Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Time slows... and the Days Stretch Out...

We've decided... that, like most of the other National Parks, if you have the option... either spring or fall is the best, and for us, only, time to travel Zion. :)

This year, we were hoping to find a boondocking site nearby, so we could stay around for a while... and give a lil' support to our less then fat budget... That don't look like it's gonna happen, this time around. Over toward Virgin, 'bout 12 miles west of Zion, there was a BLM area folks used that was reported to us...

We looked for a couple days... just couldn't find it... the area that seemed to be the right place... looked like it had been flooded... sure wasn't a place I wanted to drag a 12,000 lb. rig in to...

... Well... I was right... That area is GONE... Last December they had a bit of rain around here... one gal told me it was 18" in 11 days... that qualifies as a bit don't it? The consequence was... that area got buried under maybe a foot or better of soft, deep sand... and I suppose some of it just plain gone...

*Backroading Near Zion*
*We don't need no stinkin' T-Posts!*
  It's gated and locked up now... so we kept looking... Went up Kolob road... but awful muddy and wet...

*Views along the Road... Scouting for a Camp*
 ... and then we found a spot...closer and good view... pretty perfect really... except... there's room for a couple outfits... and they were pretty much already there... so... we'll use our DAV discount :) and keep using the park camp for another couple days... and then... move on... starting east for Easter back in Denver...

So... We're just kickin' back and doin' some walkin'... which is a bit of a task... 'cause the spring time crowds are bigger than what we saw in the fall... and we've had a bit of trouble parking the truck... (the shuttles don't start running for another day or two) ... and I didn't bother gettin' the Raider down... in the Rain...

... and on one walk... we had a great event... we were lucky to be in the right place... at the right time... to see one of the rare and dreaded, Rocky Mountain Bushy Tailed Micro Badgers!

*Rocky Mountain Bushy Tailed Micro Badger!*
Otherwise... it's a time of strolling along... just breathing... and wondering... Capturing some of those small jewels in the Big picture... that so many travelers hurry on past and seem to miss...

*Zion Canyon Serenity*


Not that everyone... goes rushing by, studying their map, to rack up the Trail Miles... There are a few folks that stop and take the time... to enjoy the trip... and let it soak in...

*Love Birds in Zion*
We're walking along... seeing what there is to see... breathing free mountain air... and sometimes... you see weird things...

*The weirdest Hiking 'shoes' I've ever seen*
Not to worry... Those are something ya'll are NEVER gonna see on me... on my Raider... or any other place! :)

You walk across Far Country Traffic Backups at the bridges...

*Zion Canyon Traffic Jam*
... and Hikers in Training...

*Hiker getting his Indoctrination Hike*
Walking the dogs around this campground last night, we talked about one of the drawbacks or dangers... to boondocking. That's that... when you're camped out... all alone... in far country... there are no people around...

I know... that sounds odd for me to say... but... it's true... Staying in a forest or park camp for a bit is kinda nice... see the variety of ways of going... from the smallest back packing tent... to the humongous toy hauler motorhomes... and everything in between...

To be able to have conversations with people... and hear their stories...

Like... the guy who runs this lil' rig down the road... Full Timing...

*Minimalist Full-Timer*

... another proof that it don't take a huge rig... it takes the desire... and the hunger to wander...

Walking and Wondering...
Brian

Return to the main site of goin' RV Boondocking or Visit my Sister website Motorcycle Touring on Freedom Road

8 comments:

Ad said...

As always I really enjoy reading your blog. I especially enjoy your pictures. I would think that a digital table book with full size pictures and a description anotated to a map would be a great ebook. I would buy it...
Ad

Anonymous said...

Micro-badger? That looks like something we have here in Wisconsin that are called tree-rats.
mickameyer

Sharlotte said...

HUMMMMM I like William's idea. Love the waterfall picture. Again, you have outdone yourself. Second favorite is the lone tree with the dark background.
Now Brian, you know Heidi was planning on getting you a pair of those hiking shoes for your birthday. LOL

Unknown said...

I love the baby picture, just too cute!!!

Shadowmoss said...

I think the shoes are called Vibram 5-fingers (why not 5-toes?) and are getting to be quite popular. Don't knock it till you've tried it. :)

The minimalist setup interests me. I already have the Jeep. It could be a cheap(er) way for me to see if I want to full time. Once I get the credit card debt paid off, that is, and get back to the States.

Brian said...

so... now I've got on my plate... completing two new books, a campsite list section on the website and now... and ee-lek-tronic coffee table book! :o) ... Oh Lordy

Paula... His rig is pretty austere... but he has it all... a camp shower, a bed, drawers for his clothes... a heater, he uses a coleman stove and a cooler...all simple and clean... the trailer he said weighs in at 2200 lb. loaded... It don't go fast... but... he's not in a hurry! :o)

Ad said...

Wouldn't want you to feel bored!

Kimbopolo said...

I'm really taken with the photo of the minimalist camper. A great illlustration that it's not about the rig.