Gooseneck to Show Low

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

We made several route changes today, starting our day in Gooseneck State Park near Mexican Hat, Utah, very close to the Utah Arizona border. Since we had gone the long way around to avoid driving the Moki Dugway, and being so close to the bottom of it, Wilma wanted to drive up and see if we could see how interesting the drive would be. We did drive up there after breaking camp this morning, but didn’t really get to see much. The Moki dugway is a series of tight switch backs hugging the cliff, with about 1100 foot drop in three miles. The rest of the road is paved, but that section is dirt, and not recommended for anything with a trailer, or RVs. We could only see the first couple of switchbacks. But we were glad we had taken the long way around!

Next up we drove through Monument Valley (think old western movies.)  So much of southern Utah is just gorgeous! Wilma didn’t make the right choice there, and we did not go out to see the VC and probably the most interesting monuments, but that can happen on another trip.

We had planned to go on over to Page and the Lake Powell area, but instead decided to head down to Canyon de Chelley and the Hubbell Trading Post. They are on the eastern side of Arizona, north of Interstate 40. Then we were heading back to Page. We did get to Canyon de Chelley (pronounced Shay), got our stamps and enjoyed part of the drive through the park. We did not go clear out to the end. After leaving Monument Valley the landscape looked like high desert, with not a lot to see except sage brush type plants. Then when you get to Canyon de Chelley you realize how much there could have been hiding all along the way. All of a sudden we were on the edge of a canyon with a small river running through it, and several ancient ruins that we could see from view points.

 

                  One of the interesting things about being in Navajo country is the selling the locals do at all the viewpoints. Anywhere you stop there are several vehicles displaying jewelry, rock paintings, woven rugs, etc. They can be aggressive with their selling tactics, but have some very nice products.

After Canyon de Chelley we stopped for lunch, then headed south for the Hubbell Trading Post. We stopped at the VC and got our stamps and looked around at the displays. There was a woman sitting on the floor demonstrating some rug weaving. It was beautiful work. Then when we went to the store, there were many rugs for sale, among other things that were hand made. We saw small rugs (about 2 ft square) for $295.00, and Barney found a larger one that was priced $1600.00.  Sorry, we don’t have any stashed away for Christmas presents!  They are beautifully made, and would take many many hours to do, but just a little beyond our budget. As we entered the store, we had to laugh. No one could sneak into the store, and they certainly don’t need a bell on the door to announce arrivals. I don’t know how old the place is, but ancient according to the uneven wooden floors. Every step you took was a very loud squeak/squawk.

Then we decided not to go back over to Page. It was about 4 pm and Page was 200 miles, with no marked camping places along the way. So we headed south toward Phoenix, stopping in Show Low for the night. The Show Low WalMart does not allow overnight parking, but there is a very rough dirt lot just next to it where we had stayed last fall, and we again pulled in there. We did see one 5th wheel parked in the WalMart lot, and they were still there in the morning, so I guess no one gave them any trouble.

Before leaving home we had thought we could be in the Flagstaff area in about two weeks, but we have had a lot of route changes. We are still thinking of doing the Flagstaff route when we leave Phoenix. We shall see. We have been on the road for a week now, and have yet to be somewhere with electrical hookups. But we are charging our electronics off the inverters as we travel, and having a great time. Just don’t always have a signal to post at the right time!