OMG….the sun is shining again!! I even got to sit outside and enjoy my first cup of coffee!! Woo Hoo…..life is good.
Kay and I headed into town to restock the fridge (and the beer cooler) and to do some laundry. We got back to the camper in time for the Grey Cup festivities on TV.
We all sat around in our Rider T-shirts and prepared to cheer on the home team.
The game started off with a bang and the Riders were obviously hungry for the coveted cup. We were in the lead and stayed there until the end of the game. Woo Hoo….Finally after many frustrating years, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are the 2013 Grey Cup Champions!! Go Riders Go!!
It was an awesome game and no one deserves the win more than the always faithful and often critical Rider fans.
We continued our version of a Grey Cup party sitting around the campfire in a can in the trailer until supper was ready.
It has been a good day!! Tomorrow, we are off for yet another adventure…..
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Saturday, November 23/2013
It was so nice to wake up to sunshine this morning. Perhaps we have finally outrun the rain!! We found a parking spot in the desert just outside of Parker and for the first time in a very long time, we were able to get the lawn chairs out and actually sit outside with out freezing our asses off.
The Arizona sunshine has finally welcomed us!!
John got the quads unloaded and had the campfire in a can set up in no time. Once the sun went down, the chill was in the air and we moved into the little trailer where we sat around the "fire" until supper was ready. God….it is so good to feel the warmth again!!
Tomorrow, Kay and I will head into Parker to do some shopping and then it will be time to sit and watch the Grey Cup!! Go Riders Go!!
The Arizona sunshine has finally welcomed us!!
John got the quads unloaded and had the campfire in a can set up in no time. Once the sun went down, the chill was in the air and we moved into the little trailer where we sat around the "fire" until supper was ready. God….it is so good to feel the warmth again!!
Tomorrow, Kay and I will head into Parker to do some shopping and then it will be time to sit and watch the Grey Cup!! Go Riders Go!!
Friday, November 22/2013
We awoke to rain and cold today and since neither Kay nor I have any intentions of riding quads in this kind of weather, we packed up and headed further south. Surely we will be getting out of this ugly rain system soon. I want some warm weather!!
It was a long day for travelling today and we were in and out of rain all day.
We stopped for the night at Vidal Junction which actually sits just inside the California border. It has finally stopped raining!! Woo Hoo!! Time for a few beverages as we will be in Parker Arizona tomorrow to start a week of camping in the Arizona desert. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 70s next week so everyone is sooo looking forward to that!!
It was a long day for travelling today and we were in and out of rain all day.
We stopped for the night at Vidal Junction which actually sits just inside the California border. It has finally stopped raining!! Woo Hoo!! Time for a few beverages as we will be in Parker Arizona tomorrow to start a week of camping in the Arizona desert. The temperatures are supposed to be in the 70s next week so everyone is sooo looking forward to that!!
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| Hit a little snow on the way |
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| Old school camper |
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| These two got tangled somehow |
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| Coming into Parker |
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| Heading out to our camping spot |
Thursday, November 21/2013
We are back on the road again today heading to some trails around St. George, Utah. John has been busy checking out the maps and has a few trails in mind.
Since our friends Keith and Charlotte are no longer in St. George, we did not have to track them down for a quick visit. Instead, we headed out into the back country to find the trails.
The weather has remained shitty with cold and wind and threatening snowfall. It will be below zero again tonight!!
The forecast is not looking good and I have no intentions of climbing onto the quad and doing a trail in the rain and cold. Hogan is NOT impressed with the weather either!!
Perhaps we have taken this little side trip for nothing…..
The scenery was beautiful as only Utah can provide but this cold, windy, damp day is putting a real screw into the plans.
Since our friends Keith and Charlotte are no longer in St. George, we did not have to track them down for a quick visit. Instead, we headed out into the back country to find the trails.
The weather has remained shitty with cold and wind and threatening snowfall. It will be below zero again tonight!!
The forecast is not looking good and I have no intentions of climbing onto the quad and doing a trail in the rain and cold. Hogan is NOT impressed with the weather either!!
Perhaps we have taken this little side trip for nothing…..
The scenery was beautiful as only Utah can provide but this cold, windy, damp day is putting a real screw into the plans.
Wednesday, November 20/2013
Wow, it looks even nastier out today. There is a bit of rain falling and we are supposed to be taking a trip to Puffer Lake today. Actually, we are hoping to do the scenic byway to highway 89 then another road back to Beaver.
We are taking Kay's truck today so that is 100% better than yesterday. I don't even want to look at the damn quad today!!
As we started up the road, the first thing we see is a Road Closed to Junction sign. Shit, Oh Dear….already the gong show is starting!!
Kay wanted to show us Puffer Lake and that was before the town of Junction so perhaps the road was good till there.
Once again, we started the ascent and as we gained altitude the road became more snowy. I had enough snow yesterday, in case anyone is listening!!
Just before we arrived at the ski resort (oh shit, we are high up) we were stopped by a road crew who was trying to clear the road of a few massive boulders (bigger than a pickup truck) that had rolled down the mountain and smashed through the guard rail leaving a few "big" ones on the road.
We eventually got past all that and made our way up to Puffer Lake. The road was snow covered but this was as far as we could go. The road was closed beyond this point and I certainly breathed a sigh on relief!! We were at an elevation on 10,000 feet but with 13% grades, it didn't take us long to get back to the lower elevations and wet pavement.
We stopped in Beaver for lunch then proceeded down the Interstate where we accessed another loop of roads that took us through Brian Head, Utah. Another ski area. Here, we crested the snowy summit on 10,400 feet and were in a blizzard. Jesus, I thought we left this shit behind in Saskatchewan!!
We travelled this backroad, which eventually spit us out onto the Interstate where we quickly headed back to the truck and camper.
Tomorrow, we are back on the road again and I am certainly glad about that!!
We are taking Kay's truck today so that is 100% better than yesterday. I don't even want to look at the damn quad today!!
As we started up the road, the first thing we see is a Road Closed to Junction sign. Shit, Oh Dear….already the gong show is starting!!
Kay wanted to show us Puffer Lake and that was before the town of Junction so perhaps the road was good till there.
Once again, we started the ascent and as we gained altitude the road became more snowy. I had enough snow yesterday, in case anyone is listening!!
Just before we arrived at the ski resort (oh shit, we are high up) we were stopped by a road crew who was trying to clear the road of a few massive boulders (bigger than a pickup truck) that had rolled down the mountain and smashed through the guard rail leaving a few "big" ones on the road.
We eventually got past all that and made our way up to Puffer Lake. The road was snow covered but this was as far as we could go. The road was closed beyond this point and I certainly breathed a sigh on relief!! We were at an elevation on 10,000 feet but with 13% grades, it didn't take us long to get back to the lower elevations and wet pavement.
We stopped in Beaver for lunch then proceeded down the Interstate where we accessed another loop of roads that took us through Brian Head, Utah. Another ski area. Here, we crested the snowy summit on 10,400 feet and were in a blizzard. Jesus, I thought we left this shit behind in Saskatchewan!!
We travelled this backroad, which eventually spit us out onto the Interstate where we quickly headed back to the truck and camper.
Tomorrow, we are back on the road again and I am certainly glad about that!!
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| Some big rocks had fallen on the road |
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| Puffer Lake |
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| They were still clearing the road on the way down |
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| John and Kay |
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| Marie and Kay |
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| Almost home |
Tuesday, November 19/2013
It is overcast this morning and not looking like the sun is going to shine anytime soon. The quads were packed and thank heavens we always pack cold weather gear because it looks as if we are going to need it.
We accessed one of the Paiute ATV side trails from the North side of town and followed the signs. This trail lead us through meadows, valleys, juniper scrub, evergreens, alpine aspen forest, mountain summits and will hook us up to another trail that will also do the same and eventually lead us back into the South end of the town. It is about 60 miles long so we were on the trail by 11:30. This would allow us plenty of time to do the trail and get back before dark. Well……that was the plan!!
As we started to climb up into the higher altitudes, the graded trail gave way to rutted mud, then large gravel and rocks. The trail itself was pretty awesome despite the horrendous amount of garbage that has been left along the trail by users who obviously do not care about the beauty of nature. Instead, they leave the trail strewn with old pop and beer cans and what ever other garbage they don't want to pack home. Man, "Pack it in/Pack it out" signs need to be posted along this trail.
We were soon encountering bits of snow here and there along the trail and since we were still climbing, I assumed we would be in a bit more!! Man…a "bit" more would certainly be an understatement.
As we climbed, the beauty of the area was certainly not lost on me although I couldn't help thinking how beautiful this place must look with all the Fall colours in their glory.
The leaves were all off the aspen and the oak trees now but the trail was covered in a carpet of them.
This particular trail is closed to ATVs over 50 inches wide and as we travelled the tight winding trail through huge growth evergreens and aspen (some of their trucks were enormous), there was often just enough room for the quad to make it between the trees. There were a few bridges and a few gates that were designed for only 50 inches as well.
We travelled through as much as two feet of snow at times and I must say, that John was glad he hadn't yet changed his tires. He still had his mud tires on from the Leoville trails. He cleared the path for Kay and I (we were riding my two up CanAm) and even then, we struggled for footholds.
We did managed to stop and smell the roses a few times along the trail, took a few pictures of a babbling little creek and even had the pleasure of seeing a couple of rolling snowballs!! Those are the ones that start on a hill and eventually gain speed and snow and become like little snow wheels. There was a video on Facebook last year about them and they are so neat to watch. I would have stopped for a picture of those but feared if I had, we would have sunk into the snow on the trail and not been able to get started again!! Yes, the snow was that deep!! The only good thing about this was that it was not cold out and we still had plenty of day light.
We road on snowy trails for most of the afternoon especially when we were in the upper elevations and this allowed us to see many animal tracks. It was so cool to see them. As far as actual animals, we saw a squirrel and several mule deer. The deer were anything but afraid. I think they wondered what the hell we were doing up there and by that time, I was getting tired and starting to wonder myself!!
Kay and I took turns driving and I must say, she handed the driving tasks to me at the right time as we were once again starting to climb and the snow was even deeper!! It was us to our knees in places. Ask me how I know that……Because someone had to get off and winch because we were unable to climb some of the inclines because of the damn snow!! Kay and I took turns hauling on the winch cable!! Several times, we asked each other if the trail was almost over!! Holy Buckets, I though I left the snow in Saskatchewan!!
We finally, after battling snow, shelf trails, fallen trees, obscure trail, babbling brooks that wanted to get our feet wet, we hit the final leg of the trip. The end of the trail was only 20 miles away!!!
Since we were still in a shit pile of snow, I continued driving and at one point hit a ridge and the quad launched both Kay and I off into the snow bank!! Well, Shit, Oh Dear…..we were both laughing and I think I peed in my pants a little!! Neither one of us were hurt (I jammed my left wrist a bit but nothing major) so we managed to get the quad back on all four tires, wipe the snow off our asses (they were now wet) and get back on the machine and try to catch up to John, He was not around to witness our little faux paus!! We did however, take a picture of the scene of the crime!!
Eventually we descended in elevation and the trail became much easier to manage. Man, I hope I never see that trail again - especially in November. Who in their right mind does a mountain trail in November?? John and his stupid ideas!!
As we descended, we were faced with yet another issue. There were trees down across the trail and by trees, I mean big trees. We had to winch around one which had a nasty downhill slope so, just to be safe, had the quad hooked by its winch cable so that it didn't go rolling down the hill for a hundred miles. With both quads safely around that tree, we continued on only to be faced with three more down trees. These ones had to be winched over so we had to prop other fallen logs up as a ramp so that the winch would be able to lift the quads over. Man…..are we at the end of the trail yet cause I am getting mighty tired.
Yes, I saw the cute little creek that was flowing beside us but by this time I was thinking about drowning John in it!! And those cute little mule deer…..give me a gun……I may have to be out here in the middle of effin nowhere for the night and may need to eat!! It is now dark ……..
Eventually, and I do say eventually, we did reach the end of the trail and entered Beaver and found our way safely back to the truck and camper where once again I had the greatest urge to hurt John.
We travelled 75 miles today and I feel every one of those miles. Kay and I were both dragging our asses. Shit, Oh Dear……John is dead to me!!
We all took showers, had a few beer, ate a gourmet meal of hotdogs and KD, took some tylenol, and went to bed. Perhaps I will feel better tomorrow…..or not!!! Oh God, just kill me now!!
We accessed one of the Paiute ATV side trails from the North side of town and followed the signs. This trail lead us through meadows, valleys, juniper scrub, evergreens, alpine aspen forest, mountain summits and will hook us up to another trail that will also do the same and eventually lead us back into the South end of the town. It is about 60 miles long so we were on the trail by 11:30. This would allow us plenty of time to do the trail and get back before dark. Well……that was the plan!!
As we started to climb up into the higher altitudes, the graded trail gave way to rutted mud, then large gravel and rocks. The trail itself was pretty awesome despite the horrendous amount of garbage that has been left along the trail by users who obviously do not care about the beauty of nature. Instead, they leave the trail strewn with old pop and beer cans and what ever other garbage they don't want to pack home. Man, "Pack it in/Pack it out" signs need to be posted along this trail.
We were soon encountering bits of snow here and there along the trail and since we were still climbing, I assumed we would be in a bit more!! Man…a "bit" more would certainly be an understatement.
As we climbed, the beauty of the area was certainly not lost on me although I couldn't help thinking how beautiful this place must look with all the Fall colours in their glory.
The leaves were all off the aspen and the oak trees now but the trail was covered in a carpet of them.
This particular trail is closed to ATVs over 50 inches wide and as we travelled the tight winding trail through huge growth evergreens and aspen (some of their trucks were enormous), there was often just enough room for the quad to make it between the trees. There were a few bridges and a few gates that were designed for only 50 inches as well.
We travelled through as much as two feet of snow at times and I must say, that John was glad he hadn't yet changed his tires. He still had his mud tires on from the Leoville trails. He cleared the path for Kay and I (we were riding my two up CanAm) and even then, we struggled for footholds.
We did managed to stop and smell the roses a few times along the trail, took a few pictures of a babbling little creek and even had the pleasure of seeing a couple of rolling snowballs!! Those are the ones that start on a hill and eventually gain speed and snow and become like little snow wheels. There was a video on Facebook last year about them and they are so neat to watch. I would have stopped for a picture of those but feared if I had, we would have sunk into the snow on the trail and not been able to get started again!! Yes, the snow was that deep!! The only good thing about this was that it was not cold out and we still had plenty of day light.
We road on snowy trails for most of the afternoon especially when we were in the upper elevations and this allowed us to see many animal tracks. It was so cool to see them. As far as actual animals, we saw a squirrel and several mule deer. The deer were anything but afraid. I think they wondered what the hell we were doing up there and by that time, I was getting tired and starting to wonder myself!!
Kay and I took turns driving and I must say, she handed the driving tasks to me at the right time as we were once again starting to climb and the snow was even deeper!! It was us to our knees in places. Ask me how I know that……Because someone had to get off and winch because we were unable to climb some of the inclines because of the damn snow!! Kay and I took turns hauling on the winch cable!! Several times, we asked each other if the trail was almost over!! Holy Buckets, I though I left the snow in Saskatchewan!!
We finally, after battling snow, shelf trails, fallen trees, obscure trail, babbling brooks that wanted to get our feet wet, we hit the final leg of the trip. The end of the trail was only 20 miles away!!!
Since we were still in a shit pile of snow, I continued driving and at one point hit a ridge and the quad launched both Kay and I off into the snow bank!! Well, Shit, Oh Dear…..we were both laughing and I think I peed in my pants a little!! Neither one of us were hurt (I jammed my left wrist a bit but nothing major) so we managed to get the quad back on all four tires, wipe the snow off our asses (they were now wet) and get back on the machine and try to catch up to John, He was not around to witness our little faux paus!! We did however, take a picture of the scene of the crime!!
Eventually we descended in elevation and the trail became much easier to manage. Man, I hope I never see that trail again - especially in November. Who in their right mind does a mountain trail in November?? John and his stupid ideas!!
As we descended, we were faced with yet another issue. There were trees down across the trail and by trees, I mean big trees. We had to winch around one which had a nasty downhill slope so, just to be safe, had the quad hooked by its winch cable so that it didn't go rolling down the hill for a hundred miles. With both quads safely around that tree, we continued on only to be faced with three more down trees. These ones had to be winched over so we had to prop other fallen logs up as a ramp so that the winch would be able to lift the quads over. Man…..are we at the end of the trail yet cause I am getting mighty tired.
Yes, I saw the cute little creek that was flowing beside us but by this time I was thinking about drowning John in it!! And those cute little mule deer…..give me a gun……I may have to be out here in the middle of effin nowhere for the night and may need to eat!! It is now dark ……..
Eventually, and I do say eventually, we did reach the end of the trail and entered Beaver and found our way safely back to the truck and camper where once again I had the greatest urge to hurt John.
We travelled 75 miles today and I feel every one of those miles. Kay and I were both dragging our asses. Shit, Oh Dear……John is dead to me!!
We all took showers, had a few beer, ate a gourmet meal of hotdogs and KD, took some tylenol, and went to bed. Perhaps I will feel better tomorrow…..or not!!! Oh God, just kill me now!!
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