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

June 16 and 17

Hi everyone,

We've just finished our 5Th day since leaving Anderson. D and I went to Los Osos to pick B up at his house. We were able to spend 4 days with Stella, Mike and Danny before taking off on the rest of our adventure.

Yesterday we left Los Osos,Ca. at about 10 am. We took our time heading for Yosemite National Park. The boys both LOOOOVVVVEEEE!!! McDonald's food. So being the kind, loving grandmother I am, we stopped there for lunch around 1:30pm. As it turned out it was the only REAL food we had. We took one of my side trips. We were looking for Bass Lake. We thought we'd camp there over nite then head to Yosemite in the morning.

We found a resort, but no camping. We could see the lake water but could not find the camp grounds. WE EVEN STOPPED FOR DIRECTIONS. After about 2hrs. we gave up on Bass Lake.

We continued our search for Yosemite and a camp ground. As we entered the park, the rangers told us "no vacancies". Oh well, I decided to take the boys through the park and see about "OVER FLOW"parking.

BOY, was I ever glad I decided to go on through the park.

The time of day was prefect. The boys were looking out all the windows in the old Winnie at the same time. They were impressed with all the scenery. The trees, the rock formations, the deer and the tunnels. They're still talking about the tunnel sign the mirror clipped. I think the sign is a break away. Did no damage to mohome, just my pride.

Anyway, the boys were taking picts fast and furious. Half Dome was prefect. Shadows just rite. As we're traveling through the park, B sees a deer who sticks his tongue out at him. What a great place. They have the deer trained to stick their tongues out at kids. Continuing on we arrived at the opposite gate and we were told Over Flow was Full. By now I'm getting very tired. We try the two over flow sites and they're full. By chance I see a pull thru along the side of the road. I pull in and we have the prefect campsite, nice and level and off the road. I should mention that we've been in patchy snow for the last several hours. It's almost dark and I'm trying to wear B down so he can sleep after being in the mohome most of the day. He's telling me about the bear that might come visit us in the night. I'm saying "no the mohome is very safe". Who was trying to convince who?

We all finally went to sleep. Hoooray. I wake early, so in the morning I open the curtains to the most beautiful site. At least the boys were as impressed as I was. We were across the road from Mirror Lake with all the snow and shadows it was one beautiful site.

We were back on the road about 9am. We stopped in Lee Vinning and bought gas. 5$ a gal! I just ABOUT HAD A HEART ATTACH. $200 FOR 40 GALS. OH WELL PRICE MUCH BETTER IN Dayton NV. We had lunch and dinner with my step mom and my niece. Both boys met 2ND and 3rd cousins they'd never met.

We're staying in Dayton one more day so some mail can catch up with us. I'm going to try the pict.thing again.

Sorry I'm so long winded ,but a lot happened the last couple days.

Talk to you later.