Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Beginning adventure

We did it! After thinking about it, then re-thinking about it, and then we decided to do it! We have sold, loaned out, given away, donated and stored what was left of our worldly goods. We cleaned out and rented out our home for at least 1 year and we will on our way tomorrow, Sunday June 28, 2009.
What are our plans? Itinerary? Well to start, on our way to Provo UT to visit my Dad and Vena Lee for a few days. We like Hwy 50 so it may take a while. I have always wanted to spend some time in those old Nevada towns. Maybe this will by my chance!
Some interesting things have happened so far. Coming up the Hwy 80 upgrade our engine got hot. Now we are really heavy with stuff, (What we cannot find room for, we are sleeping with ) it is hot outside, upper 90’s, and we are towing the Jeep, but our 350 Diesel Cat engine should not be doing this. We wanted to stop at Gold Run rest stop, but it was closed. So we went on. Finally made it to the top. Bob checked the Air filter, changed the fuel filter, and several other things, all OK. So we cooled down, had lunch and took off. We then discovered our Ice Machine does not make ice. So we now buy a bag every day or so. Could be worse. Spent our first night in Finley NV. Met a nice couple from Sacramento got to talking and he was a former Union City Cop, we knew some same people. They had a small dog and he was a Marine. Need I say more? Had an enjoyable evening.
Next day, Hwy 50 the loneliest road in America. Saw a vehicle every hour or so. Very windy, like the grass on the side of the road was laying flat against the road! Our 24,000#’s rig plus car is jumping around in the wind! We hear a flapping and the locked awning has come undone and is flapping in the wind. There is no shoulder to get off the road. We pull over anyhow. A CHP officer came by and parked behind us to warn other cars. Finally got it fixed and re locked. Spent the night in Ely NV.
Next day off the loneliest Hwy in America to a lonelier one on Hwy 93. Saw a vehicle ever 2 hours or so. A few miles down the road one of the locked bottom cupboards pops open. A dust storm is brewing on the desert. It was a day of hard driving for Bob and hard for me because I lean back and forth depending on how we are moving. Korkie spent the day under the table.
Looked on the map and found we were pretty close to Zion National Park! Never had been there so decided to check that out! Found a campground in Springdale UT. Pretty little town. Came across a bit of a problem. The campground is located with a Quality Inn Motel. We were driving along, Bob spied a Quality Inn sign and we pull in. Well right away a nice lady comes out and says “wrong Quality Inn and you can turn around up there”. It was a very small parking lot. Remember, with the jeep being towed, we cannot back up. So we wiggle to and fro and after quite a long time, we pull out. Find our campsite, set up. V/T time.
Next day we decided to go into the park. Well we found there was oil splatter all over the car so we sent out to find a car wash. In pretty tourist towns, there is no car wash. It was then we found out the tires were out of alignment due to the small parking lot turn around. We asked at a gas station where the closet tire alignment place is. “Well, it’s in Hurricane down the road about 20-30 miles. On the right hand side of the street, you can’t miss it”. So off we go. You can’t miss it means asking in several places before we find the only place in town that can alignment tires. Turned out good, a nice place, found a car wash and ready to come back to Springdale. That afternoon we toured Zion Park. Beautiful sights. On to Provo UT

4 comments:

  1. Free ice at AYC! They'll take the little dog too.

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  2. We will be there sometime! Our home is where we are.

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  3. Love the blogging! Keep it up :)

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  4. Sounds like you're already having quite the adventure. Can't wait to read more. Happy travels!

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