Each day gets harder and harder to beat the little treasures we come across, but today came close to topping them all.
It's May 24th, and we finally made it one week into the road trip. We woke up a little groggy in the A&A RV park adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park. Already knowing that we were in no rush, we slowly crawl out to greet the sun. I (Eric) was the first out of the tent and immediately needed to refresh. Luckily, the campsite offered showers and bathrooms so I was able to douse my head in cool water and wake myself up for the big day. When I returned, the girls were making breakfast, oatmeal and whatever fruit we still had left. After a light breakfast and packing up the tent and gear, we left the park on our way to the Four Corners and eventually, Arizona.
The Four Corners is a special place to us because we knew it was the exact place our Uncle Eric had laid back in the early 80s. The trip altogether was in remembrance of he and our mother who had done a similar trip. We arrived at the Navajo operated park, paid the fee and entered. The Four Corners is the only place in the country where four states meet in one spot; Utah, Arizona, New Mexico and Colorado. Although it may not sound as exciting as ancient Anasazi cliff dwellings, to us it was spectacular.
We each took turns taking pictures of the intersection which was surrounded by desert on all four sides. The girls posed as if they were playing twister in all four states and I did a full hand stand. Of course, we did the spread eagle pose just like our Uncle Eric. We knew he was watching us with a grin on his face.
After leaving the Four Corners, we drove for a few hours before becoming a little anxious at all the fantastic Southwestern scenery. There was no way that we would stay confined in that little Saturn while a thrilling hiking was right outside the door. So we pulled over in front of a gate which read "Keep Gate Closed." It wasn't private property or anything so we proceeded over the gate and into the desert. Around us lay tall, dry mountainous cliffs and down below was an almost dried up river bed. However, to get down we needed a little muscle. I was the first, followed by Carolyn and then Meredith. Meredith, being the voice of reason, continued to question the danger that we wished to become apart of. But, 2 against 1 always prevails so she followed us down the sketchy path. We slid down a dusty landscape that was steep to say the least, cacti everywhere while tumble weeds blew by like an old western movie. After finally finding a "path" to the bottom, we walked along the dried up arroyo where dozens of animal tracks followed along its edge.
We took many pictures and drank copious amounts of water until we decided that we had accomplished enough to head back up the dusty trail. This time, a different path :)
Back in the car again dripping with sweat, we drove West towards the Grand Canyon. Pulling over at a gas station that promised $3.59/gallon where we saw a group of bikers that looked just like the Sons of Anarchy. The girls shared a few words with them smiling and wishing they could ride on their bad ass motorcycles. But just like that, we hit the road once more.
As we entered the town of Page, Arizona we wanted to head south to see the North Rim of the grand Canyon but due to road closings, we were unable. It would have been way out of the way and it was just more beneficial for all of us to drive northwards to Zion. But we did manage to find the nearest Sonic which lifted our spirits.
On our way to Kanab, Utah which was an hour south of Zion and our next destination, we discovered something pretty incredible.
Again, the three of us were getting antsy to get out and explore the magnificent landscape that lined our drive north. We found a spot to park, put on our boots, grabbed our water and stepped into the wild. There was no one else hiking which gave us a sense of isolation, just how we liked it. Climbing the rocks and sweating like dogs, we trudged further into the hot sand until we found it.
All at once, we spotted what looked like a junkyard in between the canyon rock face. As we got closer it became clear to us that they were abandoned cars stacked on top of each other. These weren't just any cars, each one was at least 30 to 60 years old. To our fascination, the cars looked like they were put their on purpose. There was about 30 cars piled high against the rocky face. I had to get a closer look to see a license plate. "California-1970." It was an old Monaco that had been demolished. Why were they there? Why wasn't there more people at this site? We had no idea but one thing was for sure, it was a pivotal moment during our journey to come across something so mysterious and fascinating.
We furthered into the canyon climbing over rocks and boulders that needed some experience in climbing to get past. It came to a point where we couldn't go any further and on the way back up, we all helped one another get up a steep rock stuck in between the canyon walls. I leaped up first while Carolyn and Meredith struggled. However, with our trifecta of teamwork, we were able to get up and walk back up the canyon. Mesmerized by the pile up of cars, we decided to call it "Junkyard Canyon." Those cars were a mystery to us but that was the best; not knowing.
So we drove another 30 minutes before coming to Kanab, Utah where we found a nice RV Campsite to spend the night. We even got to treat ourselves by going out to eat at a Mexican Restaurant. O fue una buena noche!
All three of us began setting up camp at Crazy Horse campgrounds--which was easy on our wallets and also had laundry and showers! Bonus:-) Setting up camp became rapidly easy for the Milburn kids and we did it in under 7mins. After our tent was ready we walked over to a Mexican restaurant to eat some good cheap food. Exhausted around 10 we walked back to the campsite. Sharing laughs and stories, we laid back in our sleeping bags ready for whatever tomorrow had in store for us.
It's May 24th, and we finally made it one week into the road trip. We woke up a little groggy in the A&A RV park adjacent to Mesa Verde National Park. Already knowing that we were in no rush, we slowly crawl out to greet the sun. I (Eric) was the first out of the tent and immediately needed to refresh. Luckily, the campsite offered showers and bathrooms so I was able to douse my head in cool water and wake myself up for the big day. When I returned, the girls were making breakfast, oatmeal and whatever fruit we still had left. After a light breakfast and packing up the tent and gear, we left the park on our way to the Four Corners and eventually, Arizona.
We each took turns taking pictures of the intersection which was surrounded by desert on all four sides. The girls posed as if they were playing twister in all four states and I did a full hand stand. Of course, we did the spread eagle pose just like our Uncle Eric. We knew he was watching us with a grin on his face.
After leaving the Four Corners, we drove for a few hours before becoming a little anxious at all the fantastic Southwestern scenery. There was no way that we would stay confined in that little Saturn while a thrilling hiking was right outside the door. So we pulled over in front of a gate which read "Keep Gate Closed." It wasn't private property or anything so we proceeded over the gate and into the desert. Around us lay tall, dry mountainous cliffs and down below was an almost dried up river bed. However, to get down we needed a little muscle. I was the first, followed by Carolyn and then Meredith. Meredith, being the voice of reason, continued to question the danger that we wished to become apart of. But, 2 against 1 always prevails so she followed us down the sketchy path. We slid down a dusty landscape that was steep to say the least, cacti everywhere while tumble weeds blew by like an old western movie. After finally finding a "path" to the bottom, we walked along the dried up arroyo where dozens of animal tracks followed along its edge.
We took many pictures and drank copious amounts of water until we decided that we had accomplished enough to head back up the dusty trail. This time, a different path :)
Back in the car again dripping with sweat, we drove West towards the Grand Canyon. Pulling over at a gas station that promised $3.59/gallon where we saw a group of bikers that looked just like the Sons of Anarchy. The girls shared a few words with them smiling and wishing they could ride on their bad ass motorcycles. But just like that, we hit the road once more.
As we entered the town of Page, Arizona we wanted to head south to see the North Rim of the grand Canyon but due to road closings, we were unable. It would have been way out of the way and it was just more beneficial for all of us to drive northwards to Zion. But we did manage to find the nearest Sonic which lifted our spirits.
On our way to Kanab, Utah which was an hour south of Zion and our next destination, we discovered something pretty incredible.
Again, the three of us were getting antsy to get out and explore the magnificent landscape that lined our drive north. We found a spot to park, put on our boots, grabbed our water and stepped into the wild. There was no one else hiking which gave us a sense of isolation, just how we liked it. Climbing the rocks and sweating like dogs, we trudged further into the hot sand until we found it.
All at once, we spotted what looked like a junkyard in between the canyon rock face. As we got closer it became clear to us that they were abandoned cars stacked on top of each other. These weren't just any cars, each one was at least 30 to 60 years old. To our fascination, the cars looked like they were put their on purpose. There was about 30 cars piled high against the rocky face. I had to get a closer look to see a license plate. "California-1970." It was an old Monaco that had been demolished. Why were they there? Why wasn't there more people at this site? We had no idea but one thing was for sure, it was a pivotal moment during our journey to come across something so mysterious and fascinating. We furthered into the canyon climbing over rocks and boulders that needed some experience in climbing to get past. It came to a point where we couldn't go any further and on the way back up, we all helped one another get up a steep rock stuck in between the canyon walls. I leaped up first while Carolyn and Meredith struggled. However, with our trifecta of teamwork, we were able to get up and walk back up the canyon. Mesmerized by the pile up of cars, we decided to call it "Junkyard Canyon." Those cars were a mystery to us but that was the best; not knowing.
So we drove another 30 minutes before coming to Kanab, Utah where we found a nice RV Campsite to spend the night. We even got to treat ourselves by going out to eat at a Mexican Restaurant. O fue una buena noche!
All three of us began setting up camp at Crazy Horse campgrounds--which was easy on our wallets and also had laundry and showers! Bonus:-) Setting up camp became rapidly easy for the Milburn kids and we did it in under 7mins. After our tent was ready we walked over to a Mexican restaurant to eat some good cheap food. Exhausted around 10 we walked back to the campsite. Sharing laughs and stories, we laid back in our sleeping bags ready for whatever tomorrow had in store for us.
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