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 Sunday September 24

We have landed just north of Moab, UT after a long day all the way from Rawlins, WY.

Maps from Public Lands Info Center Main site.   Click  to zoom out the above map.
We drove through the Colorado River Scenic Byway. WOW Don't miss it if in the area. It is like being able to DRIVE through the bottom of the Grand Canyon. I did a float trip of the Grand Canyon on the same Colorado river. Both that and this were fantastic.
We found the campgrounds full on Route 128. Didn't think that would be the case but it was. (see the above map)
So we kept on going (A bad trait I have is to pass up campsites looking for a better one and then it gets late and dark). We got to the official BLM 14 day boondocking area which is 8 mi. north of Moab on Hwy 191 and 8 mi. west on Hwy 313  Turn right on top of the mesa. It is about right about where the 313 Hwy sign is on the above map. We got here 45 min from sunset so all was well.
After 3 days of $22 each day, this is more like it FREE. My kind of campsite. We are staying here for a few days and explore the area. Looks like Hwy 313 goes right into Canyonlands Nat. Park and also will take a look at Dead Horse State Park. 16 miles from Moab is not bad for supplies. So here we are, happy hour while doing this update and now a shower and supper of leftover beef stew. Not bad for a LONG day on the road.

On to Monday, we'll explore more of this BeeHive State. You did know that was the slogan for Utah, didn't you.
 

Monday September 25
 

 Had a very productive  day, trip to town, collecting supplies, hosting a mini rally, and another move.  When we arrived on Sunday it was after a very long drive from Rawlins, WY and we neglected to get water and groceries on the trip in.  After a leisurely breakfast and a few very frustrating calls to the local chamber of commerce inquiring about water and other rv services we went to town. 

When we asked about getting water from the Chamber of Commerce we were given their standard answer, "Go to the RV Parks. They charge a "small" fee and there is no other place to get water or dump your RV!"  The City parks department was even more clue less, "We never had anyone ask that question before."  So we went into town expecting to be clipped and shorn.  Our first stop was at the Moab Visitors Center, and it was well worth our efforts.  They handle a lot of travelers every year and there is a wealth of free information available, along with topographical maps, and guide books for sale.  We picked up a large handful of literature to help plan the weeks ahead.  At the information desk they were quite helpful, but it was still the company line about buying water and services from the RV Parks.  The people helping us wanted to say more but seemed reluctant,  They knew who was paying their salaries, and had probably been told in the past what was what and who was who!  On the way out we made the happiest discovery of the day, when we spotted a hand bill pasted to the wall telling of FREE water at a spring north of town, and FREE water at the 66 station.

The spring on the North side of town has been improved on and we were told it is safe to drink, but its just a pipe coming out of the side of the hill.  A bit awkward when it comes to filling 15 gal water jugs.  The 66 station told us that the water was free part of the services they offer, of course we were putting $70.00 worth of diesel fuel in the truck.  Also while filling we noticed they have a dump station on the side of their property, and they gave us a note for a free dump since we had bought fuel.  They offer free dumping with a fill-up. The people of the 66 station were extremely helpful and their price for fuel was competitive.  We highly recommend them to anyone , they support our lifestyle with the services that they offer and we should support them. 

We took a little side trip in the morning, complete with a bit of back road adventure, driving west along the Colorado river on hwy #279, which paroles the river down to a potash plant at approximately mile 20.  After the plant the pavement ends with a fairly nice gravel road that goes on into the canyonlands.  The road is built right nest to the canyon wall and there were numerous places where we saw rock climbers.  There are also several trails, an arch and dinosaur tracks.

Back at Big Mesa we decided to move again and had the trailer packed and were emptying the water into the tanks when we hosted the first occasional random mini rally.  Our data storm neighbors both came over to introduce themselves, talk to Ron and watch me as I loaded water into the Trailer.  Technology is a wonderful thing,  It keeps us in touch and expands our horizons.

The mini rally over it was time to, hook up the trailer and pull all the way to the top of the hill 
(about 100 yards) to a better camp sight with a better view.

Tomorrow we are off to Arches and while exploring will have to hunt up a tank of propane.

 Tuesday September 26

Got up late, had french toast and headed off to Arches National Park. Moab, UT. I (Ron) like this getting up late stuff, got used to it all summer. 
I'm a nite person and Terry is a morning person. Works for us.

You can see the Visitor Guide [1.2mb PDF file] The official newspaper of Arches National Park. Eight pages of feature articles and visit recommendations. Includes park map. Screen quality/color.

After, went to Moab to get a bolt for the 5er hitch rock plate that broke. Lucky we saw it. and a refill bottle of propane (30 lbs. at $2.80 a gal. for $20.73 (because they can). Now back at our new site with the expanded view. It was only 100 yards from the old one, but I'm picky when it comes to the perfect campsite. I love high up views and this has it all. This has to be one of the best sites (and FREE) to camp we have ever found, as we talked about it last night around a campfire (so it was just a wax fireplace log) (didn't give off much heat but looked great, especially if you break it up for a bigger flame) and looking at the falling stars and a clear view of the Milky Way. WOW has been awhile since we have been able to have that great a view. Once high up at 10 to 11 K feet in Colorado but that was many years ago but that was in a pop up and cold. The direct link for the details for this Big Mesa BLM location listing is at http://www.freecampgrounds.com/detail.aspx?id=1595

People sharing with People... What the Internet does Best! 
Temp hit 80 today and forecast is for more of the same into next week.

Wednesday September 27

A lazy day in camp, got up late (what's new) and we had a couple of small omlets and toast. About noon went for a ride in the canyonlands back roads. Found several great new boondocking campsites futher out on the same road as we are on. 

 We drove out to the point and back in the above picture. 
Terry found a great agate rock motherload and added a bunch to his collection bucket. 
The rock club members in Quartzsite are going to be verry happy.

Our solar power is working great. Even with the sun low in the sky and the panels not tilted we were fully charged by noon and that was with Terry on the computer much of the morning. WOW.

Tomorrow off to visit the Dead Horse State park (see the above map). $7 day use fee. The National parks are $10 but good for 7 days. 
Will go to Canyonlands Park but want to do it one of the last days here, (and don't know when that will be yet)  as we can then enter the south entrance within 7 days on the same ticket. More on that later with, pics, maps and links to the Canyonlands Visitor guide. 
(Hold on we we'll get there, we're not in a rush. The weather is great and we're loving it.)
Just checked, the temp is 105 in Quartzsite, AZ  WOW don't want to get there for at least a month.

Thursday September 28

Got up had a little breakfast ( I like one egg (no yoke) on whole wheat toast. Works of for me with DB II. Terry hit the web and I read a chapter in my latest Jack Reacher novel. 'Killing Floor'  Was time to go exploring again. Subs were made for a picnic lunch and off we went.
Just a few miles down the HW 313 to Dead Horse Point State Park. It's on the above map. 

After we paid our $7 day use fee at the entrance booth we stopped at the Visitor Center and a BIG sign on the door said that on Sept. 30 it would be FREE State Park Day.  Do you think we could have held out till Saturday to visit. HELL yes. My shorts bunch up enough as it is, so not to get excited. Just moved on. We thought this would be the lesser of the places to visit compared to the National Parks. Right next door is Canyonlands National Park don't ya know. Just a few  miles past the turn off to the state park.

We ran into a person in the Visitor Center complaining about NO water in the campground for his rented RV (class C). It is 32 miles back to Moab. Sometimes you just have to plan ahead. 

So we drive out to the point for the view.  Now this, I was not expecting. It doesn't get much better. Terry is in the shot and below is a panorama at about the same spot. Got this free panorama software from The Adventures of Tioga and George.
See the road? You can drive from Moab next to the Colorado river and get way back into the area and come back out in Canyonlands park. There are some great drives that can be done in just 2 wheel drive vehicles. We might try a drive but not this time around.

Next off to Canyonlands National Park.
Back out of the state park and to the left for a few miles.
We stopped at the Visitor for a well done video on the park and the area. Do see it!
The pit toilets (no water remember) were the cleanest I have ever seen in any park. Fresh paint and no smell. Spotless! I told Terry you could eat of the toilet seat. Well maybe not. We headed into the park and took pictures but the one below is what I wanted to share. Would you believe the state park offered much better views. At the Green River overlook (below) was just about the only place you could see the river. But worth it overall. What, we weren't going to go and see it, since we were here? If you're into hiking go for it. When I retired, got lazy, mistakenly thought I deserved it, and gained weight. And you wonder why you only see Terry in the pictures.

Now as promised the links to more info at Canyonlands National Park  Main web site.
The entrance Park News  [773K PDF File] Screen quality/color.

A pork roast is in the oven.  Terry wanted to do it in the dutch oven. Told him to put it instead, in the RV oven and go rock hunting. 
We can do over a fire anytime. Tomorrow is rock hunting north of Moab, he got a tip from the locals on where to go looking. 
He just told me he had to promise not to tell where it's at. I tell him to just go play in any old gravel drive. No gems there....

Time for a shower (we are still 3/4 full of fresh) and then supper. Might just fire up the DirecTV and see what's on. We haven't had it on for days. 
Asked Terry to get the Honda gen. out, if we need it. Another fantastic night in the Canyonlands of Utah. 

Thanks for your emails... we do love to get them!

Friday September 29

Last night we went to use our Honda 2000eu generator and it didn't run right. Hadn't used it all summer. Thought we had it ready, changed the plug. New gas. So a new thing to look into. Got to get that fixed for the winter. It runs, both in high and auto mode, but needs a little choke to keep up to speed when in idle with no load. It does rev up in auto when the big inverter charge kicks in.  So might just be the alt. of 5-6K feet where we are at. Will get some carb. cleaner and see. At least it starts and runs but just needs a little more choke. Not the big a deal we hope.

But beyond that you are just going to have go back to the main www.hitchitch.com site and read another RV adventure, since we did absolutely nothing today except get up, eat, work on the web, and read novels. So an off day... You never have one of those DO YOU? 
Rock hunting was put off for Saturday or so. Just to nice to do anything... 

Saturday September 30

Went rock hunting just west of the Moab airport. We didn't tell you that. Terry had great luck and found some of the largest specimens ever. Very happy. The 4 wheelers were out in force since it was the weekend.  Added Andre's blog to Hitchitch as he is camped close by and we were able to meet him. Saw his datastorm unit set up. Do go to his blog at www.spicygoliath.com Born in South Africa now roaming the west.

 Go Forward for our move on Sunday to Needles Overlook area and some more great pictures.