From Moab to Capitol Reef
to Bryce Canyon
A Most frustrating day!
I put a lot of time into
researching our destination taking into consideration distance, type of road,
weather, etc.
I wanted to stay at a
campground at Capitol Reef NP. When I
researched it I read reviews that suggested we arrive early as all the sites
are first come first served.
We set the alarm for 6AM
and pulled out of Ken’s Lake Campground by 8AM.
I went to gas up while Monte went to the feed store to dump the
tanks. We were delayed by road
construction and didn’t arrive at Fruita Campground until noon. We had driven 150 miles to get here and IT
WAS ALREADY FULL.
What was frustrating was
that there were actually some tent sites available and there were several
different large RV sites being occupied by a small car and one tent.
We couldn’t find any
place to stay so we decided to skip Capitol Reef and continue on to Bryce
Canyon.
We called the campground. There was a recording stating that there were
sites available.
Just as we were
approaching the town of Richfield, Monte radioed back to me that his check
engine light had come on. NOT
AGAIN.
The truck was running
okay so we continued into the town because we both needed gas. When Monte saw there was a Dodge Dealer he
went in and asked if they could read the code.
It turned out to be an
accelerator position sensor. They didn’t
have the part but said they could order it but it would take 4 days. The mechanic assured Monte that it was safe
to drive and if the light were to come on again he could just pull over, turn
off the engine for a few minutes and the light should be out when he turns the
truck back on.
When we told him we were
going to be going to Zion next week, he said we could go to the dodge dealer in
St. George to have the sensor replaced.
By the time we arrived at
the Bryce Canyon entrance booth it was 5PM.
There was a sign stating that the campground was full.
We didn’t enter the park but went back into
town and pulled into the Bryce Canyon shuttle parking lot to work on plan C.
We called the RV park
directly across from the parking lot.
They only had one site left in their overflow lot. We could have it for a mere $29.50 for no
services. We passed on the offer.
Monte checked on his GPS
for BLM or Forest Service campgrounds.
There was one 10 miles away. When
we tried calling we kept getting a message that all circuits are busy.
We drove to the
campground and, YEP-full. BUT the camp
host told us about a very small 4 site forest service campground up the road
that might have an opening. There is no
sign on the road advertising the campground located one mile off the main
highway down a gravel road.
I mentioned to the host that we didn’t have
that much water and he let us fill up.
On the road leading to the campground I disturbed a herd of antelope.
We found the campground
and WOW- there was one site available.
We paid for four
nights. Our next destination is
Zion. I had originally planned on us
staying in the park but I think I have to do some more research and try to find
a BLM or Forest Service (or a boondocking spot) outside of the park.
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