Floridians do Utah (a traverse plus some other stuff)
- Thread starter 40tude
- Start date
Bubblegoose1
@PNWINFERNOPRO
This is a great thread. Thanks for sharing your adventures.
40tude
Adventurer
Thanks, I have no idea what your username means, but it made me giggle
Bubblegoose1
@PNWINFERNOPRO
********
Bubblegoose is my dog's nickname. From a Wyclef/Southpark song.
Bubblegoose is my dog's nickname. From a Wyclef/Southpark song.
McZippie
Walmart Adventure Camper
40tude wrote:
"This road is washboard bumps after washboard bumps. The long days of driving, along with the heat, along with the washboard were creating the perfect storm brewing in the passenger seat next to me"
Nailed it! .... knowing the outburst is forthcoming and can't do anything to stop it.
Enjoying your trip report immensely!
Looking forward and speculating what's the next installment??? ...Maze District of Canyonland NP?
"This road is washboard bumps after washboard bumps. The long days of driving, along with the heat, along with the washboard were creating the perfect storm brewing in the passenger seat next to me"
Nailed it! .... knowing the outburst is forthcoming and can't do anything to stop it.
Enjoying your trip report immensely!
Looking forward and speculating what's the next installment??? ...Maze District of Canyonland NP?
40tude
Adventurer
Day 11 June 23, 2012
The day started with a short drive down the length of Montezuma Canyon. We spotted a few cliff dwellings (of which there are apparently many), but they do blend in really well. I wish I could have been riding shotgun, so I didn't have to pay attention to the road so much.
Along the road there is a pulloff for “Three Kiva Pueblo”, there are 3 kivas (duh) 2 of which are left as they were found, while the third has been restored. There is a ladder allowing you to climb down inside, which was very cool.
The destination for that morning was Hovenweep National Monument (this was our Native American ruins day). This required driving through part of the Navajo Reservation (driving through reservations is always depressing...but I digress).
Upon arriving at Hovenweep, we took a hike around to look at the buildings. I did not really know what to expect, and was shocked to see how many buildings there were. It was certainly impressive, not to mention the fact that they have been around so long.
After Hovenweep we headed for the border, and Mesa Verde in Colorado. (Goodbye Utah...well maybe). On the way to Mesa Verde we could see a great deal of smoke in the direction we were going. It turned out that a fire had just started the day before, it was nearly on the border of the park.
I had been to Mesa Verde before but Mrs. 40tude had not, it was not any less impressive for me this time around. We did the Balcony House tour first, and then went and did the Cliff Palace tour right after. These places are very moving, and it is amazing to imagine what life may have been like for these people.
Our next plan was to head to Durango, but we had been hearing differing reports about whether the highway was open or closed. (Apparently both had been true.) During the few hours we had been in the park the fire had crested the hill towards Mesa Verde.
We decided to go for it. The flames were visible from the roadway, and we were close enough to be able to see the helicopters dropping water on the burning hillsides. The fire was burning peoples land, and many residents were rushing to pack what they could and get out.
...On a lighter note, I spotted this FJ55 along the roadside coming into Durango. I have a soft spot in my heart for these babies (I used to have one but it was stolen). But I used my better judgment and let it be.
The sun was sinking fast and we were worried about finding a camp spot around town.
We happened upon Lightner Creek Campground, and decided it would have to do. There were a lot of people, but for the most part everyone quieted down at bedtime, and a long HOT shower was a great way to end the day.
The day started with a short drive down the length of Montezuma Canyon. We spotted a few cliff dwellings (of which there are apparently many), but they do blend in really well. I wish I could have been riding shotgun, so I didn't have to pay attention to the road so much.
Along the road there is a pulloff for “Three Kiva Pueblo”, there are 3 kivas (duh) 2 of which are left as they were found, while the third has been restored. There is a ladder allowing you to climb down inside, which was very cool.
The destination for that morning was Hovenweep National Monument (this was our Native American ruins day). This required driving through part of the Navajo Reservation (driving through reservations is always depressing...but I digress).
Upon arriving at Hovenweep, we took a hike around to look at the buildings. I did not really know what to expect, and was shocked to see how many buildings there were. It was certainly impressive, not to mention the fact that they have been around so long.
After Hovenweep we headed for the border, and Mesa Verde in Colorado. (Goodbye Utah...well maybe). On the way to Mesa Verde we could see a great deal of smoke in the direction we were going. It turned out that a fire had just started the day before, it was nearly on the border of the park.
I had been to Mesa Verde before but Mrs. 40tude had not, it was not any less impressive for me this time around. We did the Balcony House tour first, and then went and did the Cliff Palace tour right after. These places are very moving, and it is amazing to imagine what life may have been like for these people.
Our next plan was to head to Durango, but we had been hearing differing reports about whether the highway was open or closed. (Apparently both had been true.) During the few hours we had been in the park the fire had crested the hill towards Mesa Verde.
We decided to go for it. The flames were visible from the roadway, and we were close enough to be able to see the helicopters dropping water on the burning hillsides. The fire was burning peoples land, and many residents were rushing to pack what they could and get out.
...On a lighter note, I spotted this FJ55 along the roadside coming into Durango. I have a soft spot in my heart for these babies (I used to have one but it was stolen). But I used my better judgment and let it be.
The sun was sinking fast and we were worried about finding a camp spot around town.
We happened upon Lightner Creek Campground, and decided it would have to do. There were a lot of people, but for the most part everyone quieted down at bedtime, and a long HOT shower was a great way to end the day.
TheGreenBeast
New member
man, that looked like a pretty FJ55 from the picture minus the one rotten lower fender....I want one. Well I want one of each really, but man those 55's are awesome....
40tude
Adventurer
Ha! You know my wife?
McZippie
Walmart Adventure Camper
Wish I did... Very attractive!
Try this one on to see if it fits....
Wife offers little help with planning and dishes out a lot grief about the trip.
First day of trip still negative, by second to third day it's now becomes 'her' trip and she dictating the itinerary.
40tude
Adventurer
Well I was not going to reply to this (to avoid getting myself into trouble), but Mrs. 40Tude saw it, laughed, and proclaimed, "Hey, that's me!"
40tude
Adventurer
Day 12 June 24, 2012
I should start by mentioning that at this point in the trip we had no real plans, we had accomplished our goal of the Utah traverse and now we didn't know what to do. Our plans for the day were to do a load of laundry and then go mess around in Durango for a bit and see what to do next.
Laundry was slightly more interesting than usual, somehow this guy survived being in the dryer with our load of clothes.
We walked around Durango a bit, bought some books and a game (Rivals of Catan), did some cruiser spotting, and ate some lunch a Himalayan place (never a good idea when hiking or camping, but we always seem to do it.
After lunch, I was encouraged to book a flyfishing trip. (I really need no encouragement at all but getting past the price tag).
Well now we had a bit of a plan for tomorrow, and we now knew that we needed to stay near Durango for the night.
We drove up the Junction Creek trail out of Durango into the San Juan National Forest, hoping to find a place for the night.
It was a nice drive with great scenery and still had some views of snow.
After looking around a while we pulled off on a side trail and were coming up what looked like a perfect campsite, then we saw a bra in the road and a tent. (OK lets turn around)
A few minutes later we found another campsite, yet again we were inundated by flying insects. Oh well, we survived.
I should start by mentioning that at this point in the trip we had no real plans, we had accomplished our goal of the Utah traverse and now we didn't know what to do. Our plans for the day were to do a load of laundry and then go mess around in Durango for a bit and see what to do next.
Laundry was slightly more interesting than usual, somehow this guy survived being in the dryer with our load of clothes.
We walked around Durango a bit, bought some books and a game (Rivals of Catan), did some cruiser spotting, and ate some lunch a Himalayan place (never a good idea when hiking or camping, but we always seem to do it.
After lunch, I was encouraged to book a flyfishing trip. (I really need no encouragement at all but getting past the price tag).
Well now we had a bit of a plan for tomorrow, and we now knew that we needed to stay near Durango for the night.
We drove up the Junction Creek trail out of Durango into the San Juan National Forest, hoping to find a place for the night.
It was a nice drive with great scenery and still had some views of snow.
After looking around a while we pulled off on a side trail and were coming up what looked like a perfect campsite, then we saw a bra in the road and a tent. (OK lets turn around)
A few minutes later we found another campsite, yet again we were inundated by flying insects. Oh well, we survived.
McZippie
Walmart Adventure Camper
Glad Mrs. 40Tude enjoyed the comments about 'my' wife.
40tude
Adventurer
Day 13 June 25, 2012
The day started with us rushing to get packed, and then hurrying down the mountain on Junction Creek Trail. We had an early appointment at Duranglers for our flyfishing date. After making it nearly on time, we got kitted out, and then jumped in the truck with our guide Tony Meyer.
We drove right up to ---- (ya right), got out and took a bit of hike. After Mrs. 40tude got a few casting lessons (she had never been), we went to work.
After getting some instruction on how to fish the mountain streams (I am a novice myself), the fish started coming in at a high frequency.
I managed over 30 of these beautiful high-mountain cutthroat in the ensuing hours.
There is nothing in this world so relaxing as flyfishing in the mountains.
During the past few days Mrs. 40tude had been hinting (hinting is a very nice way to put it) that she wanted to go back to Utah. I (being more practical) thought that driving westward, when we had to be back in FL in a few days was a silly plan. Apparently, flyfishing had put my in a fantastic mood (was this her plan all along?), and I decided that she had been awesome over the past 2 wks. and that since I didn't have a better plan I would just go back to Utah.
We decided we would first drive back to Gemini Bridges, camp for the night, then drive Gemini Bridges to Islands in the Sky, and from there come up with a route back to Zion.
After arriving back in Durango we ate a Gaspacho's (not impressed), we got in the cruiser and found ourselves a dead battery...weird. Luckily I had my dual battery system installed, and started it off the second one, we drove down the road a ways to a fuel station, filled up, and again no start. This time things weren't so easy. For whatever reason my IBS system would not link, it would not show any power. (Perhaps this happens when there is absolutely nothing left in the main battery. After fussing around a bit, a nice tow truck driver in the parking lot jumped us with a jump box.
I thought what the heck, let's just get to Moab, maybe it will charge on the way, if not we can deal with it there. Not to long after this the sun was setting, we turned on the lights, and as it turns out we had no dash lights. No gauges were lit up at all. We pulled over to the side of the road to diagnose. I pulled off the fuse cover, none of the labels said anything about dash or gauges. Due to our battery situation, I couldn't shut the engine off, which meant I didn't want to start pulling fuses to find the bad one. We drove on, while I searched through the manual. I was able to track it down to the tail light fuse (aha!). This fuse had blown many days before when the exhaust melted the license plate light wiring. I had cut the wires back, but as I recall, Mrs. 40tude had flipped them on just before I did this. Problem solved.
We pulled into Moab, stopped for gas again, and turned the key over hoping. Nothing. I was able to link to the second battery this time. After depressing thoughts, we decided we should just stay in a hotel for the night and work it out in the morning rather than end up stranded out in Gemini Bridges. I found a hotel right across from a parts store (so I could walk there in the morning if need be). The end to the day was not as relaxing as the beginning.
The day started with us rushing to get packed, and then hurrying down the mountain on Junction Creek Trail. We had an early appointment at Duranglers for our flyfishing date. After making it nearly on time, we got kitted out, and then jumped in the truck with our guide Tony Meyer.
We drove right up to ---- (ya right), got out and took a bit of hike. After Mrs. 40tude got a few casting lessons (she had never been), we went to work.
After getting some instruction on how to fish the mountain streams (I am a novice myself), the fish started coming in at a high frequency.
I managed over 30 of these beautiful high-mountain cutthroat in the ensuing hours.
There is nothing in this world so relaxing as flyfishing in the mountains.
During the past few days Mrs. 40tude had been hinting (hinting is a very nice way to put it) that she wanted to go back to Utah. I (being more practical) thought that driving westward, when we had to be back in FL in a few days was a silly plan. Apparently, flyfishing had put my in a fantastic mood (was this her plan all along?), and I decided that she had been awesome over the past 2 wks. and that since I didn't have a better plan I would just go back to Utah.
We decided we would first drive back to Gemini Bridges, camp for the night, then drive Gemini Bridges to Islands in the Sky, and from there come up with a route back to Zion.
After arriving back in Durango we ate a Gaspacho's (not impressed), we got in the cruiser and found ourselves a dead battery...weird. Luckily I had my dual battery system installed, and started it off the second one, we drove down the road a ways to a fuel station, filled up, and again no start. This time things weren't so easy. For whatever reason my IBS system would not link, it would not show any power. (Perhaps this happens when there is absolutely nothing left in the main battery. After fussing around a bit, a nice tow truck driver in the parking lot jumped us with a jump box.
I thought what the heck, let's just get to Moab, maybe it will charge on the way, if not we can deal with it there. Not to long after this the sun was setting, we turned on the lights, and as it turns out we had no dash lights. No gauges were lit up at all. We pulled over to the side of the road to diagnose. I pulled off the fuse cover, none of the labels said anything about dash or gauges. Due to our battery situation, I couldn't shut the engine off, which meant I didn't want to start pulling fuses to find the bad one. We drove on, while I searched through the manual. I was able to track it down to the tail light fuse (aha!). This fuse had blown many days before when the exhaust melted the license plate light wiring. I had cut the wires back, but as I recall, Mrs. 40tude had flipped them on just before I did this. Problem solved.
We pulled into Moab, stopped for gas again, and turned the key over hoping. Nothing. I was able to link to the second battery this time. After depressing thoughts, we decided we should just stay in a hotel for the night and work it out in the morning rather than end up stranded out in Gemini Bridges. I found a hotel right across from a parts store (so I could walk there in the morning if need be). The end to the day was not as relaxing as the beginning.