May 20-21st ~ Travel days – On our way from Los Angeles to Grand Junction
View from the road, Spotted Wolf Canyon
GETTING READY: After our recent road trip, Ellie Mae and Jethro both needed a good washing, inside and out.
Tim and Kiyoshi got the outside while I cleaned the inside
I think I got the easier job!
Our route for the first two days:
Los Angeles to Grand Junction
Sunday – Heading out of the San Fernando Valley, we headed east on 210, then north on Interstate 15. We have traveled this road on numerous occasions on previous road trips as well as going to Las Vegas so we did not make any sightseeing stops or take pictures.
The scenery along this stretch of highway is mostly desert sand and scrub with some cacti scattered here and yonder to break it up a bit.
The scenery finally improved as we neared the end of day one, passing through the Virgin River Canyon Recreation Area. We had passed out of California, into Nevada, cut across the NW corner of Arizona and then decided to stop for our first evening.
VIRGIN RIVER CANYON RECREATION AREA
This is where we stopped for our first night
Just 20 miles south of Saint George, this BLM camping site is just right for one night if you are passing through and are self-contained. There are no hookups, but the price is right – $8 for overnight, but half price with the National Parks Senior Pass, so for us only $4! They even offer a monthly rate of $99.
There are also a couple of hiking trails right from the campsite, but we did not stay long enough to explore.
Our pull through spot overlooking the canyon
Monday – Continuing north on 15, passing through Saint George and eventually heading east on Interstate 70.
This was all new territory for me once we got onto 70, and I was not disappointed by the bountiful, enormous, multicolored, layers of rocks that splayed out in front of us.
There are numerous vista points along the way where you can take a break and with minimal effort walk down short paths to get some awe-inspiring views.
Here are our favorites from today:
Salt Wash of the San Rafael Swell
Salt Wash information board
Salt Wash
Devil’s Canyon
Devil’s Canyon Information
Devil’s Canyon
Spotted Wolf Canyon
Spotted Wolf Canyon Information
Spotted Wolf Canyon – (Tim got this sharp picture with his new iPhone)
Overnight: Grand Junction, Colorado. We stayed at the Junction West RV Park. It is just OK. Price was $52 for one night. Gravel lot, RV’s packed in, sewer hook-up is not screw on type, so some sewer odors leak. Location is convenient, near freeway and after a long drive we were ready to stop.
GRATITUDE MOMENT: We loved our previous two-week loop through Southern Oregon to share where I grew up with our long-time friends, Laura and Michael, but now I am super excited to be back on the road to see territory that is brand new for me. All of a sudden our 25 foot RV seems huge with just the two of us in here, LOL.
COMING NEXT: We are meeting our great travel buddies, Dick and Karen in Denver. They have a 32 foot RV and we will be traveling tandem through several National Parks in Colorado.
Hope you will join us!
A Note From Abroad 
Enjoy your next adventure.
LikeLike
Thank you Terry. I’m confident we will…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looking forward to this next one from both of you!
Enjoy and travel safely!
LikeLike
Hi Linda and Paul! Meeting up with Dick and Karen this evening. You know that the four of us will have some laughs together 😁
LikeLike
Love Colorado! I know you will enjoy it!
LikeLike
I have been to Denver in probably the late 70’s to visit a friend, and passed through in 1991 but have never done any sightseeing in this state. I’m super excited to correct that!
LikeLike
Looking forward to reading about your new adventure! Safe travels!
LikeLike
Thank you Sandra. It is wonderful to be “wandering” 😁
LikeLike
Yaaaay! On the road again! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
They do say people have ‘a home away from home’.
Your California house appears to be your home ‘away’ from your real home: Ellie Mae
LikeLike
We sure are happy and comfortable in Ellie Mae. And the continuous changing scenery is nice 😁
LikeLike
I am laughing as I read this because I just returned from Grand Junction last week and captured the same shots you have used plus a ton more. That stretch of highway has to be one of the most gorgeous ever seen. Our trip had cloudy skies from the previous week but it was nonetheless beautiful!! (My daughter, a non trad student, (in GJ) just graduated suma cum laude at age 51!)
LikeLike
It is such a small world in so many ways. Congratulations to your daughter. Wonderful accomplishment to graduate summa cum laude at any age!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you and I agree.
LikeLike
Spectacular pictures as always! You seemed well experienced in the world of RV traveling… by chance do you have any blog entries about how you got started with that for me to read? Ex how you learned to drive one, how you picked it out, first timer boo-boo’s, etc.? If not maybe an idea for a future blog? I’m sure many of us more novice travelers would be interested in your insights; my family had a camper for about a year when I was in jr high and my husband and I talk about maybe buying a motorhome someday. I drive a Chevy Cobalt though and really am not a fan of driving large vehicles so I’m somewhat hesitant, but love the convenience it would provide and cost over staying in hotels. Safe travels!
LikeLike
Hi Tracy! Thank you for your questions. I’m including a couple links that talk a little about why we chose the smaller RV and a little more about it. It does not address everything you asked, but it is a starting point. https://anotefromabroad.com/2016/11/27/another-chapter-morphing-our-travel-life-just-a-bit/
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you!
LikeLike
And this one: https://anotefromabroad.com/2016/12/02/birth-announcement-its-a-girl/
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will joins you for sure. I’m interested in your reaction to the parks in my adopted state.
LikeLike
Awesome! Audacious! Beautiful photos. Had to chuckle because I photo all the informational plaques, too! I think it adds so much to the story. If I show this to my husband, I’m afraid I’ll be off on another trip tomorrow! Happy trails!
LikeLike
Show him – and enjoy the journey 👍👍👍
LikeLike