Canyonlands National Park

I didn't get any other pictures from Canyonlands because the wind was too much for me.  I only did a drive-thru.  I need to go back one day soon.

I did stop at the visitor center and overheard a couple on a motorcycle talking to the park rangers about his gas situation - he didn't have any.  The nearest gas station is 27 miles away.  They were telling them that it is against regulations for park personnel to use official vehicles to transport anyone outside of the park, but it was downhill almost all the way so they thought it would be okay.  The voice in my head didn't scream, "There's something wrong. Run!"  The voice said "Help them."  I asked which way they were going.  

"Back to Moab."

"I'm heading the same way.  I'll follow you and if you run out, we'll figure out a way to get you some gas."

He cut the engine and coasted as often as he could.  We made it just in time.  I topped off before I headed to the park and was still sitting on almost a full tank but I needed ice so I pulled in behind him.  He gave me a big hug and kept thanking me. 

"You are so nice.  You don't even know me."  

I was heading that direction anyway.  I didn't think it was a big deal.  There is no cell phone signal on that road so they would have had no way to call for help if they didn't make it.  I would not have been able to sleep.     

Arches National Park

That's me hiding behind the sign.  There are no restaurants and no grocery stores in the park, so take your lunch.  Stop at the visitor center to fill your water bottles, because there isn't any more available except at the campground.  A drive thru will take about 2 hours.  If you plan to do any hiking in the summer, it is a good idea to go early.  It is hot and there is little shade.

Trails at Arches National Park are marked with small rock piles, called cairns.  I started with the 1-mile Park Avenue trail.  You can either have someone drive to the end of the trail and pick you up or turn around and hike back, making it two miles round trip.  I remembered to take water, but forgot my asthma inhaler.  I made it, but was huffing and puffing loudly.  There was a tour group of 40 coming down the stairs when I finally got to the end, so I had a seat and waited for them.  One man asked how long would I like them to take.  I responded, "Walk as slow as you like.  I need a rest."  You would not have thought I was in good enough shape to have completed a half marathon a few days before by the way I was struggling to breathe.  Maybe I should get an extra inhaler to stash in my backpack so I can't forget it.  

            

If you click to enlarge the above photo you should be able to get a look at the rock cairns. 

I got my first Earth Caches at Arches.  The Windows Section (above) is one of them.  There are no physical caches to find, but there are virtual caches that direct you to interesting geological formations.  To mark it as found, you have to answer questions about the area.  For this one, there is a choice of 7 questions.  I chose:  "Where did the salt in the Paradox evaporite beds come from?"  I'm not giving the answer.  Do your own homework.  If you'd like to see the complete cache description and questions, click here.  

While I was hiking the trail around the Windows section, a huge gust of wind blew the hat off the head of an older woman near me.  It flew down into a crevice where she couldn't easily descend.  A Frenchman nearby climbed down to retrieve it for her.  See, they are not all annoying loudmouths.  That group at the campground did not represent their country well. 

Sabine National Wildlife Refuge

So...shortly after I put up my "Jesus Take the Wheel" post, guess who I finally heard from?  None other than my Wyoming Crush.  We've been talking a lot more and I thought I was going to visit him but he had to work (sob), so I headed east instead.  I wanted to see the Sabine National Wildlife Refuge before the oil destroys it.  It's so sad to think of all the birds covered in that filth...

Of course I did some geocaching, too.  I was searching for one not far from this sign (yep, that's me behind the hair and dark glasses) and stumbled into:

    

...turned around, almost gave up, but read previous logs and discovered the cache was a safe distance from sharp teeth.  Good thing, because two of his buddies were swimming up for a closer look at me.

I was not able to talk to Wyoming because I was in and out of cell service and was not available when he called.  He has been working in an area also out of cell range.  I thought I was going to see him this weekend and was planning to drive north today (sniffle), but he has to work again.  I've been to Wyoming.  I know that as soon as you leave town, you have no signal.  He did not get mad at me when I couldn't visit him because of school.  In this economy I cannot begrudge him the chance to earn some money.  My mind knows this, but cannot convince my heart not to be disappointed.

Our relationship consists of text messages, emails, and phone calls.  I am trying to not get too attached to someone I've only spent one day with in the real world.  I'm not sure I'm succeeding.  

Day 6: Moab

My tires were still worrying me, so I took my car to the Discount Tire and got them checked.  The Wal-Mart lady was WRONG!  My tires were NOT ok.  There were metal threads hanging out of one of them.  I bought four new tires in Provo and then drove to Moab.

I set up camp at the Slickrock Campground for 23 dollars a night.  It wasn't the prettiest spot, but the national parks' campgrounds were full and I only intended to use it as a place to sleep and shower.  A problem with car camping can be the noisy neighbors.  At 2:30 the first night, they were up partying, drinking, and keeping everyone awake.  One of them was playing the guitar and singing off key.  Then they turned on their radio!  Someone called the police.  The cops told the guys if they had to come back, someone was going to jail.  The noise died and I finally got a little sleep.  The next night, they turned on the radio again.  A woman went over and asked them to turn it down.  A few minutes later they were arguing loudly in French, but they turned off the radio.  The last night, they were gone.     

Next time I will camp in a national forest and pay $3 -$5 for a shower at the commercial facilities instead. There are plenty of them in the area.

Day 3: Provo

June 11

The skies were a little threatening, but they didn't drop much rain on me.  I drove through beautiful Utah and pulled over to take a couple of pictures.  I can't wait to head back south towards Arches National Park when I've got a little more time to enjoy.  They picked a gorgeous spot for a rest area.  Who wouldn't like to picnic here?

 

I arrived in Provo to pick up my race packet with 4 hours to spare.  I didn't have reservations, which probably isn't very smart when there's a marathon.  I asked at the La Quinta and she said they were booked, but she heard the Sleep Inn across the street still had rooms.  I checked, but they only had the jacuzzi suite available.  I will be forced to recuperate in a hot tub with jets of water pummeling my aching muscles.  I know you feel sorry for me.    

Day 2: Bloomfield

Texas Panhandle

I went to Wal-Mart and the lady told me she'd sell me tires if I was determined to buy them, but I didn't really need them yet.  I guess there was just a whole lot of water on the road.  I think it was the same storm that killed the campers in Arkansas.  (Shudder.)  I asked if I should rotate them and she said I had my best two tires on the back, which is where I want them.  I think I need to go somewhere to get them balanced, though, because I'm getting a lot of steering wheel vibration at highway speeds.  It's not the alignment, because I took my hands off the wheel and the car kept going straight.

I had nothing but beautiful blue skies for my second day of driving.  I have a deadline to reach my destination, so I only have photos taken from rest areas along the highway.  The one in the Texas Panhandle, outside of Amarillo, was beautiful.  It was like a miniature museum with historical exhibits, airconditiong, plenty of seating, and free wi-fi.  There is a tornado shelter here somewhere.  Outside are covered picnic tables, BBQ pits, a playground, and signs warning to watch for rattlesnakes.  They normally warn of their presence, but don't reach under any rocks or stick your hands in any holes, just in case...

The rest area in New Mexico wasn't as nice, but serviceable.  They did have a historical marker (why do people insist upon adding grafiti?), and I spotted a ladybug enjoying the facilities, as well.

In the middle of the afternoon, I heard a noise like a balloon expanding and then exploding and immediately thought of my tires.  It made my heart skip a beat, but it was just a bag of Tostitos I had on the back seat.  Apparently, it got really hot back there.

I made a stop at a casino along the way and played a little Texas Hold 'Em. I'm starting to get some respect at the tables. People are surprised I've only been playing a few months. They suspect I'm being coy when I say, "I'm learning."


After dark, I stopped for gas in the middle of nowhere and a woman approached me in the parking lot, asking for a ride.  What's up with all the people doing this lately?  Do I look like a taxi????  She said her boyfriend took off and left here there.  "Can I help you call someone to come get you?"  She said she only knew of one person and she didn't want to wake her.  My friend would be pissed if I was stranded somewhere and didn't call her.  My friends would come get me and then hunt down the boyfriend and beat his ass.  I did not give her a ride, but I made sure the guys working at the station knew she was there and they said they'd take care of her.  She had been in there earlier trying to buy alcohol, but they wouldn't sell to her because they suspected she was already intoxicated.      

I drove until almost midnight and stopped in Bloomfield, New Mexico at another Best Western.

P.S.  I have safely reached my destination for the race (not NM).  I'll post more after I leave.

Road Trip

Quanah Parker (the last comanche chief), originally uploaded by vrot01.

Image from Flickr.  Click on the photo for original post and info about Chief Quanah Parker.

I'm headed north for my next race. I'm not posting where I'm going or exactly where I am, only where I've been. I'll probably be on the road for the next two weeks.



I wasn't able to leave until late yesterday because I had to wait on a prescription refill. I can't be running/walking marathons or backpacking in the mountains without my asthma meds. I drove until midnight and ended up in Quanah (named after Chief Quanah Parker), Texas. I rolled up to the Best Western without a reservation and asked for their best rate. She upgraded me to a suite for no extra charge. I didn't ask why, I just said, "Thank you."



It rained quite a bit last night and my car started to hydroplane. I didn't realize the tread on my tires was getting so low. I think I'll find a place to buy some tires soon. I certainly don't want to be driving cross country on bald tires next month. Should I go to Wal-Mart or Discount Tire? It'll probably be whichever I find first.

My Alligator Story

Can you see the alligator waiting for lunch to ride by?

Here's a closer view:

Gator number two was closer and harder to see:

Saw some birds, too:

This one is the reason you stay on the road.  That clump of mud has teeth. 

Couldn't find him?  Try now.  Click to enlarge if you still can't see him.

Of all the stories I tell about my road trip, people remember the alligator the most.  When Poker Guy introduced me to his girlfriend he said, "I told her your alligator story."

I was on a 15 mile bike trail in Everglades National Park and I saw an alligator on the side of the road.  It was more than 10 miles back the way I came so I put my bike between me and the alligator, walked as close to the edge as I could, and hoped he would get a mouthful of tire if he decided to bite.  After about a mile I saw another one and had to do it again.

I started a series of articles about the trip on HubPages, but have only done the first 5 days so far.  I intend to add more.  I should have taken better notes so it would be easier.  I'll do better next time.  If anyone is interested, you can read more here.