 | |
| My co-pilot |
 |
| Beaver Creek Ski Area |
 |
| Glenwood Canyon |
 | ||||||
| Glenwood Cyn |
Unfortunately, it was a weekend... so all of the RV Parks in Glenwood filled, and there were no campgrounds within 45 minutes of there suitable for us... so we booked a room at the La Quinta in Rifle, CO... about 30 minutes west of Glenwood. We have quite a few points with La Quinta, so it was a free night. La Quinta is probably the best pet friendly motel chain out there, as they don't have a limit on pets, and don't charge a fee. We've also found most of the hotels to be pretty nice, with comfortable beds. We settled in the room and had a beer and unpacked. It's actually alot of work to bring all your stuff in from the motorhome into the hotel room...hence, the early happy hour. (yes, I said hence).
The next business at hand was where to eat before we head out to the hot springs. I scour Yelp for the best places to eat, and we end up driving into Sonic for burgers.. heh... I think we just wanted to keep it simple... and it was hot.. so we could bring the pups along and have AC and eat all at the same time. Besides, the pups got to share a giant burger patty.. we had cheeseburgers and poppers/fries.. and of course, mandatory milkshakes.
After dinner, we drive over to Glenwood. A cute little town along the river and highway. We didn't really get out to explore though, as we were a bit tired, and it was already almost 8... we wanted to get a couple hours in at the hot springs, which closed at 10. We walked around the pups for a bit, and took the bridge over to look at the hot springs pools.. OMG, the people!!
 |
| Glenwood Hot Springs |
 |
| Hillside near town |
 | |
| The Hot springs... before the evening crowds hit |
 | |
| Hotel Colorado... Est..1893 |
Yes, it was busy... and the idea of taking a bath with 500 other people wasn't as alluring as it might sound. However, this is the worlds largest hot springs pool... So, it wasn't as bad as it looked. Once we settled in, we took it for what it was... and really enjoyed the water. It was very soft and minerally, so it felt wonderful on the skin. There was a hot pool, which was around 104.. and a warm pool... around 93. It was fun to alternate between the two. After a couple hours in the pool, we felt like wet noodles.. and it was time to go. We headed back to Rifle, and dozed off quickly once in bed.
The next morning, it was off to Dinosaur National Monument. The location is about 3 hrs NW, near the town of Vernal, UT.. which is in the extreme NE corner of Utah. The drive was pretty, lots of rolling canyons, mountains, rivers.. and plains. The road was a little bumpy though, so the drive was not as enjoyable as it could have been... but it was nice to get off the interstate. We passed through a couple thunderstorms, and it was nice to open the windows and let the rainy air into the RV as we drove along the lonely highway.
 | |
| Everybody's favorite gas station |
 | ||
| Debi bundled up for the sleigh ride to Dinosaur. |
 |
| Merced and Cheddar are content... |
A couple hours later, we arrive at Dinosaur NM. WOW... the rock formations are the first to strike us... just abolutely beautiful. The second thing was the heat... ugh.. it was probably 95, and humid.. not St. Louis humid, but more humid than anything we'd seen since leaving the midwest. It was monsoon season, so the moisture in the air was pretty thick.
The Park campground was pretty basic.. it had no hookups or anything, but we prepared ahead of time for that. It also sat along the banks of the Green River.. a large slow moving river winding its way through this dry and dusty land. The sites along the river were taken, but we found a good site with a nice view and plenty of space. Time to settle in and break out a couple Chelada's (red beers--- clamato juice/lime/salt/bud light).... get ready for dinner, and enjoy the view. We chatted with the camp host for a while, and apparently missed quite a show the day before. A big lightning storm over the mountains, and then a couple fires. They even had smokejumpers float down on the fire, along with a small air show. Would have been fun to watch over a couple beers.
 |
| Everyone settles in to the campsite |
 | |
| Happy Hour drinks with a view |
 | |
| Green River... steps from the campsite. |
 |
| Cool Rocks/Canyons |
 |
| Dinner... How YOU doin'? |
Unfortunately, the night was not very enjoyable. Clouds moved in at sunset, and that trapped the heat of the day from escaping at night... so it really stayed warm all night.. probably in the low 80's until around 3 or 4 AM. The motorhome also kept alot of that heat in, so it was even warmer in there. Debi didn't have too much trouble falling asleep (surprise)... but, I struggled quite a bit... so I went out and tried to sleep on my new Zero Gravity chair... then on the picnic table, with dog beds on it.. Not alot of luck. Merced was out there with me, and he finally cooled off enough to get some zzzz's. After a couple hours of tossing and turning, a light breeze picked up, and I was exhausted, so I went back in, and finally passed out for good.
We awoke the next day to an already sweltering morning, and decided we were not going to stay another night, and packed up to leave. We'd like to come back and visit and explore the canyons sometime, but mid summer is not the time to do it. On our way out, we stopped at a petroglyph site, then went over to the visitor center, and turned on the generator so the pups could hang out in the motorhome in the AC while we took a quick trip on the shuttle up to the dinosaur quarry... (one of the best collections of dinosaur fossils in the world). It was pretty amazing...and pictures just don't do it justice.
 |
| Green River and campground below |
 |
| Petroglyphs |
 |
| 5 minute shuttle ride to the quarry |
 |
| Inside the quarry |
 |
| Debi with a big bone |
 |
| Refurbished Quarry Museum... rebuilt with federal stimulus $ in 2009-2011. |
After an hour or so, we get back to the RV, make some sandwiches for lunch, and debate on where to go next. It's only Saturday, and we don't need to be in Park City until Tuesday... However, there is just not a whole lot to see and do between Vernal and Park City (PC). A couple nice reservoirs, etc.. but it's all high desert in this area, and hotter than a Chicago dog in a bun, so we decide to drive the ~4 hrs to the higher elevations, and stay near PC at Jordanelle State Park for a couple days until our reservations at the PC RV Park on Tuesday.
 |
| Starvation Reservoir, on the way to Park City in the high desert. |
Jordanelle is a big reservoir just SE of Park City. You can see the ski runs from Deer Valley from the campsite, and the lake is a big recreation spot of water players. The campground is really nice... and pretty busy. $25 a night got us electricity and water, and there was a dump station as well. Our site was nice, but not on the water. We took what they gave us, and should have insisted on finding our own site, as a few sites near the lake were open. Won't make that mistake again. Still, the pups had plenty of room to wander, and it was pretty quiet and spacious... so it was fine.
 |
| Jordanelle State Park Campground |
 |
| Walking the pups in the campground between storms.. Deer Valley Ski Area in the distance |
We were parched from the day, so we headed down to the lake for a dip. The lake was a little low... probably 75% capacity, so the banks were a little muddy. We waddled into lake with our feet sticking in the clay/mud... not a real comforting feeling... but the water felt great.. probably 75 degrees and very refreshing. Sorry, no pics!
Back at the campsite, dinner was to be simple... some salad and chicken wings. I got the wings from the old woman (mother) that she got from Schwann's. I tossed em in some hot sauce, and they were actually pretty good. We settled in and watched some mindless TV for a while, then went to bed. It was a touch muggy out, so we decided to sleep with the AC on. An easy choice after the night before.
Monday, we decide to rent a couple kayaks. I have never been on one, and it had been a while for Debi. We rented them for an hour.. at the 2 hr rate. The lake was calm, but the clouds were building, and I suspected we might get chased off the lake by storms before our 2 hrs were up.
 |
| Marina |
 |
| Debi Kayaking |
 |
| me, kayaking.. moving in for the kill |
 |
| Raincloud opens up |
The wind starts picking up, and storms are now dropping rain on the other side of the lake... So it's time to think about heading back in. Debi challenges me to a race to the bouy, and I ablidge... so we're off! Debi takes the lead and I'm having trouble gaining on her. I realize my paddle is turned the wrong way, so I flip it around, and kick it in to high gear. It's going to be too late, as we're approaching the bouy... so I revise the finish line to the next bouy and give her a run for her money. I'm convinced it's a solid tie, but she thinks she won by a bikini hair... so depending on who you ask... it was either a tie, or Debi won.
Back at the homestead, it starts to rain... and rain. We decide it's a good night to head over to PC and visit our favorite local eatery/bar... High West Distillery. They have very good whiskey drinks, inlcluding their famous lemonade, so we cozy up to the bar and slurp on a couple cold ones while we ponder over the menu.
We're both feeling like small plates, so we order 3 apps to share...lol. Pulled pork tacos, lightly deep fried and sauteed shishito peppers, and parmasean dusted french fries. There chicken wings are outstanding, but are apparently only a winter menu item.
We don't have the enthusiasm to walk around in the rain, so we head back to the RV to let our food settle... watch some TV...and have a little Edwards frozen pie for a late dessert. The pups and kitty are a little restless, as the rain has kept them inside for a better part of the evening...
Tuesday.. We head about 20 minutes to Park City RV park.. after we dump our tanks.. in the rain. Well, it was POURING when the guys in front of us dumped... for us, we got sprinkles. We got the spot I reserved a couple months ago, right on the creek. Not a bad spot considering how tightly packed some parts of the park are. They also have a pool and hot tub, which we've not used yet.
 | |||||
| Poor guy dumping tanks in downpour |
 |
| Campsite at Park City RV Park... |
Debi's parents (Sue and Lynn) also arrive, and are staying about 5 minutes away at Holiday Inn. We go to Wal-mart and pick up a few items, and then meet up with Lynn and Sue for a bit at the RV. Sue's eyes are gleaming as she arrives at our site with the whitewater rolling past..... she contemplates breaking out one of our tubes for floating the river, but I hold her back ... the rapids are too strong, and convince her she might want to sit this one out... She balks, but I bring out the big guns, and boast of endless beer and tasty grub at Wasatch Brewing Co.... I thought I might have to bribe her with a stop at TJ Maxx for dessert, but I didn't have to break out the shopping card tonight.
We head over to Wasatch Brewing Co. I get one of my favorite beers, the jalapeno cream ale... the plan is to top off 2 growlers before we leave Friday. Dinner is fine.. I had a buffalo burger and salad, Debi a chicken club on ciabatta.. Sue, got the "Cowboy Ken Special" (Cobb salad)... and Lynn, a burger. We walk around Main Street PC for about an hour... burning off some of our dinner....and then head back to our respective dens for the night.
 |
| Main Street, Park City, UT |
When we get back to the RV, we walk the pups for a bit... then it starts to rain again. It's been a little unusual at the amount of rain here the last couple days. Yes, we're in the middle of monsoon season, but what's been odd is it's been just steady rain.. not alot of lightning and thunder. Also, the skies have been more winter looking.. gray and boring.. vs the typical big puffies and thunderstorms you normally see during summer. Well, they need the rain here.. and it's keeping it cool, so I guess it's OK... just kinda limits what we can do outdoors.
We awake around 3AM with rain pounding the RV roof. Again, no thunder or lightning.. just very heavy rain. It keeps me up for a good 45 minutes... and I start to think about the creek next to us about 20 ft away... then I start to think about the bag of peppermint patties in the kitchen. The creek has been swollen since we got here, but seems to be holding in it's bank OK. Thankfully, the rain let up after about an hour, and I got back to sleep... after some peppermint patties.
Wednesday... time to shop a little. Yes, it's raining again this morning.. steady and cool. We put on some rain coats and head over to the outlet mall 5 minutes away. I'm wanting some new slip on type shoes. No luck after a few stores, so I give up for today. Debi and her parents continue to shop while I head off for downtown Salt Lake City to get an eye checkup for Merced. There is a specialist we've been seeing here since Merced developed an old age eye problem a couple yrs ago.. so when we're in the area, I like to take him in. The normally 30 minute drive down I-80 through the pass turned into a 90 minute drive. I get to the summit, and traffic is stopped. For the next hour or so, we creep along and down the grade at less than 5 mph. A big rig apparently took a turn too fast, maybe on wet pavement... and tipped over into the center divider wall... blocking 2/3 lanes. I call the vet and tell them I'm going to be late, so no worries there.
I get to the vet, and wait another hour... Merced is not amused, but he's pushing through it like his Dad. Finally, we get in to see the Dr. In a nutshell, Merced is doing pretty good, probably better than expected... so we're happy about that.
Thankfully, I made it back to PC in about 30 minutes. The traffic on the other side... 6 hours after the incident, is now backed up almost to PC.. so those people probably waited 1.5 to 2 hrs in traffic. I'm pretty spent after sitting in traffic all day, plus.. although it's not raining, everything outside is soaked, so we head out to dinner again.
Th choice for the evening was Grub Steak... a steakhouse (duh) in PC. They have a nice salad bar, and a pretty extensive menu. They're not cheap... but nowhere in PC is cheap.. except Arby's.
I have the hunter's grill.. a mix of wild boar, elk, and beef.
It also came with a loaded backed potatoe and big salad bar. Debi had steak and prawns, and Sue had Prime rib.. Lynn had wild horse.... just kidding... he had a steak.
Everyone seemed to enjoy their filling dinners, but the dessert tray lured in a few takers. Debi got the sampler, with bread pudding, mud pie, and creme brulee. Sue got a train car sized piece of bread pudding... and Lynn got half of Basin Robbin's inventory. I got nothing.. but took a few bites of Debi's dessert conglomeration.
 |
| Lynn about to enter his happy place. |
We came back home and walked the dogs... then watched a little TV.. then read for a while, before bed. The rain had stopped this evening, and the skies were beginning to clear. The creek was still flowing swiftly, but was starting to drop. It would be a good nights sleep.
Thursday dawned (at 9:30... ) sunny and mild. The creek had gone down even more.. and instead of a a muddy torrent, it it's a clear, mellow mountain stream again. I savored my coffee for a while, and Debi was working... then had conference calls today... so after I get my coffee fix, I drop off some laundry, and head out to do a little shopping at the outlet malls.. I know.. what's gotten in to me. But, I need to find those new shoes, and there are like 5 shoe stores at the outlet mall, so off I go...
 |
| Outlet Mall |
Got the shoes! 2 for 1 more or less... then, I went and got a haircut... too hot with long hair.. maybe a picture will come soon.. Then, I go to the Mac store to get some quick help with my phone... and finally, the grocery store and liquor store.I also got the wife a little bouquet of flowers.
When I get back to the camp... I took the pups for a much deserved off leash stroll. There is a hiking trail near out campsite, that crosses the stream.. then follows it up a ways.
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| trail from the campground... looking closely, L to R... Deer Valley Ski area, Park City, Canyons. |
 | |
| 2004 Olympic Ski Jump and Bobsled Course at Canyons Resort |
 |
| A rare sighting of Sierra getting her paws wet |
 |
| Merced shows her how it's done. |
 |
| Nice storm building at sunset |
For dinner, we had brats and 3 kinds of salad. I also bought some desserts.. I know, sorry no picts of that... I was busy with dinner and then eating it... and drinking a beer in-between. Debi had informed me tonight that we have hit our annual brat quota for the year.. However, we have 1 more bag of calamari brats to eat that we got at a farmers market.. I know, that should be fun eating those!
We said goodbye to Sue and Lynn... and now, Debi is cleaning up the RV a little getting ready to head out tomorrow. I'm sitting here finishing the blog, listening to the the babbling of the creek outside... and sipping on some of my Wood's Whiskey.
We will be in Moab, Utah this weekend... visiting Arches National Park, as well as some other sights around the area. Then, we head to Ouray and Telluride Colorado for the next week... and then Durango and Pagosa Springs before we head back to Vail towards the end of the month for Debi's second conference.
Until next time....
Debi, Todd, Merced, Sierra, Dixie, Ched Cheese.
No comments:
Post a Comment