Snow, "Fire," and...Yikes! Counting My Blessings!

SUNDAY, MAY 10

Navidad had another “first” this morning!  Before I pulled out of our site at the RV Park in Glendale [UT], and as soon as I unzipped the carrier’s top flap, he immediately jumped out onto the passenger seat.  He looked around for a brief moment, gave out a couple of “meows,” and then – I could just see the wheels turning in his head - he hopped right back in!  The only other time I’d ever seen him get in the carrier so willingly was at the vet’s!

Waking up to sunshine this morning, I noted how much prettier the nearby hills and the apple orchard looked in the glistening rays.  Even then, I still stuck to my decision to drive on the historic Rt. 9 through Zion National Park another time.  Reviewing my map last night, I considered two route options for the return to Arizona.  I could take Rt. 89 south all the way back to Page, AZ, or I could see a little bit more of Utah by taking Rt. 89 north to Rt. 14 W.  I chose the latter…and that was the absolutely best decision! 

Designated a Utah Scenic Byway, this two-lane, 40-mile highway traverses through a beautiful forest of pine and aspen trees.  At the highest point of the plateau, the elevation is 11,000 feet.  As we started up, I noticed patches of snow on the ground.  Then there was more snow, and finally, on the approach to the highest point, the entire landscape was covered in bright white snow.  Against the clear blue sky, the snow on the branches of the pine trees just simply added to the beauty of this picturesque scene.  Me happy?  You bet!

Rt. 14 ended at Cedar City where I then connected to I-15 S and headed for Leeds, UT.   I stopped early, around noon, at the Zion West RV Park.  Navidad and I will spend our third, and final, night in Utah at this park.  Nothing spectacular about the place but I do have WiFi and, much to my relief, the cable seems to work on my TV.  AND, it’s warmer, much warmer!

Snow around Navajo Lake, Route 14 Scenic Byway, Utah.

Surrounded by snow, Route 14 Scenic Byway, Utah.

At the snowy top of Utah’s Route 14 Scenic Byway, ready to descend.

MONDAY, MAY 11

We got back on I-15 S which took us through the last few miles of Utah and around 15 miles of Arizona before we crossed into Nevada.  When I travel in the truck camper I generally try to avoid the interstate, but sometimes there’s really no choice.  In this case, it’s the Grand Canyon, but this section of I-15 was actually a very scenic drive through gorgeous rocky cliffs and canyons – the Paiute Wilderness, according to my map.

About 20 minutes after crossing into Nevada, we connected to Rt. 169 S and headed for the Valley of Fire State Park, near Overton.  I visited this state park once before in the truck camper and very much enjoyed my stay there.  At that time I selected a campground site without hookups.  This time, I picked a loop site in a different campground area that provides electric and water.  It’s quite warm down here and I wanted to be prepared in case it became necessary to use the air conditioning in the camper.  I was thinking of Navidad – gotta have the creature comforts for my feline creature.

Around 1:15 p.m., we were all set up at our site and, with all the windows open in the camper, we had a fairly nice cool breeze coming through.  It was so nice I decided not to bother opening my laptop.  Instead, and for the first time since starting this trip, I pulled out a book – Stephen King’s Doctor Sleep – and sat outside to read.  

Come bedtime, the breeze still felt so good I decided to leave open the two windows next to the bed and the overhead vent cover.  And to think that just a few days ago, up in Glendale, Utah, it was so cold I had to turn the heat on!

TUESDAY, MAY 12

During the night, Navidad became excited about something outside and his movements woke me up.  He looked out one side window, then looked out the cabover window, and then scurried over to look out the other side window.  I peered out, too, but didn't see anything.

Valley of Fire State Park “…is the oldest state park in Nevada, USA and was designated as a National Natural Landmark in 1968.  It covers an area of almost 42,000 acres (17,000 ha) and was dedicated in 1935. It derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs. These features, which are the centerpiece of the park's attractions, often appear to be on fire when reflecting the sun's rays.” (Wikipedia)

Before leaving the state park, I drove to a couple of sites to take pictures of some of the rock formations.  The first time I was here, my photos didn't come out too great because the sky was overcast that time.  With the sun out today, hopefully I've done some justice to the beauty of these red rocks. 

Our site at Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada.

My truck camper, dwarfed by a massive red rock.

The obligatory showoff, “climbing” a Beehive rock formation.

Red “Beehive” rocks, ancient and beautiful.

We were on the road for three hours today (Routes 169 S, 93 N, and 95 S).  The legend on my map shows Rt. 169 to be a scenic highway.  I probably wouldn't dub it as such but it was a nice two lane curvy road that traversed through a rather barren desert landscape of brown/beige hills.  Running parallel to Rt. 169, although you couldn't see much of it, is Lake Mead, another man-made lake, created by the Hoover Dam.

During this drive on Rt. 169, Navidad finally found the courage to get out of his carrier – part way – for about a minute!  His front half was on my lap, his back half still in the carrier.  I've been coaxing him…BUT, seriously, do I even want him loose in the truck while I’m driving?  I really need to think about this one…seriously.

At Boulder City, NV, just before we got on Rt. 95 S, I stopped at a Vons to get a few things.  Navidad came along, natch!

Arriving at a town called Searchlight, we turned left and drove 14 miles down this road to the Cottonwood Cove Marina and Resort.  There’s an RV park here as well, but this place is primarily a Lake Mead recreation area for houseboats and other water activities, including fishing.  I don’t think their season has got underway yet because the whole place appeared to be devoid of people, except for some staff.  They have a café there but even that was closed! 

WEDNESDAY, MAY 13

The oft-heard refrain from family and friends to “Have a good time and drive safely!” is truly a well-meaning suggestion that we should take to heart when we travel.  And most especially when you’re driving something big and heavy such as, in my case, a truck camper.  You can’t know what’s ahead of you and you just gotta pay attention.  I saw two things while driving today that will attest to this bit of wisdom.  The first was a spot-on lucky sighting.  And the second was downright dangerous.

Shortly after getting back on that 14-mile road to return to Rt. 95 S, a low-flying bird appeared in my line of vision.  Looks like a hawk, I thought, but what’s that thing dangling under it?  Is that a rope?  Heck, no!  It was a snake!  The bird had a snake gripped in its talons!  As it flew past, I could see the bird’s red tail.  Yup, it’s a hawk alright, with a snake for breakfast!

The second incident occurred about two hours later.  Rt. 95 S took us into California; 25 miles later, we connected to I-40 E, soon crossing the Colorado River back into Arizona where I soon got on Arizona’s Rt. 95 S.  This highway took us right back to Lake Havasu City, where Navidad and I spent our first night in the camper [on April 15].

Just as I got through the busiest stretch of Lake Havasu City – and before the four-lane highway again became a two-lane highway - I was driving on the far right lane.  I was about 15 car lengths behind this car when that driver suddenly swerved to the left lane.  Directly in front of me now, on my lane and growing larger as I sped closer, was an oblong object that took up almost the entire width of my lane.  I hit the brakes and, remembering the truck that was behind me, activated my flashers. 

It’s incredible, thinking about it now, how the brain functions when on overdrive.  In a matter of a few seconds, I stopped just feet from the object, glanced at my driver’s side mirror and saw the truck move to the next lane and pass me, noted that there were, fortunately, no other vehicles behind the truck, and then returned my gaze to the object in front of me – an aluminum ladder.  Gee, my brain observed, that ladder looks just like the one I have in my garage at home, the one I use to raise all 5’1” of me (or maybe it’s 5’0” by now) a little higher to reach for something. 

As I slowly drove around the ladder I spotted a work crew on the other side of the highway.  I waved at one of the guys.  He smiled and waved back but then immediately became rigid when I started frantically pointing “back there.”  He turned his head to look and then - oh, bless him! - from my mirror I saw him run towards the ladder.  Earlier, I looked skyward and saw a hawk with its morning prize.  Knowing all was well now regarding the ladder, I looked skyward again and said a silent “thank you…”

Navidad and I were on the road for four hours today – we’d been driving through the deserts of Nevada, California, and now Arizona.  Although the open windows were fine for me, I did turn on the air conditioning twice just to make sure Navi wasn't becoming too warm.  Shortly after driving through Parker, AZ, we got on Rt. 72 E and soon reached the Desert Pueblo RV Resort, in Bouse, AZ. 

There’s really nothing around here but I've been without internet and mobile access for several days now and my Good Sam Directory indicated that this RV Park had WiFi.  The two doors to the office were both locked and as I looked around I saw this fellow on crutches come my way.  He was coming from his own RV and had probably been hollering at me to give him a moment.  When he came into full view I noted he was missing a leg.  A veteran?  Maybe.  An accident?  Maybe.  Whatever, I let him know I couldn't hear and we hit it off famously from there.  But, no, there’s no WiFi.  They “…just shut it off for the summer…” he explained.  Okay.  Summer does come early in the desert.  I paid for my site.  Navidad slept.  I sat outside and let Stephen King do his thing with (to?) me. 

THURSDAY, MAY 14

“Our drive today will be way shorter than yesterday, Navidad.  I promise.”  And it was.  Shortly after 9:00 a.m., we were back on Rt. 72 E for about 20 miles.  We then turned onto Rt. 60 E heading for Wenden, AZ.  There’s a KOA (Kampgrounds of America) in the town of Salome and I turned in there as soon as I spotted it.  The door to that office was unlocked and, in response to my inquiry, the lady there confirmed that they do have WiFi.  I told her I’ll be coming back this way on Saturday and will stop at the KOA then.

At Wenden, we turned onto a local road and drove north about 37 miles to the Alamo Lake State Park.  It was a nice drive (“open range, watch for cattle”) through a hilly terrain densely populated with saguaro and other cacti and desert vegetation.  All the colors of this landscape would have been more vivid if the sun were out today.  As it is, the day has been overcast and very breezy.  At least it’s not hot – a good thing for Navidad, never mind me and my preference for picture-perfect days!

I had made online reservations, about a week ago, for two days here and, from the site I selected, I can see Alamo Lake through my slideout windows.  Based on boating restrictions now posted around here, and on their website, I think this lake may have shrunk, too.  Compared to the other Arizona state parks I visited during this trip, this place is more remote and wilder.  The wildlife includes the usual desert critters, birds, and reptiles (including rattlesnakes)…and wild burros.  Burro droppings are everywhere, on the roads and on the campsites.  There’s even a pile right behind my camper.

Well, well, what do you know!  As I’m writing this, I just now happened to glance up to observe the birds gliding around outside, their eyes on the ground.  Detecting motion on a nearby slope, I grabbed my binoculars and counted four burros.  They went this way, then they turned to go that way.  They were too far for my camera but I did get them on the camcorder.  I don’t know if any burros will come much closer while there are people up and about.  According to the state park’s website, “The feral burros that roam the park are a good example of non-natives thriving successfully in a challenging arid climate.  They are thought to have escaped from miners in the past and have acclimated successfully to the desert.”

Those birds, by the way, they’re turkey vultures.  They've got ugly red faces but they glide in the sky so gracefully.  

Alamo Lake, as seen from my camper’s rear entrance. 

Proof positive – burro droppings behind my camper.

FRIDAY, MAY 15

Today marks two significant occasions.  First, it’s been exactly four weeks since Navidad and I left home to begin this trip in the truck camper.  We've been together every step of the way, every mile on the road.  It’s been a major life-changing travel experience for him and me both. 

Because I’m of the mammal species with the cognitive and analytic “brain power,” I understand what’s going on and why things are happening the way they are.  Not having that ability to make sense of things, all that Navidad has been able to do these past four weeks is to trust me, to seek reassurance from me, and to adapt as best he could to this very strange activity humans call “recreation.”

I truly felt badly for Navidad the first 7-10 days that we were on the road.  For a long while I wanted to drop everything, go back home, and console Navi that I will never do this to him again.  In time, however, Navi did get used to the routine of life in the truck and in the camper.  Knowing that I was doing my job for him – keeping him fed, keeping his water bowl filled, keeping his litter box clean at all times, brushing/combing him, playing with him, giving him treats and catnip – he eventually relaxed.  He ate.  He slept.  He purred (and/or snored).  He looked out the windows and the rear screen door.  He kneaded me.  He curled up at my face/neck in bed when it was cold.  He stretched out at my feet when it was warm.  Seeing me get the carrier, he tried to hide at first, then he pretended to be sleeping.  I think he knows, he’s always known, that right now, today and tomorrow, he’s the most important thing in my life.

I've had to adjust and adapt, too.  Navidad’s needs, and level of comfort, became primary.  My wants became secondary.  A good example is the extent to which I did NOT make any side stops anywhere during any of our drives.  I haven’t even gone, this entire time, to a restaurant for a hearty breakfast or a steak dinner!  Counting tonight, we have four nights remaining in the camper.  We’ll be home soon, on the 19th.  In time, Navidad will have forgotten about the stresses and uncertainties of this trip.  But I will never forget.  I've got pictures and video…and my memories…of this extraordinary experience. 

So, when I get home and take the camper back to my beloved Galaxy Campers for storage, I will be wondering about the future.  When will my next trip be?  Where do I want to go?  How long do I want to travel?  And – what about Navidad?  Do I bring him along, once again?

Oh, I nearly forgot.  Today’s other significant occasion – it’s my birthday!  I turned 65 today!  Navidad gave me a birthday nose-kiss this morning, even if I had to weasel it out of him!

This morning looks just like yesterday afternoon – it’s still overcast, although less breezy.  There’s been a little bit of drizzle but that didn't stop me from stepping outside to peer through my binocs at two burros down a slope behind my camper.  Those two burros were standing side by side, and just like horses, they were each standing with their nose to the other’s tail.  I’ll have to look up the reason for this intriguing equestrian behavior.

I have no internet or mobile access here.  But a State Park ranger came calling at 9:00 a.m.  I saw him drive up the road and stop at a spot between my site and the empty one next to me.  Okay, he’s checking the departure date (5/16) on the State Park tag in my truck.  No worries, I’m legit.  But then he got out of his SUV.  Okay, he’s just gonna check something or other at the empty site next to me.  But then he strolled over to my camper.  Okay, I better go see what’s up. 

The very first human to greet me on my 65th birthday was this cute ranger.  He smiled and handed me an envelope with my name on it – correctly spelled (it’s Mary Anne, NOT Mary Ann and definitely NOT Mary!) – and said “…she called last night.”  He wished me a happy birthday and said for me to come by the store/office later for some ice cream.  I took his hand and thanked him for both the delivery and the invitation.  Stepping back inside the camper, I thought, “Wow, I just got a hand-delivered birthday card and here in this wild and remote place, too!”

As I've always done during past camper trips, I send mobile texts or emails every day to my sister, Evelyn, brother, Bill, and close friend, Lisa, to let them know where I am that evening and how long I will be at that location.  It’s for this reason that I don’t want to be without internet or mobile access for too many days because, otherwise, they’ll probably send a posse out looking for me at my last reported location.  At that RV Park last Wednesday in Bouse – the one that had shut off the WiFi service - I had 1-2 bars on my mobile and, knowing I’d be out of range up here at Alamo Lake, I managed to let Evelyn-Bill-Lisa know in advance that I will be here for two days.

The birthday card is from Evelyn.  I don’t know if this morning’s ranger is the one she spoke to last night, but somebody did a great job with her request/instructions - picking out the card and writing her message, complete with a smiley face –

“Happy Birthday!  Mary Anne from your sister Evelyn.  Have a great day and a wonderful birthday!”

Thank you, Ev!  You’re the best, the absolute BEST!  I’m lucky you’re my sister!

It’s now just past 12:30 p.m. and it’s still drizzling off and on.  From where I sit at the dining table, I have a great view of Alamo Lake.  And I've been having several pretty good burro sightings, too, including a couple of adults with a foal – so cute the way it prances around!  The burros are just too far for the camera, regretfully, but I do have a great pair of binoculars!  I’m looking at a group of four right now and they've been standing stock still for the past 15-25 minutes.  It looks like they’re sleeping!

Staying warm and comfy on the dining seat, with Navidad sleeping next to me, I read my book.  It finally rained for a brief time and when it stopped, around 4:00 p.m., I took a 40-minute walk around the park.  The lake itself is down a slope and since I didn't see a trail, I didn't go down there.  At any rate, I had a nice walk and this is indeed a very nice State Park.

SATURDAY, MAY 16

Goodness, Navidad was especially affectionate yesterday evening!  He insisted, at least three times, that I put down my book so he could recline on my chest-torso-lap.  Since I was sitting at the dining table when he made his wishes known, I had to shift my position so I could draw up my legs and use both arms to cradle him.  While he snoozed, and there being no way I could hold my book, I was content to look out the windows and watch it get darker. 

And then this morning, I woke up just before the sun rose and discovered that Navidad had brought his little “Mousey” to me!  This “mousey” and the “purple bear” are the only two toys that he brings to me, usually during the night, at home.  “Mousey” is kept with an assortment of other cat toys in the dining area and “Purple Bear” is kept in my office.  He always picks up just those two and I will often find one in the bedroom and the other in the living room.  Finding “Mousey” on the bed this morning was a delightful surprise – it was like getting a belated birthday present!  Why now, though, I do wonder.  Does Navi sense we’ll be back home soon?  I've certainly mentioned that to him plenty of times recently.  I tell you – cats are smarter and wiser than we give them credit for! 

The sun is out and the sky is blue.  We will be on our way soon but I am grateful for this moment, albeit brief, to see this beautiful lake and landscape.  It’s another belated birthday present!

The rising sun on my camper – Alamo Lake State Park, AZ.

Alamo Lake at sunrise.

Navidad, enjoying the scenery, too!

Yesterday’s rain brought out all the colors of the desert landscape and that made the 37-mile drive back down to Wenden all the more enjoyable.  Reaching Wenden, we turned west on Rt. 60 and, as planned, arrived at the KOA in Salome and got a site here.  This RV Park has, according to their diagram, 127 sites.  Looking around, and counting me, I think less than 10 are occupied.  I suppose the place is busier during the winter months.    

But I’m here for the internet!  My last access was nearly a week ago – Sunday, May 10th, in Leeds, Utah!  I peeked at my AOL – 222 emails!  In the span of one week??  How is that even possible!?  Those messages will have to wait a little longer.  I have a blog to post!     

This is my final CAMPER ADVENTURES blog for this trip.  Tomorrow, Sunday 17th, we will stay one night at the Buckskin Mountain State Park, which is located just north of Parker, AZ.  This state park is situated along the Colorado River and, as with all the Arizona State Parks that I visited on this trip, this one will, no doubt, be spectacular as well.  On Monday I plan to stop at an RV Park in Quartzsite, AZ and start gathering clothes and stuff and get the camper ready for clearing/cleaning.  Then we’ll go home on Tuesday.

You did good, Navi, real good!  Thanks for coming along with me - and being a good sport about it!