Just A New Twist On Travel

Humans are a strange species.  Many are blessed or cursed with a travel gene. This gene is no respecter of persons and there is no way to predict who will be born with it. Often people who did not inherit the gene find those who did rather annoying. In their eyes a travel gene is a disability which causes restless feet and over active brain activity. It is important that people with this extra gene find a partner who also carries it. The relationship just works better and smoother.

Travelers are always looking for something new, different and the next adventure. Unfortunately for us, it is a tear drop trailer which we keep pushing to its limits in an effort to see just how far we can roam with this little beast. We need to know its cold weather capabilities just in case we need a quick get away during intolerable weather this winter. We took it 84 miles down the road to Craters of the Moon National Monument. A great place to test its proficiency. There are no modern amenities this time of year, just cool temperatures--a good place to try a taste of early winter. Most people would not view this as fun or even sane but they are normal, therefor they see things in a much different light.

Morning sun is deceiving  A cold 23

We did not freeze You can spend a comfortable night in a small insulated space with proper bedding. Faces get cold, but a blanket tented over your face solves the problem. A cold 23 degrees outside by morning which surprised us. The Little Guy passed with flying colors and lives to pursue more adventures. I don't want to paint a too rosy picture because not everything was all that great. Because the water was turned off the pit toilet was the modern day option. No matter how you disguise it by changing the name it is still an outhouse. In fact outhouse sounds much better and even more hygienic. But as with every negative a positive can be found and in this case it was the lack of electricity--a blessing in disguise.

Sometimes plain is beauty

By night the full moon provided soft light and illuminated the rocks. We woke to a blue sky, bright sun and frost. A beautiful November day. A real treat this time of year and a great way to great a chill morning. The little adventure was successful and fun--just something out of the ordinary that adds a spark when life becomes too predicable. 

A little bit of frost to greet the day

Snow Canyon State Park--St. George Utah

sketch by Nolan olson
October 23, 2014


What a beautiful morning! Such a trite statement, but if it says it all why try for something better. This is the first day of our trip to Snow Canyon with our new tear drop trailer. We are the mini RV in the campground and this little out fit draws much attention. The big rig people are amazed we can sleep comfortably and make meals from our tailgate kitchen.  People walk past our camp site very slow trying not be obvious as they give us a side angle glance while still pretending to look straight ahead. Often they walk by more than once. "Come on over and take a look." "Oh, don't want to bother you, but that sure is cute. Soon they have surveyed the whole outfit short of crawling in and trying the bed. I can see it in their eyes. They really, really want to.

October 25, 2014

Gave two more trailer showings. This Little Guy just draws people like a magnetic force. Last night we joined a group led by a naturalist on a star walk to the sand dunes. Yes, we have seen the stars and constellations more than just a few times, Nolan particularly, since he is the Dark Sky Ranger at Crater's of the Moon, but it was a unique experience to view the sky from the vantage point of the sand dunes. An owl adding background noise with soft hoots.

Woke early this morning just as the sun touched the tops of the red rock mountains. I think this time of day is the most spectacular as the light gradually creeps toward the canyon floor. The dark drape of night slides back to reveal the brilliance of the landscape.

Gila monsters are alive and well in the canyon. Walked with the wildlife biologist as she showed a group the habitat of the Gila monster.  Rocks, crevices, and scrub brush are favorite hiding places and they blend so well with the natural landscape locating one is very difficult. It was an education about a species I hope to not encounter close up and personal. They are prehistoric looking, ugly, and poisonous .


October 26, 2014

A campground is a society unto itself.  It is very similar to a small neighborhood. People come from various states as well as foreign countries and come together in a tight communal living space. Inhibitions seem to be put aside, possibly because the time and shared space is short term and then everyone moves on to never meet again. Walking to the showers in the morning or to the restroom in sleeping attire is perfectly acceptable. No one cares or finds it offensive. People seem genuinely happy and relaxed. There is no shyness about saying hello, how are you, or beautiful day to a complete stranger.  Often that stranger will stop for a casual conversation before moving on. You trade information about where you live, how far you have traveled, and favorite places that are a must see. Conversations never run long and the participants part company respecting each others privacy.

We are in the minority because we do not travel with a dog.  First of all a dog would over crowd the tear drop and secondly we have been there and done that so why do it again. These dogs are so well traveled they don't bark or charge ahead on their leashes. The fluffy white dog next to use rests on the picnic table with his own towel spread on top. He is a die hard traveler.  His man buddy says all he has to do is say trailer and the dance begins.

October 27, 2014

 New neighbors arrived yesterday with much bigger trailers than ours. Actually, any trailer is bigger than ours. I am certain that we generate many conversations among our fellow campers. The conversation probably starts like this, "How do they sleep in there and isn't difficult cooking meals?" The answer is--we sleep very well on our queen size bed and cooking is just a matter of being organized and remembering that less is more It is amazing how creative you can be with a two burner stove and two pans. We love sleeping in our little bed on wheels. We are snug and comfy. The mornings are filled with the smells of breakfast floating through the air. The evening smells are just as aromatic as supper time approaches. Everyone seems to linger over the last meal of the day while feeling the chill in the air arrive and listening to the night sounds. Just a pleasant way to end the day. Our time in Sow Canyon has come to a conclusion and reluctantly we have packed things away and realize we have a bad case of travel fever that may not be cured any time soon.