Leaving Arizona

One more photo at the Arizona rest stop before we get back on the road. Linda wanted Dan to stand infront of the Joshua Tree so it would look like it was growing out of his head, but he didn't cooperate.

We needed to get an adapter to use at the campsites where only 30 amp service was available. We have regular household extension cords. We saw a sign for an RV supply store as we approached Wilcot and decided to see if we could find the adapter. We found the store and this gunslinger manning the place. He was in costume for a re-enactment of a shootout in the historical area of the town. The shootouts were to be a 2 & 4 PM. If we hadn't been there at 10 AM with some mileage to get behind we would have stayed.

New Mexico!

Kartchner Caverns Campground, Arizona

This was a great place to camp. Interesting birds and very quiet. We visited with some of the other campers and their dogs. Dan was in heaven. We even encountered a scorpion just inside the door of the men's restroom. Of course Linda had to check it out, what do you expect?

We did not go into the caverns. We plan to visit Carlsbad Caverns and figured one cavern would be enough. Besides it was late in the afternoon when we arrived and we needed to get to our camp site, do the little bit of set up required and get in a nap before Dan had to prepare dinner.

Our dinner was "tossed salads and scrambled eggs", if you get the significance of that.

The moon was full and gave us plenty of light to walk around after dark. the defined shadows we cast reminded Linda of a song.

This variety of cactus was everywhere. Many had blossoms.

We managed to catch a bee at work while getting this close up of the cactus flower.

After leaving the campground the next day we stopped at the last rest stop in Arizona before crossing into New Mexico. We had stopped here on our first trip to Florida several years ago. The interesting rock formations deserved being photographed a second time.

Now on to New Mexico......

Blythe, California

We had planned to use the tent for camping again this year, but had a bright idea to make the Astro van a camping vehicle. After 3 months of brainstorming, engineering and constructing we had created a camping vehicle. This will allow camping in rainy & windy weather. If it gets too hot then it will mean hotels for comfort. Check out what we have done.

Dan built "chuck boxes" for the cooking & eating equipment, and canned & dry foods. These boxes stow under the bed platform he built. Large plastic tubs hold items not needed on a daily basis.

Stowing compartments for eye glasses, iPod, cell phone and personal flashlight. This one is great for access from the bed.

Closet and Colman thermoelectric cooler. We created the closed with PVC pipe and cotton duck fabric. This gave us more storage for clothing than expected. It is nice to have the clothing easy to access and not in luggage to search through. This also uses much less space. The cooler does away with the need for buying bags of ice and draining off the water on a daily basis.

Our first day out we camped at Peter McIntyre County Park on the Colorado River. We walked to the lake after dinner and noticed extensive gopher activity. This particular burrow hole is large enough for a person (or even a horse) to step into.

The lake is quite calm at this point, but is still moving rapidly enough to be cautious in the main stream. This is a pretty place.

There was a duck paddling around this dock, most likely hoping for a few morsels being tossed its way.

This first night gave us an opportunity to work out kinks in the usage and storage of items we will want to use in the evening, such as lap tops, reading materials and shoes.

All in all the Astro van/camper work very well.

Last Stretch of Road Home

Saying goodbye to Mom. Linda was so glad to have a few days to visit here.

Leaving St. George, UT.

Arizona is just a few miles from St. George. We cut through a corner of this state.

The rain started just after the state line. We hope it doesn't follow us home.

The landscape continues to change as we drive along the I-15.

The Virgin River. It is quite muddy with all the rain in the area the past few days.

Nevada, we're getting closer! At least we have emerged from the rain storm to blue skies.

The long desert highway ahead of us.

Enjoying the scenery at 70 mph.

Passing by Las Vegas. The traffic was light at this time of the morning.

Back in the home state, and the California desert.

More long stretch of road. Here is the boring desert part of the trip.

The rest stop in San Bernardino County that has been rebuilt. The last time we were by here the place was closed and under construction. They did a great job. We are getting closer to the mountains again.

Mojave, where highway 58 meets the 14.

From the 14 to the I-5 in Santa Clarita. Passing Valencia.

Not far now.

Driving through the orange groves.

The farm land, Orange trees on the hill side.Lemon trees.

Strawberries.

Home! Our neighbor did a great job of caring for the plants while we were gone.

We had a wonderful time. It would have been fun to have been able to camp more on the way back, but the weather was too hot and there were thunder storms almost every night. The best part about being here . . . the fabulous weather!

Now, if we can get the bug spatters off the front of the van (that's Dan's department). The vehicle served us well.

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To St. George, UT, 07072011

Leaving Grand Junction on the I-70 - the scenery continued to change. The sky was dark with clouds and we did have rain for a while.

Included the elevation sign. Of course we were much higher in the mountains west of Denver.

The road ahead. We love those mountains.

The rapidly changing landscape required that we keep the camera ready to get the shots.

Black Dragon Canyon.Some of the castle like formations of Castle Valley.

Here we are on the edge of Goblin Valley, an amusing state park. Too bad we did not decide to take a tour here, the formations are very interesting as can be surmised by the name. Linda had visited this place when she lived in Utah many, many years ago.

Still the castle formations, but a change in soil hue.

A lone tower standing guard.

The castles give way to large boulders as we near the I-15.

We stopped for lunch in Richfield under sunny skies, but some scattered thunder heads. When we stepped out of Arby's into the bright sunlight we were met by large rain drops falling from the sky. Dan used this situation to his advantage and cleaned the van windshield.

Heading south in the I-15. Cowboys drive too fast. We were doing 76 MPH when we were passed by a diesel 4X4 dually pickup pulling a six-horse trailer at 85 MPH! Well, the speed limit here is 80 MPH.

We had reached St. George and were headed to Karen's house to spend some time with her and Linda's Mom.

The black lava flow remains are a stark contrast to the red earth here.

Finally, after a long day on the road, we arrived at Karen's just as she was returning from the market. This was the first time we had visited since Karen and Linda's Mom had moved to St. George. They are both very happy here, and the house is beautiful. Karen has been working tirelessly on the yard with Christine's expert help. Christine, our sister-in-law, is a landscape pro. We had a nice visit with all of Linda's family that live here: Mom; siblings Karen, JoAnn & her husband Brent, Gary & his wife Christine & their two sons Dylan & Tyler; and Linda's niece Loretta.

The weather was hot and unsually humid due to the storms passing through. We did have thunder storms on night, but it did cool off during the nights.

Linda's Mom is 88 years old and still looks great. She uses a walker, but does as much as she is able to. It was good for Linda to have some time here.