☆ Red Rocks and Butterscotch (LINK)

In lieu of my own creative spin on our adventures, please check out Liz's well worded(and pictured) posting of our trip to Dixie NF, Zion and Bryce NP. The trip with Sara and Colin had alot of great times and memories made. Glad they were able to join the gnome for a week of fun in the desert.

CLICK for Link

A Grand Experience

When we last left off, the gnome was en-route to a site in Sanford Texas. The campground upon arrival sat atop a bluff overlooking Lake Meredith in Sanford Texas. The site were spacious and fresh water provided upon entry. Additionally, the bathrooms were immaculate and had free showers! But the view though. 

The gnome sat dormant another night while Liz and I made camp in the tent. As the evening drew near, a storm was seen rolling in to the north. Lightning silently flashed the sky in the far distance. We tucked in for the night around 10. The radar said there was an 8% chance of precip and yet the rain drops coming in through the open top tent made us rap the rain fly for the night. 

We did not know what was in store. 

Around 1:30AM the wind started and didn't stop. Strong gusts pushed in the roof of the tent and rain pelted the fly above our bodies. Lightning was upon us and would light the tent with a crashing boom instantly. The storm had shifted and was right overhead. For safety sake, we pack the dog, tent and some pillows in the Subaru and got "comfy" for the night. Sleep finally came but was irked away with the rise of the sun on the vista. With eyes somewhat open, we gathered whatever belongings we had, got organized and headed out. Aside from the freak storm, this was a beautiful, well kept site with nearby lake like amenities and would visit again if in the area.

On our way out of Texas, we stumbled upon Cadillac Ranch outside of Amarillo Texas. We couldnt help but stop and take pictures of cars that had been stacked in 1974 by Chip Lord, Hudson Marquez and Doug Michels who were part of the art group Ant Farm. The car shells have gained fame for their unique appearance that changes with each visitors spray of the can. Just remember to clean up the cans when done.

For the night, we made camp in El Malpais (Badlands) National Park at the Joe Skeens Campground. This site had about 2 dozen areas to camp which includes newly built pavilions and clean drop toilets. The location is fairly off the beaten path which made it a quiet night with very few neighbors. The local views and opportunities for exploration in rock crevices, caves and lava flow fields made this an ideal camp for the night. While in the desert, we couldn't resist buying sparklers at the local fireworks shop and doing some long exposure images.

On our way out of town, we checked out the nearby vista which was fun to climb around on. Our drive through the desert continued with a stop through the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest NP. Petrified Forest National Park is known for its fossils, especially of fallen trees that lived in the Late Triassic period of the Mesozoic era, about 225 million years ago. During this period, the region that is now the park was near the equator on the southwestern edge of the supercontinent Pangaea, and its climate was humid and sub-tropical. What later became northeastern Arizona was a low plain flanked by mountains to the south and southeast and a sea to the west. Streams flowing across the plain from the highlands deposited inorganic sediment and organic matter, including trees as well as other plants and animals that had entered or fallen into the water. Although most organic matter decays rapidly or is eaten by other organisms, some is buried so quickly that it remains intact and may become fossilized. Within the park, the sediments containing the fossil logs for which the park is named are part of the Chinle Formation

Off to Flagstaff we flew. The gnome set up camp at a free site off a dirt road north of town. We were met with a dozen other free campers who used the space to spend a night or two. Just driving through the town, we knew it was something special. The quaint local shops and unique spaces almost masked the sad homeless side which was seen on popular street corners and in the parks. Aside from that, the city had a great overall vibe to it. 10 outa 10 would visit again.

The morning after arriving to Flagstaff, we heard a rustle around 6AM. We peek outside the curtain and sure enough, we see Sara and Colin packing up their tent into the rental  car. They anticipated finding camp an hour north at the South rim of the Grand Canyon but were unable to secure a location where ever they went. They instead headed to our camp and spent the night in-tent. They were able to salvage their trip to the Grand Canyon that morning with a quick in and out of the tourist spots while Liz and I stayed around to explore Flagstaff and do laundry at the local coin-op. In the early afternoon, all parties were present in Flagstaff for the final push to Vegas and further to the main attractions; Dixie NF, Zion and Bryce NP.

Driving into Vegas at dusk, we headed to the airport car return to get Sara and Colin situated. The clouds were a beautiful pink and purple swirl ominously billowing above our heads. It may have been a sign of things to come. The rental was returned without issue and all four humans, one dog and a 33 year old camper headed into the Red Rock Canyon Nat Conservation Area to find some BLM land to camp. Little did we know that such a feat would be impossible to accomplish and leave us stranded with no where to stay for the long desert night in the deserted outskirts of Las Vegas.

In it to win it

So with our shake down cruise through Virginia completed, all possible fixes / additions made to the camper, our equipment checked and packed, and plans for the next few weeks at the least, we set off. The camper was near packed from Memorial Day weekend which was spent with good friends at a great camp site near Scranton PA. After saying our goodbyes for a while, we headed back to Harrisburg for one final night before hitting the road for good; or so we thought.

The original plan was to depart on the 31st but apparently Ziggy had other plans. With everything packed, we went to fetch the dog to load him in. He was extremely lethargic and refused to get up or put any weight on his back leg. The timing couldn't have been worse but he is a member of the family and deserves care so we booked a trip to the animal hospital to get everything checked out. $100 later, he is issued some pain pills for a bruised ligament in his leg. Funny how by the time we got home from the vet, he seemed much better. We used the unexpected night at home to revamp some of our plans since now we had one less day to get to Vegas.

The next morning, we are already packed so we just pile into the Subie and hit it. On our way out there, we had arranged to pick up a newly found friend, Jessi, in Camp Hill PA and give her a ride back home to Kentucky. Since we were headed that way anyways, it wasn't much of an issue to offer the ride. The gnome arrived to Camp Hill, acquired its last passenger and gear including four boxes of hand made pottery amongst other things and set off for the first camp site in Ohio. The drive through PA was nothing new since we have been used to the rolling highways loaded with trucks.

As we arrived to our first camp called Hidden Hollow near Bloomingdale OH, we passed multiple gun firing ranges which was a bit off putting. Additionally, this area of the country was currently going through a cicada bloom and thus the noise level of buzzing bugs was deafening and the shells husks littered the grounds as if a mass casualty had occurred. On top of it all, humidity was about 90% and the sweat effortlessly came from all parts of the body leaving a not so fresh feeling. Since the Roamin Gnome is in travel mode to get to Vegas, Liz and I had decided to NOT pop the camper each night to save time and energy with set up/tear down. We planned to use our small 2 person tent but until that moment, had not accounted for Jessi and her sleeping spot. Luckily, she was game to sleep in a hammock under and well supported tarp. That night in the tent was humid and slugs crawled everywhere inside while other bugaboos flapped outside. Jessi had a great setup through which had good airflow and protection from most of the crawlers.

The vehicle was loaded and we waved bye bye to Hidden Hollow campground which we would rate 4/5 stars for cleanliness, accessibility and lot size. Dont drink the water through as the parks no longer test for drink ability and with nearby fracking operations, its hard to tell what might not be safe to drink.

Prior to arriving at Jessi's mothers, we stopped by an effigy in OH called Serpent Mound which was built by early native people for purposes still unknown to researchers. The mound does work with the sun and moon though to give an accurate calendar of sorts. Its also believed that sacred rituals took place upon the hill.

In the early evening, we arrived at our destination exhausted and ready to rest. Food was just about ready which was prepared amazingly by Jessi's mom, Karen. With a clean, dry bed, air conditioning, a hot shower and meal in us, we gladly accepted the hospitality.

Morning came too soon and all things once again were loaded up sans Jessi and her four boxes of pottery; of which we purchased two pieces off her before the general public got to get their grabby hands on the beautiful glazed dishes, bowls and cups.

The gnome headed south through KY and onto TN to meet our next camp in Merriwether Lewis Death and Burial site. I know this doesn't sound amazingly appealing but when we arrived at dusk in a light rain, it was home for the night. The free campsite was nearly empty with a few neighbors scattered nearby. The facilities included very clean FLUSH toilets, well kept water taps, trash at each site (or shared) and numerous pull through spots, earning a 5/5 stars thus far.

The next morning, we quickly packed to get out of the rain that continued to plague our trip thus far. I knew that it was just a short time more in the western direction before rain is no more and we are into tanning land. Tennessee was beautiful but desolate at times with huge highways built to accommodate a population that is yet to exist in the area. I will happily take a multi-lane highway all to myself thank you. At lunch, we stopped in Memphis to appreciate the Bass Pro Shop Pyramid which was listed in Roadside America as the largest in the US. At 25 stories including a massive outfitter store, an observation deck (10$) and even hotel rooms; the place was massive and yet at times, claustrophobic. Knowing that our time in the sun was soon to come, we cashed in some gift cards to purchase hats for ourselves. Hopefully a good purchase for the future.

We took a short detour to the Little Rock AR airport to see my fathers company facility. He travels here frequently so why not drive around and check it out.

Onward into Arkansas from Memphis, we hit our next camp near Toad Suck AR. The camp was installed by the Army Corp of Engineers what looked like a plot and drop notion. The now severely over grown grounds COULD host about a dozen sites but the weeks and tangles prevented most from use. The boat launch nearby was the only thing keeping the locals coming back. A quick machete action and our camp for the night was cleared in this very private camp with ZERO working amenities. Instead of the rainfly for the tent, we opted to use the Kelty tarp, a move we will use more often since it included airflow 100 fold but still gave protection from the elements.

Pack at it again, we load up our AR camp to continue westward to get to the hotel that Liz had booked in Oklahoma City. We didn't stop for much sight seeing on this leg as there wasn't much to see aside from a straight highway with amazing puffy clouds. There were casinos though at about every stop along the way. We didnt play.

Welcome home to Oklahoma City OK. Our currently location where this post is being made and sent. We are lucky to have internet connection since it seems every other thing about this hotel was a lie. This Motel 6 seems to but under new management and thus is going through changes like the truck that is loaded with old beds to be dumped, the elevator that had the smell and then visible puddle of urine in it, the laundry facility and continental breakfast that doesn't exist and more. The sheets were filthy so we used a good old tapestry and our sacks for the night. This place will NOT be missed.

THE FUTURE: It might be some time before another post comes out. We will be on the road and who knows when we might achieve internet. Our upcoming journey in brief includes a stop in Sanford TX tonight followed by a nice desert venue in NM the next. Then its off to Flagstaff before meeting up with Sara and Colin in Vegas. Our vices will not hold as we rush towards Zion, Dixie NF and maybe Bryce Canyon if we have the time. Our boon docking skills will be tested as we try to figure out BLM (Bureau of Land Management) camping which is free but requires registration from the local authorities.

Once done with Zion et al, we anticipate a short drive to San Diego where we have an undetermined camp site but never the less, will have a great time seeing Liz's sister Kathryn.

And post that, who knows. Maybe Colorado calls and we head north before the cold comes back. More WWOOFing on the west coast? One thing is for sure, it's going to be an adventure to never forget.

Thanks for reading.