Day 2 to Denver

What a difference a day makes!  Today it maxed out about 80 degrees, with lots of wind and a couple of showers and a lightening storm.  Very pleasant.

We were up and on the road by 9:30 a.m., and headed for Cedar City Frontier  Homestead State Park Museum.  It had displays of old  vehicles, farm tools, an iron forge  and some buildings.  It was “game day”, so we got in for half price ($1.50) and could run 3 legged races, play checkers, hoops, grace, sling shots, horseshoes and who knows what else.

The Noble forge  was the most interesting to me.  Brigham Young tried to set up an iron works for the settlers.  First the creek they selected to power the plant froze, then the indians took issue with the settlers and they had to build a fort, then the creek flooded and washed everything out.  They called it quits.

Jerry found rifles, but no tractors.

Next was Beaver.  To help us decide which option to take, Jerry bought a map.  What a concept!  You can see more than a mile at a time!  We ate our lunch at a little picnic area in front of Wendys. 

Since it wasn’t 104 degrees, I agreed to try the Capitol Reef National Park loop and Goblin Valley.

Jerry wanted to take a side trip to Fishlake, and fell in love with the old lodge.  They say 20 pound trout are quite common.

When we got to Capitol Reef, we took the scenic drive, even though it was getting late. 

We ended up skipping Goblin Valley, and made it to Ray’s Tavern about 7:30. 

A quick soak in the hot tub at River Terrace Inn, and here we are!  And the river is high!

On our way - Day 1

Day One of our  Denver Rafting Trip!

Step 1:  Drive to Denver.  OK, tonight's goal:  St. George, Utah


6 a.m. came early this morning, but we were ready to hit the road!  We wanted to beat the traffic.

Obsessive planning called for breakfast at Carrows in Barstow at 8 a.m.  

Well, the Carrows is now Coco's, and eagle-eye Jerry spotted a cafe with a full parking lot.  Always a good sign.  Yummy breakfast.

We were headed for Las Vegas by 9:30 a.m.

11:00 a.m.  91 degrees

Using Trip Advisor really worked it.  It found this "Red Rock Canyon Nature Conservancy" just 15 miles west of Las Vegas. 

We picked up a sandwich and salad at Food 4 Less in Las Vegas, and headed out on Blue Diamond Road. 

Too bad the GPS had never heard of it.  A half hour of driving in the blank got us here.

Here's a picture of Jerry taking pictures.  teehee

The plan was to drive the 13-mile scenic drive, and stop along the way for a picnic lunch.

I was hoping for a little shade, but not to be. 

The cooler in the back seat kept my walnut and cranberry salad cold.  It turned out to be pretty yummy.  A banana topped it off.

Jerry got a Coke bath when he opened his Coke. 

Elevation was about 4,500 feet. 

We looked for bighorn sheep, and burros, but didn't find either.

But some interesting plants.

Lots of places to hike, if you like HOT. 

It took us longer than the estimated 35 minutes, but we drove the loop.

2:30 p.m. we headed back around to the freeway and Mesquite.

Set the GPS for DQ.  Should get there about 4. 

I have a "thing" about Mesquite.  Last year I got heat stroke there.  I was better prepared this year, but it was still 104 degrees.  Options:  inside car with A/C running or inside DQ with A/C. 

We made reservations at Best Western in St. George (the "less expensive" place was full), and filled with gas. 

Somehow it was 6:00 by the time we left there.  Oh, the time changed! 

A beautiful drive through Virgin River Canyon, made the 40 mile drive go by quickly.  

We checked into to our hotel at St. George.  This is what we found.  That's a king bed and a spa tub.

After sitting by the outdoor pool (with waterfall) for awhile, we decided on a quick dinner, and an adventure to try to find the Dixie Overlook Trail.

  


Jerry had heard about a pulled pork sandwich at Burger King, and I had apple and carrots from my stash. 

Jerry asked directions, and this is what we found at 8:47 p.m. local time.  That's Zion National Park in the distance, St. George down below.

It quickly got too dark to take many pictures, but what a fun place to explore!  It's called Pioneer Park.

Fun with silhouettes.


Do you suppose this is the Boy Scout Cave?

Here's what's inside...

And then the lights came on...

D for Dixie

The temperature is finally dropping.

I liked the little loop at the top.

Decided to make reservations at our favorite place in Green River for tomorrow night.  Not available online, but Jerry called direct and got them.

A really fun day!