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Eastern Utah – Professor Valley and Arches National Park

Route 128 through the Professor Valley

The first great tip I got from the proprietor at the Ballard RV Park was to try going through Professor Valley. Instead of going back West to Route 191 to reach Arches National Park, you continue to the East and take Route 128 South. It’s a narrow twisty road not good for RVs or big trucks, but that also makes it great for scenery. This “back door” to the park takes you along the Colorado River through Professor Valley, one of the most picturesque areas around. Best of all the road is rarely traveled by tourists except for at the southernmost end near Moab. Continue reading “Eastern Utah – Professor Valley and Arches National Park”

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Central Utah – Thompson Springs

An inconvenience is an adventure wrongly considered.  – Gilbert K. Chesterton

I arrived in Moab, Utah ninety minutes before sundown. Good timing I thought, enough time to get set up at the RV park before dark and then head uptown for a nice supper at one of the many eateries jammed with tourists. That was the plan. Pretty sure Joseph and Mary had a similar idea when they pulled into Bethlehem, and I had the same reception they did. Except in Moab, even the stable was full.

My reservation was lost and every RV park, campground and motel had the NO VACANCY sign out. After repeated fruitless attempts I realized I had become part of a caravan of campers going from one place to the next desperately searching for a space for the night.  Breaking formation, I puIled over and opened the AllStays app on my phone. Assuming Moab was a lost cause at this point, I searched a wide circle around the area. At the farthest edge of habitation bordering the empty desert was a place called Ballard RV Park. I called them and the nice lady that answered said that she had two spaces left. I told her I would be there as soon as I could drive the road from Moab; she said she’s see me in half an hour. Continue reading “Central Utah – Thompson Springs”

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Across the Desert – to Tonopah NV, then Delta UT

Man makes plans, God laughs

I’ve always enjoyed the beauty of Lake Tahoe, so I figured on spending the weekend on the California side. Departing from Vacaville, I passed through the college town of Davis. I was astounded by the thick packs of bicycle riders everywhere! It turns out that Davis California has the highest percentage of citizens that pedal to work of any town in America. Street scenes here, especially near UC Davis look like something from another country. Pretty neat.

When I arrived in the South Lake Tahoe area, it became apparent that I misjudged the availability of places to camp. October first was considered the end of the summer tourist season, so a large percentage of the public campgrounds were shut down for the winter. At the same time, there was an Octoberfest going on so the single road on the west shore was packed, and the private RV parks had no vacancy. Eventually I did find a state park that had one loop open for dry camping with no water, power or dump station. Better than a Walmart, but with my generator out of service only an overnight was possible. No Tahoe Time for me this trip! Continue reading “Across the Desert – to Tonopah NV, then Delta UT”