Getting to Utah 2015

The plan for the first 12 days

The plan for the first 12 days

It is great to be back on the road again. A trip to Utah has been on the bucket list for several years. Finally things fell into place for us to take on the adventure. The trip planning started in January. This trip required reservation so the first part of the trip is pretty much set in stone. It is broken down into four sections: Getting to Utah, North Utah, South Utah and ending with Utah back to Gulf Shores. The trip plan is 62 days with some flexibility at the end to add more days.

This first section covers seven states in 12 days.

Here we are packed and ready to go...looking more relaxed already

Here we are packed and ready to go…looking more relaxed already

The trip started on Monday, August 17th. We got up that morning with no electric. This forced us to come up quickly with a “Plan B”. It was great that Marty was there to pick up the pieces that we had to leave behind. We were only an hour behind the planned departure time as we drove down the hill heading to Utah. The trip will end in Gulf Shores mid-October…

First Stop is Lunch in Petoskey, yes we are on the road again!

First Stop is Lunch in Petoskey, yes we are on the road again!

The first part of the trip is one that we have made hundreds of time over the years. We stopped in Petoskey for lunch and to relax a bit.

A stop to view the Mackinac Bridge is a must

A stop to view the Mackinac Bridge is a must

The old light house at the Mackinac Straits is cool plus it is very photogenic

The old light house at the Mackinac Straits is cool plus it is very photogenic

Of course a stop at the Mackinac Bridge is a must. I must have at least a hundred pictures of the bridge archived.

First night Lake Michigan Campground - Hiawatha National Forest

First night Lake Michigan Campground – Hiawatha National Forest

The first night we spent at the Lake Michigan Campground which is part of the Hiawatha National Forest. This is a great campground. It only has room for tents and small rigs. The new downsized RV fit nicely. Lake Michigan is up three feet over the last year. With the higher water level the beach has disappeared.

Great fun viewing the Lego displays...

Great fun viewing the Lego displays…

Mall of America Amusement Center

Mall of America Amusement Center

Great Fun for the Kid and Adults Too!

Great Fun for the Kid and Adults Too!

The next night we spent in Wisconsin. The next day was a conference call for The Ridge board of director’s quarterly meeting so we had to get up and get going early. The stop was near Minneapolis, Minnesota to catch the Mall of America. The Mall was impressive. We spent most of the day just wandering and taking in the sights. It was a nice onetime event, not sure we would need to go back. Our campsite was in the Lebanon Campground run by the city of Apple Valley. Highly recommend this as a RV stop.

 John is a Master at the Grill...great meal!

John is a Master at the Grill…great meal!

You can always find lots of greenery at John and Gingers...

You can always find lots of greenery at John and Gingers…

Then we made our way to Missouri to the Thousand Hills Campground in Kirksville. This is a State park. There we visited Jan’s Brother, John and his wife Ginger. It had been awhile since we had seen them and was pleased at the opportunity.

Golden Spike Tower in North Platte Nebraska

Golden Spike Tower in North Platte Nebraska

Union Pacific Bailey Rail Yard North Platte - 2,850 acres

Union Pacific Bailey Rail Yard North Platte – 2,850 acres

Rail museum in North Platte Nebraska

Rail museum in North Platte Nebraska

Old 3944 is big and impressive

Old 3944 is big and impressive

One of our objectives is to take in all 50 states. One that was still missing was Nebraska so we headed back North a bit. The first night was Lincoln and then a night at North Platte. There we took in the Golden Spike Tower which overlooks the impressive Union Pacific Rail Yard. This stop was recommended by Larry Shimer our resident train enthusiast. The city also has a nice train museum. The stop plan was a half a day which was more than enough.

Coming into the Rocky Mountain National Park

Coming into the Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain view from the Moraine Campground

Rocky Mountain view from the Moraine Campground

We scheduled three nights at the Rocky Mountain National Park at Estes Park, Colorado. My son Mark and I were there many years ago but Jan had not. My brother Duane lives near Denver so this was a great opportunity to catch up with him and his family.

The Deer Mountain trail is listed as moderate?  The climb is over 1,200 feet

The Deer Mountain trail is listed as moderate? The climb is over 1,200 feet

Deer Mountain Trial looking better

Deer Mountain Trial looking better

More trees at the lower elevation

More trees at the lower elevation

Estes Park from top of Deer Mountain

Estes Park from top of Deer Mountain

Valley view - note the smoke from Calfornia

Valley view – note the smoke from Calfornia

Looking west over the park

Looking west over the park

Enjoy the view to the East

Enjoy the view to the East

Looking North...Rain shower brewing which is an every day occurance

Looking North…Rain shower brewing which is an every day occurance

Northwest coming down

Northwest coming down

At the top...time for lunch

At the top…time for lunch

There is always a willing fellow hiker to take the photo at the top

There is always a willing fellow hiker to take the photo at the top

The park is outstanding. We had time for one hike. We had planned a nice hike but after a bit of consideration went from a 3,000 foot climb to 1,200. The trail up Deer Mountain was a nice challenge for us and if we had another day would have taken on the bigger challenge. The weather was perfect, the views great from 10,000 feet although a lot of haze from the California forest fires. We found it interesting that the recommendation was to be off the mountain by noon as there are thunder and lighting storms most afternoons. As predicted a storm moved through just as we were coming off.

Duane and Bobbi took us to the top of Mount Evans

Duane and Bobbi took us to the top of Mount Evans

Larry and Duane still smiling

Larry and Duane still smiling

Here we are at 14,000 Feet - However we drove this time

Here we are at 14,000 Feet – However we drove this time

Bobbi, Mary Lynn, Duane, Steve and Toby

Bobbi, Mary Lynn, Duane, Steve and Toby

The last day we caught up with Duane and Bobbi. They treated us to a road trip up Evan’s Mountain, a climb to 14,000 feet. There was a picnic at the top and at the end of the day caught up with Mary Lynn, Steve over Pizza. Then there was Toby who kept stealing my napkin and would return it for a hand out. The trip into Denver was impressive as we climbed up and down the different grades. It seemed like I was always the slow one…takes some self assurance to drive in the mountains.

Very early morning on the Ridge Road

Very early morning on the Ridge Road

Early Morning View Ridge Road at 12,000 Feet Rockies

Early Morning View Ridge Road at 12,000 Feet Rockies

The day we left Estes Park there were two choices out, down and around or over the top. The road over the top is called the Ridge Road which tops at 12,000. Large RVs are not encouraged. After a little soul searching we selected The Ridge road. The old truck did complain a bit and got hot under the collars once or twice which slowed the climb out for us. There were gorgeous views but worth the white knuckle experience.

Next we take on North Utah with the first stop at Dinosaur National Monument. Stay tuned as there is more to come as we take on the next 10 days.

God Bless,

Larry and Jan

One thought on “Getting to Utah 2015

  1. Peggy

    I am so thrilled to view your trip along the way. It’s fun for me to see some of the places where my husband and I toured many years ago. I love “traveling ” with you via my computer. Wonder if you will see some “live” dinosaurs in that park. ha. Keep enjoying your trip. I am happy for you.
    All’s well in Gulf Shores. (your plants are still living.)
    Peggy

    Reply

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