Today's activity was a 3-mile hike to one of the Moab area's signature features. An important part of this was a good steep climb up a sandstone slickrock face. (Cindy thinks a quarter-mile; I might have gone for a _third_. It was long, and it was steep.)
The arch itself is almost unbelievable. On the one hand, it's a large freestanding structure that looks like it should not exist at all--and may not forever, anyway. On the other hand, its setting is such that abundant magical scenery is in the view beyond it.
The hike is pretty strenuous, made more so by winds that came up, threatening to toss us off the rocky ledge that was the last push to the arch. It wasn't really quite dangerous as such, but did tend to enforce a certain awareness. It was in our faces on the way back down--and we ate a fair amount of the same sand responsible for the arches and the other fanciful contours of the surrounding scenery.
It felt like 40+ m.p.h. with gusts to quite a bit more. My Tilley hat's double leashes got a real workout--and I never worried about it.
All excellent!
Mark_
_Arcadia_, Moab, UT.
28 April 2014
23 April 2014
SpringCruise14: Commences
After two days' traveling from the Seattle area with _Andy_ , we have rendezvoused with Dick and Evalyn (_Fafnir_) near Capitol Reef.
Our evening at Utah Lake, outside Provo, was pretty exciting. During quite a windstorm and as we sat on board _Andy_, some people came ripping up, having driven the wrong way on the campground road, jumped out, and looked intently out to the lake (just across a marsh from where we sat). We made out a couple of shapes out on the water--which eventually resolved themselves into two capsized kayakers. The wind was blowing them down onto the beach, but it was slow going.
Meanwhile all sorts of emergency vehicles showed up, lights going--and clustered around _Arcadia_.
Long and short of it is that the marsh was impassible, so the kayakers had to walk around to land to our south, where we couldn't see much of the action--and they were apparently without major harm.
This was a good little storm, with gusts to 40 or more--and we were parked broadside to the wind. The next day, we found little piles of small hail in the shadows of plants a few miles away.
Capitol Reef promises to be good. We are glad to be here, and happy that _Fafnir_ is here, too.
Mark_
17 April 2014
_Ruby_ has been sold.
At long last, we have managed to sell our sailboat, Ruby. She was in rather frightful condition outside, after literally years of not selling--no interest at all*--and its seeming useless to try to keep her clean. (The interior was still clean and fairly fresh, which impressed the wife.) It all proceeded pretty quickly once it had begun.
Ruby has gone to a nice family who have boated quite a bit, but never under sail. The sons, 11 & about 8 years of age, are said to be "very excited" about sailing; we think that's pretty great.
* This note about people who did contact me: I have had quite a number of initial contacts. Without fail, they wanted me to contact them back by calling telephone numbers or sending them e-mails outside Craigslist's excellent e-mail obfuscation system. Most, I ignored. A few, I answered using CL's e-mail, asking back "Do you have questions?" None continued the contact past that initial probe.
I have no idea what was up, but something was--and I wanted no part.
The interesting thing about this is that the buyer had seen a paper copy of my Craigslist ad, which Ann insisted upon carrying with her to their truckload sale at the recent Boater's Swap Meet. In the end I actually had to disappoint two interested parties, both apparently "real".
Thank you, Ann!
Mark_
17 April 2014
Ruby has gone to a nice family who have boated quite a bit, but never under sail. The sons, 11 & about 8 years of age, are said to be "very excited" about sailing; we think that's pretty great.
* This note about people who did contact me: I have had quite a number of initial contacts. Without fail, they wanted me to contact them back by calling telephone numbers or sending them e-mails outside Craigslist's excellent e-mail obfuscation system. Most, I ignored. A few, I answered using CL's e-mail, asking back "Do you have questions?" None continued the contact past that initial probe.
I have no idea what was up, but something was--and I wanted no part.
The interesting thing about this is that the buyer had seen a paper copy of my Craigslist ad, which Ann insisted upon carrying with her to their truckload sale at the recent Boater's Swap Meet. In the end I actually had to disappoint two interested parties, both apparently "real".
Thank you, Ann!
Mark_
17 April 2014
04 April 2014
SpringCruise14 - Hotlinks
During a couple of hours' Googling, I found a number of potentially interesting/useful/entertaining web sites relating to our upcoming cruise to Utah. One or two of them lead to iOS apps that might be helpful.
I promise nothing about their suitability or anything.
They are listed here in no particular order, except that any additions would be stacked above what is already here. I have no actual plans in that regard, but I do offer to add anything suggested to me as suitable for inclusion.
04 April 2014
I promise nothing about their suitability or anything.
They are listed here in no particular order, except that any additions would be stacked above what is already here. I have no actual plans in that regard, but I do offer to add anything suggested to me as suitable for inclusion.
04 April 2014
Additions
- Cedar Breaks National Monument 140410
- Canyon de Chelley: An excellent friend who has toured that area a number of times, and who should immediately buy an RV and come "cruising" with us, wrote me: "It was a place [I.] and I consider one of our all-time favorites. It seems to be an overlooked gem of a place." It photographs very well. 10 April 2014
- Utah Senior Adventure Pass: $35. "Anyone 62 years of age or older may purchase the annual day-use pass", which will allow day-use entrance for the pass-holder and up to 7 passengers. I was about to assume that this was for state residents only ("Utah Drivers License or I.D."), but nothing says that specifically. By mail, or (presumably) at a Park gate. 09 April 2014
- Waterpocket Fold - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Pete F. (_Amanzi_) says this is a great feature. 05 April 2014
Original List 04 April 2014
- Activities - Utah Activities Guides
- Allstays Camp and RV | RV Parks Campgrounds
- American Trails: Trail Resources in Utah
- Backpacker Magazine - Your Backpacking, Hiking, Camping, Outdoor Gear, Adventure Travel, and Skills Magazine
- Backpacker Magazine: Hiking, Backpacking, Camping, Adventures; Trip Planning Topo Maps, Aerial Photos
- DOI: BLM: Utah Home Page
- Campgrounds and Camping Reservations - ReserveAmerica
- Canyon Country National Parks on the App Store on iTunes
- Chimani
- Find a Park | Utah State Parks
- Fotopedia National Parks on the App Store on iTunes
- Hikes in Utah | Hikespeak.com
- Hiking Trails, Mountain Bike Trails & Trail Maps | Trails.com
- Hiking Utah's National Parks - iOS Store Top Apps | App Annie
- Moab, Utah Official Tourist Information - Get up-to-date vacation planning information from the official tourism source for the city of Moab.
- National Park apps aid your trek from sea to shining sea | TechHive
- National Parks of the USA | Ryan Gruss
- ParksNReviews on the App Store on iTunes
- RV Parks Near Moab, UT 84532, USA
- RV Parky - RV Parks and More on the App Store on iTunes
- Search for Places - Recreation.gov
- Southern Utah Hiking | Let's go exploring
- Southern Utah Photography & Information
- Utah State Parks
- Top 10 Canyon Hikes in the U.S. Parks -- National Geographic
- Trail Details: National Recreation Trail Database
- Upheaval Dome - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Utah (U.S. National Park Service)
- Utah and Colorado Incredible Backcountry Trails
- Utah Coalition for Educational Technology (UCET): Free iOS App Today - GeoQuest - Zion National Park
- Utah State Parks - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Utah State Parks | Utah.com
- Utah Travel Site | Utah.com
- Utah Valley Maps
- Utah: Backpacking, Hiking and Backpacking Trips | Backpacker Magazine | Backpacker Magazine
- Windwhistle Campground
- Zion National Park and other SW Utah national parks.
SpringCruise14 - Rangers in Utah
SpringCruise14
==============
Travel schedule & accommodation arrangements (as of 4/3/2014).
Formatted & updated. 02:49 PDT 04 April 2014.
Outbound leg added. 00:45 PDT 16 April 2014.
Notes about _Fafnir_'s departure from and return to home added. 19:59 PDT 16 April 2014.
Changed first night's destination; updated the Ls' trailer's name. 17 Apr 14.
Changed or added lines will be indicated with ">>".
Links to places mentioned will be added as time permits; they may _not_ be noted as above.
Corrections will be welcomed; those _will_ be marked when made.
In brief
--------
Cruise Captain: Phil R. (_Andy_).
First Officer: Cindy K. (_Arcadia_).
Collision Avoidance Officer: Ann R. (_Andy_).
Chief Engineer: Dick L. (_Fafnir_).
Morale Officer (Cookie Bureau): Evalyn L. (_Fafnir_).
Dates: ca. 20 April - 20 May.
Destination (turnaround?): Mt. Carmel Motel & RV, outside east entrance Zion; 20 May.
Itinerary
---------
Our Cruise Captain has suggested a route between the Seattle area and our initial destination:
>> Sunday, April 20: Depart; Farewell Bend State Park, Huntington, OR. Changed 140417.
430 miles (from Federal Way).
On the Snake River and the Old Oregon Trail.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farewell_Bend_State_Recreation_Area>
Monday, April 21: Bruneau Dunes SP, Idaho.
248 miles.
Hookups available.
[_Andy_ has] never been there.
or
Three Island SP in Idaho.
About 25 miles beyond Bruneau Dunes.
[_Andy_ has] been there.
Very nice, on the Snake River near a historic crossing.
and
>> _Fafnir_ departs the Kansas City area.
Tuesday, April 22: Utah Lake SP near Provo.
340 miles.
On Utah lake.
Hookups available.
Wednesday, April 23: Capitol Reef National Park Area, Torrey, UT.
173 miles.
Thousand Lakes RV Park
1110 Utah 24, Torrey, UT 84775
(435) 425-3500
@ Highway 24, 2.2 miles west of Hwy 12; GPS: 38.30130, -111.44469.
Confirmation #12292 4/23, 24, 25 (on _Andy_'s card).
Thursday, April 24: Capitol Reef National Park Area, Torrey, UT.
Thousand Lakes RV Park.
_Fafnir_ joins us.
Friday, April 25: Capitol Reef National Park Area, Torrey, UT.
Thousand Lakes RV Park.
Saturday, April 26: Green River State Park, Green River, UT.
Reservations for _Freddy_, _Andy_, and _Arcadia_ made by _Arcadia_ 4/3/14.
$99.00 charged to _Arcadia_'s AMEX.
$25 each plus $8 reservation fee per site = $33 Total per site.
- _Flag_ - site GR 35; confirmation #2-13816649.
- _Andy_ - site GR 18; #2-13816650.
- _Arcadia_ - site GR 36; #2-13816648.
Sunday, April 27: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab (4/27-30 & 5/1).
Spanish Trail RV Park
2980 S Hwy 191
Moab, Utah 84532
<http://www.spanishtrailrvpark.com>
800-787-2754
Sunday, April 27 - Departure Friday May 2.
$42+tax per night
Pay when you arrive.
Confirmation UG 0427.
_Andy_ guaranteed reservations with his credit card [_Andy_, _Fafnir_, _Arcadia_]; each party will pay upon arrival.
Monday, April 28: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Tuesday, April 29: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Wednesday, April 30: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Thursday, May 1: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Friday, May 2: Windwhistle campground, BLM, south of Moab;
GPS: 38.17738, -109.46208
<http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/recreation/campgrounds/canyon_rims_recreation/windwhistle_campground.html>
$15/site, 15 sites, All Year, All ages, Tents, 30 ft max RV length, 6000 ft elev, tables, water, toilets, hike (C).
Saturday, May 3: Windwhistle campground.
Sunday, May 4: Goosenecks State Campground.
Dispersed camping. ("Anchoring out.")
GPS: 37.17482, -109.92679.
Free, All Year, All ages, Tents, 4971 ft. elev., toilets, dispersed (C),
(Cindy comment: I don't think there is water here!)
Monday, May 5: Monument Valley.
May 5, 6, 7.
Goulding's Lodge (and RV park).
Monument Valley, Utah.
<http://www.gouldings.com>
(435) 727-3231
Confirmation #s: 1937, 1938, 1939.
Full hookups.
Confirmations sent to all three parties.
Tuesday, May 6: Monument Valley and environs.
Goulding's Lodge (and RV park).
Wednesday, May 7: Monument Valley and environs.
Goulding's Lodge (and RV park).
Thursday, May 8: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake, & environs, Page, AZ.
May 8, 9, 10.
Page Lake Powell Campground.
849 S. Coppermine Road.
Page, AZ 86040.
Phone: (928) 645-3374.
_Andy_ has made reservations for all 3 rigs. Credit card given to hold sites.
We pay when we arrive. Honor Good Sam discount. Around $21 per site per night.
Confirmation #SB431052.
Friday, May 9: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake, & environs, Page, AZ.
May 8, 9, 10.
Page Lake Powell Campground.
Saturday, May 10: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake, & environs, Page, AZ.
May 8, 9, 10.
Page Lake Powell Campground.
Sunday, May 11: Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Red rock formations?
Kodachrome Basin State Park
5/11 - 5/13.
Water available in park, dump station in park, power?
Reservations made by Mark for our site only.
- _Andy_: site 10.
- _Fafnir_: 20.
- _Arcadia_: 4.
Monday, May 12: Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Tuesday, May 13: Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Wednesday, May 14: Bryce Canyon National Park and environs.
Red Rock Canyon Campground - outside Bryce N.P.
May 14, 15, 16.
BLM - No reservations; first-come, first-served.
>> _Fafnir_ departs for Kansas City.
Thursday, May 15: Bryce Canyon National Park and environs.
Red Rock Canyon Campground.
Friday, May 16: Bryce Canyon National Park and environs.
Red Rock Canyon Campground.
Saturday, May 17: Zion National Park and environs.
May 17, 18, 19.
Mount Carmel Motel and RV.
3020 State Street.
Orderville, UT 84758.
Hook ups, power, and water.
$24 + tx per site, per night.
Showers and restrooms.
Will let us use the laundry facilities associated with the Motel - just let them know we need it and they will tell us when they can accommodate us.
$2 wash, $2 dry; per machine.
_Arcadia_'s Visa credit card is holding the reservation.
Sunday, May 18: Zion National Park and environs.
Mount Carmel Motel and RV.
Monday, May 19: Zion National Park and environs.
Mount Carmel Motel and RV.
Tuesday, May 20: Leave for home @ 300-400 miles per day.
Via Salt Lake City area (TBD).
Cindy will fly out of SLC on the 21st
Wednesday, May 21: Salt Lake to a location yet to be determined
Cindy flies to Kansas City from SL airport.
Thursday, May 22: ?
Friday, May 23: _Andy_ & _Arcadia_ arrive @ home.
(Or not. --Mark_)
Notes
-----
==============
Travel schedule & accommodation arrangements (as of 4/3/2014).
Formatted & updated. 02:49 PDT 04 April 2014.
Outbound leg added. 00:45 PDT 16 April 2014.
Notes about _Fafnir_'s departure from and return to home added. 19:59 PDT 16 April 2014.
Changed first night's destination; updated the Ls' trailer's name. 17 Apr 14.
Changed or added lines will be indicated with ">>".
Links to places mentioned will be added as time permits; they may _not_ be noted as above.
Corrections will be welcomed; those _will_ be marked when made.
In brief
--------
Cruise Captain: Phil R. (_Andy_).
First Officer: Cindy K. (_Arcadia_).
Collision Avoidance Officer: Ann R. (_Andy_).
Chief Engineer: Dick L. (_Fafnir_).
Morale Officer (Cookie Bureau): Evalyn L. (_Fafnir_).
Dates: ca. 20 April - 20 May.
Destination (turnaround?): Mt. Carmel Motel & RV, outside east entrance Zion; 20 May.
Itinerary
---------
Our Cruise Captain has suggested a route between the Seattle area and our initial destination:
>> Sunday, April 20: Depart; Farewell Bend State Park, Huntington, OR. Changed 140417.
430 miles (from Federal Way).
On the Snake River and the Old Oregon Trail.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Farewell_Bend_State_Recreation_Area>
Monday, April 21: Bruneau Dunes SP, Idaho.
248 miles.
Hookups available.
[_Andy_ has] never been there.
or
Three Island SP in Idaho.
About 25 miles beyond Bruneau Dunes.
[_Andy_ has] been there.
Very nice, on the Snake River near a historic crossing.
and
>> _Fafnir_ departs the Kansas City area.
Tuesday, April 22: Utah Lake SP near Provo.
340 miles.
On Utah lake.
Hookups available.
Wednesday, April 23: Capitol Reef National Park Area, Torrey, UT.
173 miles.
Thousand Lakes RV Park
1110 Utah 24, Torrey, UT 84775
(435) 425-3500
@ Highway 24, 2.2 miles west of Hwy 12; GPS: 38.30130, -111.44469.
Confirmation #12292 4/23, 24, 25 (on _Andy_'s card).
Thursday, April 24: Capitol Reef National Park Area, Torrey, UT.
Thousand Lakes RV Park.
_Fafnir_ joins us.
Friday, April 25: Capitol Reef National Park Area, Torrey, UT.
Thousand Lakes RV Park.
Saturday, April 26: Green River State Park, Green River, UT.
Reservations for _Freddy_, _Andy_, and _Arcadia_ made by _Arcadia_ 4/3/14.
$99.00 charged to _Arcadia_'s AMEX.
$25 each plus $8 reservation fee per site = $33 Total per site.
- _Flag_ - site GR 35; confirmation #2-13816649.
- _Andy_ - site GR 18; #2-13816650.
- _Arcadia_ - site GR 36; #2-13816648.
Sunday, April 27: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab (4/27-30 & 5/1).
Spanish Trail RV Park
2980 S Hwy 191
Moab, Utah 84532
<http://www.spanishtrailrvpark.com>
800-787-2754
Sunday, April 27 - Departure Friday May 2.
$42+tax per night
Pay when you arrive.
Confirmation UG 0427.
_Andy_ guaranteed reservations with his credit card [_Andy_, _Fafnir_, _Arcadia_]; each party will pay upon arrival.
Monday, April 28: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Tuesday, April 29: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Wednesday, April 30: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Thursday, May 1: Arches & Canyonlands National Parks and environs, Moab.
Friday, May 2: Windwhistle campground, BLM, south of Moab;
GPS: 38.17738, -109.46208
<http://www.blm.gov/ut/st/en/fo/moab/recreation/campgrounds/canyon_rims_recreation/windwhistle_campground.html>
$15/site, 15 sites, All Year, All ages, Tents, 30 ft max RV length, 6000 ft elev, tables, water, toilets, hike (C).
Saturday, May 3: Windwhistle campground.
Sunday, May 4: Goosenecks State Campground.
Dispersed camping. ("Anchoring out.")
GPS: 37.17482, -109.92679.
Free, All Year, All ages, Tents, 4971 ft. elev., toilets, dispersed (C),
(Cindy comment: I don't think there is water here!)
Monday, May 5: Monument Valley.
May 5, 6, 7.
Goulding's Lodge (and RV park).
Monument Valley, Utah.
<http://www.gouldings.com>
(435) 727-3231
Confirmation #s: 1937, 1938, 1939.
Full hookups.
Confirmations sent to all three parties.
Tuesday, May 6: Monument Valley and environs.
Goulding's Lodge (and RV park).
Wednesday, May 7: Monument Valley and environs.
Goulding's Lodge (and RV park).
Thursday, May 8: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake, & environs, Page, AZ.
May 8, 9, 10.
Page Lake Powell Campground.
849 S. Coppermine Road.
Page, AZ 86040.
Phone: (928) 645-3374.
_Andy_ has made reservations for all 3 rigs. Credit card given to hold sites.
We pay when we arrive. Honor Good Sam discount. Around $21 per site per night.
Confirmation #SB431052.
Friday, May 9: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake, & environs, Page, AZ.
May 8, 9, 10.
Page Lake Powell Campground.
Saturday, May 10: Antelope Canyon, Powell Lake, & environs, Page, AZ.
May 8, 9, 10.
Page Lake Powell Campground.
Sunday, May 11: Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Red rock formations?
Kodachrome Basin State Park
5/11 - 5/13.
Water available in park, dump station in park, power?
Reservations made by Mark for our site only.
- _Andy_: site 10.
- _Fafnir_: 20.
- _Arcadia_: 4.
Monday, May 12: Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Tuesday, May 13: Grand Staircase-Escalante.
Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Wednesday, May 14: Bryce Canyon National Park and environs.
Red Rock Canyon Campground - outside Bryce N.P.
May 14, 15, 16.
BLM - No reservations; first-come, first-served.
>> _Fafnir_ departs for Kansas City.
Thursday, May 15: Bryce Canyon National Park and environs.
Red Rock Canyon Campground.
Friday, May 16: Bryce Canyon National Park and environs.
Red Rock Canyon Campground.
Saturday, May 17: Zion National Park and environs.
May 17, 18, 19.
Mount Carmel Motel and RV.
3020 State Street.
Orderville, UT 84758.
Hook ups, power, and water.
$24 + tx per site, per night.
Showers and restrooms.
Will let us use the laundry facilities associated with the Motel - just let them know we need it and they will tell us when they can accommodate us.
$2 wash, $2 dry; per machine.
_Arcadia_'s Visa credit card is holding the reservation.
Sunday, May 18: Zion National Park and environs.
Mount Carmel Motel and RV.
Monday, May 19: Zion National Park and environs.
Mount Carmel Motel and RV.
Tuesday, May 20: Leave for home @ 300-400 miles per day.
Via Salt Lake City area (TBD).
Cindy will fly out of SLC on the 21st
Wednesday, May 21: Salt Lake to a location yet to be determined
Cindy flies to Kansas City from SL airport.
Thursday, May 22: ?
Friday, May 23: _Andy_ & _Arcadia_ arrive @ home.
(Or not. --Mark_)
Notes
-----
It has been noted that these places can be quite hot and very dry--and therefore hiking with more than a single water bottle per person is indicated. Some hikers will wear dampened neckerchiefs, as well.
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