Last week, we went to Durango for Mel and Mutch’s wedding, and our own Baby Shower with Alex’s friends. Given that we had a week, it made sense to make a road trip adventure out of the drive.
Thursday afternoon: Palo Alto to Yosemite
A later start than expected as Alex was busy impressing the Palo Alto Institute board.
We wound our way east, avoiding traffic and nabbed our spot at the Hodgdon Meadows camping area with Yosemite. The campsite was the only one available in the whole of Yosemite for the month of June. We were lucky to get it.
Friday: Yosemite
Friday morning’s experience made both of us remember why we try to avoid camping in designated campgrounds. At 7:15am, our neighbour, in his big RV, decided to start running the engine. I was sleeping outside, in the fresh air, that quickly turned to Carbon Monoxide. I was able to get him to turn it off by banging on his window. Later, when he stepped out of his leviathan, he explained to me that the campground regulations specifically said that he was entitled to start his engine at 7:15am in order to recharge the batteries. I told him that was nice, but that my unborn daughter had different views. We quickly became firm friends.
Yosemite was recently voted the most scenic place for a traffic jam in the lower 48. Yosemite earned that award because there are many pleasant rocks to look at. See the pictures. Dad, Alex has set you a challenge.
Friday evening: Nevada
Out of Yosemite, we stopped at a Lee Vining servo for the best fish tacos in the world. Yes, really. Then across the rollercoaster ride of Hwy 6 through Tonopah and down the Extra-Terrestrial Hwy to camp in Caliente. We stayed in a campsite* that was empty except for our extremely friendly camp host, Lars.
* Handy fact: Some Nevada maps show Wilderness Areas as green circles. Campsites are shown as green triangles.
Saturday: Zion
Zion: full and raining, so we stayed in a hotel. When the weather cleared we took the bus trip up the canyon, saw some rocks, then adjourned for an excellent dinner at Parallel 88
Sunday: The Grand Staircase
From Zion, through Ruby Canyon, Escalante, Boulder is probably one of the most beautiful drives in the world. Especially if you like looking at rocks. For us, it was made even more beautiful by the people we met along the way, particularly one young girl who we were fortunate to meet in Escalante.
Alex and I stopped at the interesting and informative Escalante Visitor’s Center for a pregnant lady break. As we walked out of the center, a young lady approached Alex and said
“How exciting! You’re having a baby! All my friends are too!”.
Alex smiled and said that she was indeed having a baby, and that she was looking forward to meeting her. Our new friend replied
“Can I give you a hug?”
They hugged and the girl passed Alex a note with a pretty yellow flower. It was so touching that complete strangers (from Boulder) would reach out to Alex like that.
Monday: Durango
After staying in a tiny campsite that didn’t even fit our two-man tent at Natural Bridges National Park, we drove the park circuit, saw some rocks, and then crossed the border into Colorado, and our destination, Durango where we stayed in Kennan and Cheryl’s off-the-grid cabin.
Alex, is the specific challenge:
1 . to photograph you two (baby P will be with us) on Overhanging Rock? or
2. Reintroduce Brendan to his RV neighbour?
I disagree, the best fish tacos are at Park City.
That rock is actually super scary. I don’t think I would crawl out on that thing. I think Brendan wants you to setup your camera down on the falls like the guy in the picture. Its so beautiful, you will just love it!