Glendale, Utah

July 8, 2008



Today started slowly. We took our time getting up. After walking Pooh Bear, we began the process of getting underway. It was about 10:30 am when we pulled out. Sue wanted to see the Las Vegas strip so we drove through town on a road parallel to Interstate 15. We both said to the other that we had no real desire to spend any time in the midst of all of the glitz of Las Vegas. I think it must resemble a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah.

We topped off with fuel and then got on I-15 and headed toward Salt Lake City, Utah. For the first time this trip, we paid over $5.00 per gallon for the fuel. We travelled through northeastern Nevada, northwestern Arizona and into Southwestern Utah. We stopped in St. George for lunch and shortly thereafter left I-15 on Utah Route 9. As we travelled the elevation rose significantly and we found ourselves in a beautiful mountainous area. We arrived in Zion National Park. I was told that if we were going to drive through the Park, we needed to drop the Chrysler off the tow dolly and Sue would have to drive the car.

After Sue drove the Chrysler off the tow dolly, I tilted the bed back up and inserted the locking pin and safety clip. Apparently I did not get the clip in correctly as when we arrived at the campground, Sue said I had been dragging the ramps of the tow dolly the entire way. Fortunately, I was able to hammer one of the side pieces back into shape and I had an extra safety pin in my tool box. This was the first day with any real difficulties with the coach. It is so hot here that as we travel that the dash A/C could not keep up with the temperature in the coach. We normally run the generator as we travel and with that we can turn on the house A/C to keep us cooler. Today the generator repeatedly quit for no apparent reason. I need to check oil, coolant and then pray a lot. We can’t come back across the country in this heat without having the unit serviced. I think Sue was really glad to drive the Chrysler as she had a working A/C for the last hour of the trip.

The trip through Zion was most interesting. We traveled about 10 miles of constant switchbacks some of which were so tight that I could not stay in my own lane. We were escorted through a tunnel that had a clearance so low that I was required to drive with the center of the Silver Lady on the centerline of the tunnel to avoid hitting the low ceilings. It was a challenging trip, but I was amazed at how easy the Silver Lady was to handle. The scenery in Zion looked absolutely gorgeous but I saw little as I drove. We are coming back to Zion tomorrow to explore the Park. I’ll see more then. I will admit that I was exhausted when we arrived at the KOA.

Coming out of the Park, we continued on for about 30 miles to Glendale, Utah and then further north to the KOA. The campground is really out in the middle of nowhere. We are in a valley with major hills on both sides of us. We are by far the biggest rig in here, but got set up with no difficulty. After a short nap, Sue headed for the campground laundry to wash clothes from the river trip. While doing laundry she put the finishing touches on several of the previous Grand Canyon postings. She has such a delicate touch with words and adds great word pictures to my simple prose.

As I traveled the last part of the trip today alone in the Silver Lady, I realized again how much I appreciate Sue being there to help with the navigation, reading the road signs and general encouragement. She is truly my co-pilot and for that I am extremely thankful.