Yes, we’ve had some motorhome ‘grouchy’ times again. Things worked out ok in the end but were
looking grim for a while. Let me begin
at the beginning.
We pulled into Bryce Canyon National Park on Saturday the 11th
and decided to stay in the park campground.
We hadn’t tried ‘dry camping’ yet and this was a perfect time. (Note:
Dry camping is basically camping with no hook-ups at all … relying on
stored water, propane and battery power.)
We thought we’d be ok as we were full up on all the good stuff … lots of
food etc.
So first night was fine.
Beautiful area … we took a drive to the end of the park which is 18
miles long. We stopped at all the scenic
viewpoints which were amazing to behold!
Bryce is not really a canyon … like Zion … it’s more a plateau along a
ridge and you look down into the ‘amphitheatre’ to see the amazing
formations. Back to the campground and a
comfortable night with no hookups.
Sunday morning Bruce got up early (5 am) to catch the sunrise and the
light on the hoodoos (as it turned out he was about an hour early as sunrise
was at 6:22 am) and while he got some good photos he almost froze – actually mildly
hypothermic by the time he got back.
After he warmed up a bit we were off on our first hike – the Navajo loop
to the Queen’s Garden loop. It’s about a
3 – 4 mile hike and was SPECTACULAR! So
many amazing viewpoints it’s hard to make time … you have to stop every 10
steps to take more photos! Anyway we got
home eventually only to find everything dead.
No generator, no lights, no furnace, no FRIDGE!!! Bruce tried everything to no avail! Apparently the batteries were dead and that
was that!
So we had no choice but to forego the 2nd night
we’d already paid for in the park and headed for a private campground to be
able to plug into some hydro.
Hmmmm. The fridge still didn’t
work. So now it’s Sunday – and Mother’s
day to boot – and we have no power to the fridge! Bruce sweated his buns off trying to figure
it out.
He eventually went to the campground office to see if there
was a chance of a service station nearby to help us. Unfortunately – No.
The campground guy suggested a bunch of things that might be
the problem but we’d already thought of them.
He eventually came back and helped us with suggestions as to the
possible problem and VOILA … Bruce figured it out!!! Something about a loose connection to the
batteries. So we’re back in business!
Today we went for a longer hike – the Peek-a-Boo loop which
was over 5 miles and went from the top to the canyon floor. What a marvelous hike!! Unfortunately we’d started late (8:30am) as
Bruce woke up with a raging sore throat and needed a bit more sleep – so it was
quite hot at the end. It took us about 4
hours and we saw some of the most amazing sights! Bryce really is best seen from the bottom,
middle and top. You just can’t describe
it … you really have to experience it and I really, strongly suggest everyone
sees it at some point. Truly amazing!
Tomorrow we head out … going West toward the coast. I think we’ll make for the Oregon Coast and the road up
to our ferry at Port Angeles as it’s getting close to the end of our journey.
Till next time …
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