BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Hoodoo you think you are?

I loved this park ... so intrigued by the colorful hoodoos.

The canyon area was settled by the
Mormons in the 1850s; and named
after Ebenezer Bryce who built his
homestead in 1874.

 Bryce Canyon National Park isn't actually a canyon but the eastern slope of the Paunsaguant Plateau, where thousands of spires (hoodoos) reach to the sky in a fabulous display of color ... pinks and corals of every hue.  

The 19 mile scenic drive took us up 3,000 feet through meadows, forests, and spectacular amphitheaters of spires. Along the drive there are many pull offs for all your Kodak moments ... one of mine was catching pronghorn antelope grazing in a meadow.   We also took advantage of hitting several of the hiking trails.

Late afternoon, we finally take a break and had lunch at the warm and cozy Bryce Canyon Lodge Restaurant.  Loved the decor and huge stone fireplaces.  I had a yummy big  bowl of elk chili ... Delicious!   During lunch we heard the storm approaching, huge thunderclaps and winds whipping the trees around, the forest was bending low.  We scarfed down lunch to hurry back to the Jeep.  Too late ... we were stung and pelted with large hail.  The drive back down the steep grades of the winding mountain roads was a white knuckle event for Jim ... the weather changed to snow, then rain, and at the base the sun was coming out again. What a wonderfully diverse day of landscape and climate through the elevation changes.

Hope you enjoy the photos and video of our day.  We thank you for tagging along and we'll see you back soon.

Wishing you safe travels!  Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

This hike started at 8,100 feet, boy did
we huff and puff and felt weak at altitude, 
but was worth the effort ... outstanding
canyons and monolith cliffs

A park ranger advised,  when at high elevations,
you must drink four times the normal amount of water
to avoid dehydration.  Carry plenty with you.

I froze at this point of the hike, the wind was howling, and I
feared being blown off the side of the cliff.  It didn't help
 not knowing what was around the narrow bend.
But I did it one step at a time hugged up next to the wall.

Excellent example of the thousands
 of hoodoos in this park.

At the bottom of the canyon, Bryce established his homestead.

A taste of what we'll see when we go to
Arches National Park in a few days.

Lunch at the Lodge Restaurant

Made it to the highest point in Bryce Canyon at 9,115 feet.

Be sure to dress in layers, we started out with sun and
shirt sleeves and ended up freezing during a sudden
snow and hail storm with high winds.

A RIDE ALONG: McTraveler takes you from St George, Utah to Cannonville, Utah

Leaving the St George, Utah area

Maxx and Mollie are NOT spoiled sitting in mamma's lap!
By the way, thepups are always tethered when
traveling.  We attach their leashes to the seat belt
so they can roam at will; but NOT run out of
the coach should there be an accident.  More pets
are injured or killed when first responders open
the door and they run out into traffic, than the
actual accident itself.  Keep your pets safe.

Another beautiful drive through southern Utah's canyon lands, national forests and parks, red rocks, mountains, and deserts ... all in one day! What a diverse ride.  Be sure to watch out for the tunnels too.

We're headed to Bryce/Cannonville KOA which is conveniently located between Bryce Canyon National Park and Kodachrome Basin State Park. Both are a must do if you're in southern Utah.

Entering Dixie National Forest

Sit back and enjoy the video. And thanks for riding along and hope to see you back soon!
Wishing you safe travels,
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

Love the red rocks ... heading into hoodoo country

Don't think you'd have a problem with TSA at this airport

Near the exit to Bryce National Park

   

Cannonville is just around the corner

Bryce/Cannonville KOA, a family owned and run park

Zion National Park - a favorite!

Early Mormon settler's called this area Zion,
a biblical reference to the "promised land" or "place of refuge"

From St George, we entered Zion through the south entrance at Springdale, Utah; which is in itself a beautiful drive.  The journey was worth getting to the destination.

Of the National Parks we have visited across the nation, Zion has proved to be one of our favorites for it's shear beauty and spectacular grandeur.  Zion was Utah's first National Park and is now 101 years old.  In 2010 approximately 2.6 million visited the park making it Utah's favorite park too.  So, we're not alone in our sentiments.

As soon as we hit 62 years old, we went to the closest Ranger Station
 and purchased a lifetime Senior Pass for only $10.00.
With this pass, admission is always free and camping is 50% off site rates.
 Huge savings have racked up over the years.

We were pleased to take the park shuttle tour through the main canyon (available during peak season). There are plenty of stops to explore, take photos or self guided walks/hikes; simply catch the next shuttle when you're ready to move on to the next stop.

I believe in the saying 'a picture is worth a thousand words' so sit back, grab a drink, and enjoy the video as you ride along with us.

Wishing you safe travels!

Pam, Jim, Maxx and Molllie                                                            

RV PARK REVIEW - McArthur's Temple View RV Park, St George, Utah

McArthur's Temple View RV Park was the first stop on our 2013 Spring RV Trip.  From I-15 exit 6, it's big rig friendly, easy access to the park's central location in St George, Utah.  We did not choose this park for a long relaxing stay out by the campfire (burn ban); but for it's convenient location for excursions. Besides going to Zion National Park there are plenty of area things to do.

The park offers a 10% discount nightly rate on internet, Good Sam and AAA membership reservations.  All rates include up to two persons, pets, cable, and a daily newspaper M-F. Weekly rates are also available.  

Nice wide paved streets lead to check-in.
The friendly staff  was very helpful  through out our stay
and eagerly shared the areas 'not to miss' attractions .

	Over 260 spacious sites with full hook-ups
	50 pull-thrus
	All sites have 30/50 amp hook-ups, (select sites have 20/30/50)
	Cable TV hook-ups available at all sites
	On-Demand phone hook-ups available at select sites
	All spaces will accommodate RV’s up to 45’ in length with multiple slide-outs
	Tenting area
	Wireless Internet

The park is located in the center of St George with a view of the Temple and red rock cliffs.

Wide paved streets through out

The park was very well maintained.

Each site includes a concrete patio
and picnic table with adequate room
 for a big rig plus two vehicles.

Central location bath house and laundry room

Shuffle board next to the pool and spa area

Nice light, bright and CLEAN laundry room

Spacious community center

Only one negative aspect to be mentioned here.  While hooking up to electric, the panel lid fell on Jim's arm leaving a profusely bleeding 2-inch gash that is now scarred. He did report to the office in hopes they would fix the lid so no one else would get hurt. He felt their casual regard of the incident was lacking in customer satisfaction training and they did not ask if he needed medical attention.

Overall we would stay here again for the convenience to the area's attractions; besides it's named after us.  Hope you find this review helpful as you plan your trip to southern Utah's canyon lands.

Wishing you safe travels,
Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie

A RIDE ALONG - Indio (Palm Springs), California to St George, Utah

McTraveler left our winter snowbird refuge on May 3, 2013 from Indian Wells Carefree RV Resort located in the Coachella Valley of Southern California.   We couldn't have asked for a better winter; but we also couldn't wait any longer for weather to improve on our northern route.  Finally, enough is enough, let's lock and load ... we had a bad case of the itch to hitch!  From our rear view mirror, we drove away from a beautiful clear blue low-desert skies and 106 degree temperature.

With excitement and anticipation, McTraveler begins the first leg of the 2013 Spring RV Trip which will take us on a 6,000 mile journey through CA, NV, AZ, UT, NV, CA, OR, WA, Vancouver BC, WA, ID, MT, WY, SD, IA, NE, KS, MO, IL, IN, and KY.

Our winter refuge at Indian Wells Carefree RV Resort as seen from
Shields Date Gardens, Indio, California

Clear blue skies and  wide open desert 

Taking I-10 we head west towards LA then headed north up I-15 towards Las Vegas, Nevada; we drive through lots of open desert and surprisingly light traffic.  With the spring rains, the desert was greener than when we arrived last December and the wildflowers were starting to bloom.  

Even the Joshua Trees were starting to bloom.

Since we've already been, we be bypass the Mojave
on this trip ... always pack extra water if you go.

About 50 miles from St. George, Utah

I-15 construction as we near St George

Driving through the Virgin River Gorge area

McTraveler does a great job handling these grades and curves through the
 mountains.  We keep a copy of  the  Mountain Directory by the co-pilots chair 
as a reference on driving conditions through mountain passes and steep 
grades.  When we plan ahead we don't have to say "If I'd only known ..."

From Vegas we wander in and the NW tip of Arizona a couple of times.

Finally catch a glimpse of the Virgin River

                                                 

Red rocks are appearing on the cliffs of the desert landscape

                                                                                                                                                           

McTraveler was like a roller coaster ride ... raise your arms and yell  weeeeeeeeeee.!
Well, that's not exactly what the driver was yelling.

Can't wait to see the red cliffs up close and personal

St George Utah, our base camp to Zion National Park

We just had to start our 2013 Spring RV Trip by staying at McArthur's Temple View RV Resort in St George, but quickly found out the owners were not long lost relatives.  We found stunning red rock cliffs and a view of the Mormon Temple as the backdrop of the RV Resort.

Nope, they are not long lost relatives

Nice RV Resort with lots of amenities and activities

Hence the name of the campground ... McArthur's Temple View RV Resort

After leaving triple digit temps of the southern California desert, our bodies were shocked when we stepped out into St George's afternoon of mid-70s with nightly lows in the 40-50s.  

Well McTraveler took us on a beautiful drive today through ever changing views of the low-desert to high-desert landscapes; through wide open spaces to tight mountain cliffs on our way to St George, Utah. 

Hope you enjoyed the ride and that you'll be back soon.

Wishing you safe travels!

Pam, Jim, Maxx and Mollie