their peak and life is good.

Piute Campground...  At Johnson Valley Reservoir in Fish Lake National Forest at 8803 ft.  empty except for us.

 Below is Route 036 heading south from Johnson Valley Reservoir in Fish Lake National Forest 
A boondockers dream on this route with parking areas with rest rooms right alone the river with signs welcoming RV camping.
The whole area in Fish Lake Forest has great maintained backroads with all the boondocking you would want.

 Tuesday Sept. 27
Today was to be rain and storms... we did get a few showers and a little thunder abut it is now 5:30 pm and the sun is out.
We took advantage of the day and drove back down to the town of Loa, UT. Our drive on Rte 036 (see the map above) proved to show some great fishing opportunities so we now plan to sataying several days so Terry can fish. He can get his licenice online in UT. That's nice. Nice clean town with diesel at $3.18 and a nice grocery store. No beer in the grocery store. They said we would have to go the the gas station up the road for that. Stopped and they did have some beer. One cold display case. It is hunting season out here and if more then just a few came in they would be out of beer. Having pork roast tonight in the oven in the RV instead of in the Dutch oven outside so as to help with heating inside as it is cool today. Our solar panels and the six AGM batteries have been doing a great job. Have the Honda 2000 gen running right now but could have gotten away without running it I think. The 2000 watt  Xantrex charger\inverter will put out 75 amps on charge to the bat string so it doesn't take long to get them topped off. We were still 13.3 volts when we started the gen. We run the sat internet system and desktop computer and the 24 inch tv with directv at night and limit the microwave use. We have power stips, so when things are not on, their instant on features are dead. And when we go to bed we of course turn the inverter off so ALL stops. We only turn on the inverter when we need it. Like a flash light when not in use TURN IT OFF. As we can use the 12 volt system for most things. We have tried to be very use consciences and will loosen up as time goes on to see what we can get away with. I don't think our DC voltage has ever dropped below 12.4. Don't want to add another solar panel unless it is needed. We have a Solar Boost 2000E to control the solar cells. We are at 13.65 now so are shutting the Honda down. We have not had to use the forced air gas heating unit very much yet (did turn it on this am for a little while) so that will be the big test for bat usage... Stay tuned for that.
Wednesday Sept. 28
Kind of cold windy and rainy... went for a drive to drop off trash and stopped at the resort, campground, boat launch, cafe, c-store here at  Fish lake. They said they would be open for only a couple  more weeks and then were heading to Yuma, Az. There a few more people around as it is the opening of hunting season. The campground is still free and will stay here till Sunday. Look for the REDX  where we are now in central UT.
You can always see where we are at by clicking here to go to the Datastorm Users Map.
Thursday - Friday Sept. 29-30
Woke up and the weather is clear and cold, but will warm up with the bright sun. Turned on the forced air furnace and it had little effect on the bat. volts.  It is now about 1 pm and we are solar charging at 15 amps. 
Terry bought and printed online his fishing lic and has gone off to fly fish where the creek flows into the Johnson Valley Res. 
The forecast is for clear and warmer through the weekend and then turn really cold next week. That should make the hunters happy this weekend.  Our Datastorm unit sez we are at 8803 ft. and with it turning much colder next week we will  head for lower ground and a little further south on Sunday. Looks like a stop in Richfield, UT. for supplies. and tentatively to Fremont Indian State park.
The Public lands Information Center web site sez $9(correction it really is $11) for camping. And should be good fishing on Clear Creek in the area.

So on Sunday we should be at Fremont Indian State park.
Will want to take some or all of the Kimberly/Big John Rd Scenic Backway.
May drive part way down from our Fremont campsite and then part way back up from the Beaver 
side as I don't think we will try to pull a big 5er on this backway.

After Fremont for a few days if the fishing is any good, plans are to go to Beaver, UT. and back into the Fish Lake Forest and camp 
along Route 153 at a FS camp site or in the dispersed camping areas listed on the FS web site.
(camping areas link not available when I checked... it should come back up) 

Late Friday night.... The news shows a Hurricane moving toward Baja peninsula.
Extended forecasts expected a weakened Otis to bring rain to parts of the southwestern United States by early next week.
We shall have to see how that affects our travels.
Just got an email from DirecTV. They are adding 67 channels of XM radio to their lineup and replaceing their current music channels.
 This will work good boondocking in Quartzsite. Will only need to have the DirecTV box on and will retransmit it into my FM radio.
Having only the DirecTV box on will use less power then the internet sat rec and trans boxes and the desktop computer all powered up for streaming audio. And I almost went out and bought XM radio. But I haven't yet because either XM or Sirius did not offer PBS "The Morning Report or "All Things Considered"  But still will not get those programs but will get most others for free with my DirecTV account.
Next we are off to Fremont Indian State park..... 
and Southern Utah, Nevada and Arazona. 
Tuweep on the north rim of the Grand Canyon and boondocking overlooking Lake Mead.