The south end of the beach at Hua Hin, Thailand.
Where are Kevin and Ruth now? Hua Hin, Thailand.

Where are Kevin and Ruth going next? Maldives on March 23rd.

Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Camping at 8,000 feet!

(This is the second blog post today because we're getting caught up from not having any internet access. You can see the earlier post here if you missed it.)

We left Kodachrome Basin State Park yesterday (Tuesday) at around 9:00am, but without any idea as to where to stop for the night. We're trying to do minimum 120 miles (200 kms) per day, but there's so much to see along the way.

We took highway 12 northeast towards Loa. Its a scenic byway that runs between part of Dixie National Forest and it is certainly scenic!

It's not only in Mexico that find livestock on the roads.

This little one was very young, When it stood up, it was still pretty wobbly!

Highway 12 north...worthwhile scenic route!

We'd love to do some hiking in that canyon. But, no time!

Some cloudy weather moving in.

Sherman had to do some mountain climbing yesterday!

Getting up there!

Still a bit of snow around at this altitude.

Not sure what it is, but we're not finding much opportunity for unsecured free wifi internet. Part of it is our route, and the towns are so small that they don't have your typical McDonalds or Starbucks where you can get online for free. Most of them don't even have a library. But, we seem to manage enough to get online once per day when we're on the road.

We ended up doing 134 miles (213 kms) yesterday. We found a boat launch at Forsyth Reservoir in Fishlake National Forest. There's a free camping area here, (38.521141, -111.527731) and we're the only ones around. Beautiful spot for an overnight! It's at 8,000 ft elevation though, so hopefully it won't get too cold overnight. Our Mr. Heater is only supposed to work up to 7,500 ft because the low oxygen sensor supposedly kicks in, but I've read reports that people have used it at higher elevations without a problem. (Edit - it worked fine!).

Just after we parked up, some dark clouds appeared and we had a little snow squall.

Fortunately, it didn't last long and we were soon out for a walk.

Lots of room here  for free camping!

Sherman, all by himself.

What a great spot.

Sherman, enjoying the solitude. 

The view out our side window.

Heading further north again this morning. Oh, thanks for the tips from those of you who suggested that Yellowstone National Park may still have some roads closed. Sure enough, they do and we'll adjust our route accordingly!

Yesterday's drive 134 miles (214 kms).

Our Canadian readers can order a special 6 disc blue ray DVD set of "The Planet Earth"...super cheap...





19 comments:

  1. Haha. I'm having trouble commenting here. I'll prank this Google stuff!!! Wondering about your temperatures.

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    1. Not bad at all...it went down to 30F (-1C) last night.

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  2. I always wonder just how anyone would be able to go through such places in a covered wagon. Which way would you go? How would you decide? Would there be two legged obstacles? Boggles the mind.

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    1. We have often thought the same thing! The wagon trains couldn't have been much fun, and we just can't imagine the hardships that they endured along the way. Many times when we are driving on these steep, twisty, windy roads we have wondered who thought of making a road through here in the first place!

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  3. What amazes me is that if more people would travel the backroads of the U.S. they would find many similarities with Mexico and other countries.

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    1. Except for the cost of health insurance... Once you reach 60 years old, travel in the USA gets really expensive.

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    2. Many times we have commented to each other how this could easily be Mexico by the scenery but other than that it pretty much stops there in similarities. We really love the back roads and the lack of traffic and the gorgeous scenery that goes with it.

      You are right Peter and you don't have to even be over 60 for healthcare to cost a lot here!

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  4. Left a comment but I think it got lost in space so I'll try again. It's been killing me not being able to read what you two have been up to but tonight we have city sponsored wifi in Ponca, OK, so I have much to get caught up on. It sure looks like you have been having a great time! Grace (not in Tucson anymore!)

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    1. We know exactly what you mean Grace, we have had a real lack of internet ourselves with not having our Verizon MiFi activated for these two weeks that we are back in the States. We just couldn't justify the cost for that short time so instead we are having to try and find free WiFi which isn't always easy in many of these small towns but we are managing. Looks like both you and Steve are having a wonderful trip yourselves. Keep on having fun!

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  5. If you are headed that way, there is some spectacular topography and scenery between Vernal, UT and Rock Springs, WY---including the Flamimg Gorge Reservoir.

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    1. That was exactly the way we were headed and yes, it is totally beautiful scenery. Wish we had bright sunny skies though, it would have made it even more spectacular. We definitely have to come back to this area again when we have more time.

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  6. More wonderful scenery and good to hear to Mr Heater worked fine.

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    1. Haven't had a problem yet with it because of the higher altitude and lack of oxygen.

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  7. Love the routes you take! Again, keeping some of these gems for when we go through Utah in the late summer/early fall. I actually think it's great to get a little bit of snow! Just a little :-) How nice to have the lake to yourself.

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    1. We love taking the back roads over the Interstates! We love the lack of traffic, the beautiful scenery and small quaint towns and villages. We find it some much less stressful than driving on the Interstates with the traffic whizzing by us. As long as the snow isn't on the road then we don't mind a BIT of snow either.

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  8. That's a gorgeous camping spot with a beautiful name, Forsyth. Monica- CA

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    1. There were so many boondocking spots in that area it was crazy. Not sure how busy it would be in the summer time though but I am sure that you could find a spot that was fairly secluded if you wanted too. This time of year it certainly wasn't a problem to get a nice waterside site totally to ourselves. :-)

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