Paria Outpost 7/10/08

Hi All, It's us again.
We didn't make much progress yesterday.I only drove about 50miles.But at least we got out of Az. Even though we loved it there and the people and scenery were great.
We were headed up hiway 89 and we were looking for some place to eat lunch.We passed a restaurant that had a b.b.q going. It smelled so good,that I stopped in the middle of the road and started backing up.Luckily there was nothing behind me. I backed up for a quarter mile before I got to the driveway.We pulled in and the stupid place was closed.[there oughta be a law]But after carefully looking around for food I saw a sign that read"horseback riding and camping"
This is the perfect place for us.We drive in and it's like being at home.The people at Paria Canyon Adventure Ranch were GREAT. Mary,Lizzy,Hal,Kathy and Aden,made us feel soo at home.They put us in a camp site,let the boys do pretty much whatever they wanted.[Played pool, hiked,danced,played in water, played with puppies,met lots of people from other countries,and most important they got to go horseback ridding]They cooked us the best steak dinner we've had on the trip.IT WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE.I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THEM to anyone traveling on hiway 89 in Utah.They have cabins,rv sites and tent sites.
Anyway we left OUR favorite camp ground so far, this morning and headed for The Arches National Pk.Durango,Col.Then on to Pagosa Springs and Denver.
We are really liking these unscheduled stops. They seem to be the best.
Well that's aout it for now .

Take care and be careful
Jan

Wickenburg,AZ 6/26/08

Hi all,

We're not in Las Vegas any more. We left Vegas at around 9 am. yesterday and went to Hoover Dam. By 10:30 am. the temp was already at 98. We had to park almost a mile away and we couldn't find a shuttle. Soo we just looked at the dam from waayyy up high and took off. Both boys and I were disappointed but we sort of made up for it later. When we got into AZ we stopped at Willow Creek Campground and boat launch. We had lunch there. The boys fed the ducks and waded in the river. It really was beautiful there. Not quite up to Hoover Dam standards but close.

Next we found a camp ground called Burro Creek. This was about a mile off of Highway 93 in AZ. It would have been great except it was about a 100 ft. above the water and straight down. Oh well, we decided to go on. A couple hrs. later we found a horse camp in Wickenburg, AZ. PERFECT for my boys. They were off looking for snakes, lizards, toads and bugs. They found a snake skin and a railroad trestle. They also could have found wild pigs. I would really rather they didn't.

It was sooooo nice to wake up this morning and have it cooler then when we went to bed. It's actually nice outside.

I hope to make it to Gila Bend this afternoon. Then on to Organ Pipe Park on Fri.

Well, you all have a good day and I'll try to write some tomorrow.

Jan