To Utah Lake

Wednesday July 13, 2011
Utah Lake State Park Site 25
Provo, Utah

We were packing up to leave Cedar Breaks
when David noticed a fellow who had just pulled in
and was now outside putting up
a HUGE stand alone antenna.  
He was curious about whether that would improve
our wifi signal or perhaps allow us to use
the Verizon phone at places as remote as Cedar Breaks
without having to walk or drive over to the visitor’s center.  
So he went over to chat.

Turns out Terry was
a wealth of information about boon docking.
He and his wife don’t have a generator but
have 2 solar panels, one 60 watt and one 100 watt
which power everything they need.

Now mind you they do not use a microwave,
use a propane heater in places like Cedar Breaks
and don’t frequent places which require AC.
But they do cook with their gas stove and a solar
oven.  They have solar rechargeable lights for reading
at night.   And on and on……….

He gave us a lot to ponder and some sources to
look at as well as his email as a contact.
What a great find just as we were leaving.
David was so busy talking to him that he
neglected to get his picture but I did get this one
of his 100 watt panels which are not, as you can see,
attached to his coach.  He says it is easier to make
sure you are getting the best sunlight if they are not.
and not hard to set them up.

Looks like he’s using it for tire covers as well.

One last good bye to Brian Head Peak one
place we did not get to while we were here
Next time ! :-)

all pictures taken from Ruby’s steering wheel going < 35 mph
Why I’m driving her will become apparent in a moment.

 

Notice the orange “extensions” put on so folks can find the
road in the snow.  GOOD GRIEF Winnona would
be buried no matter how Brave she is.

We’re down in Brian Head City now.
Remember the place with no real residents.
This bridge is a ski lane.
Yes you heard me right, Winnona can go under
but never over.  No cars, no people
other than skiers get to go over Rt 143 here.

Pardon the kayak nose and handle.

Can you see the Ski lift up there?

The trip down the mountain on UT 143
from Cedar Breaks to I 15 was gorgeous
except for one little problem.
Make sure you read the sign.

Luckily we had driven down to Brian Head
earlier and saw this.  That’s when I decided I’d
rather drive the 50 miles to where we intended to stop.

And good thing I did or you wouldn’t get to see
this lovely drive as Winnona goes through it.
You don’t mind seeing her rear do you?

Keep an eye on the signs

I didn’t get the sign just before this that said
this is an “open range area”.
But as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words”
Watch out for cows on a curving mountain road
at a 13% grade.   Sheesh!

Made it to Parowan UT at the bottom and still have working brakes!

Bring on the Rockies!  :-))

 

Drove right by Parowan High School
Obviously home of the Rams.
Great Sculpture.
Wonder who did it.  No time to stop and see.

We picked up Interstate 15
which in this area has lovely backdrops
and a zippy speed limit.

We were both definitely obeying this sign.
The skies here are fantastic!

We had intended only to drive about an hour or so
to Beaver Utah and leave the other 165 miles to
Utah Lake for tomorrow.

But when we got to Beaver Canyon Campground in
Beaver, the owner refused to honor our Passport
America number without the card itself.
We had joined after we were on the road and
didn’t have the card yet but had used the number
several places before.

I was none too happy and decided he wasn’t going
to intimidate me into paying full price for a place that
looked like it could “possibly” be worth the $14 for electricity
but not $28.   SO since he didn’t want my $14, he got $0.

My advice, avoid this place and it’s uncooperative owner.

We stopped for gas, hooked Ruby up to Winnona
and drove the rest of the  218 miles to Utah Lake State Park
An unusually long drive for us but most of it was
freeway which was easier than the trip down the
mountain from Brian Head.

Provo certainly has put a lot of crap at the
foot of these beautiful mountains.

 

We pulled into Utah Lake State Park none
the worse for wear and tear and chose
site 25 where we’ll stay for about a week so
David can get a root canal. 
Sounds like fun doesn’t it?

But here we are  on the edge of the wetlands of the lake
with the Earth flag flying!

How about the view from the picnic table?
IF we get to use it, see below.

$20 a night for water and electric.
Easy to access dump station.
Great lake and wetlands.
Biking and running trails.
What’s not to like??

Here’s the only problem we’ve found
and it’s a BIG one with lots of friends.