Sunday, July 3, 2022

2022 Utah National Parks Trip - Day 2

May 28, 2022

Leaving Albuqurque

Left Albuqurque this morning around 7:30 or so after the standard Holiday Inn Express breakfast. 

Miles at Breakfast

Got everything back in the van and Jessica got us going west toward Gallup where we then turned north. 

Jessica Driving from Albuquerque

Snacks in nowhere

Desolate drive through some very poor rural areas. No real commercial areas until we hit Kykotsmovi Village, AZ where there was an actual real looking gas station, except there was zero branding at all. Not even their name above the door. We bought a bunch of snacks there to try to bolster their economy.

Tuba City

We continually saw signs for Tuba City, which, having James in the car meant we had to stop and get some pictures. I found out later that it is actually named after Chief Tuuvi and has nothing to do with the musical instrument. We sent pictures of him to his tuba tutor.

James in Tuba City

North of Tuba City

We were on our way north on highway 89 when I was overcome with how pretty the landscape was and we make our own observation stop. This was our first taste of what the week had in store for us.

North of Tuba City

Amelia in Front of Red Rocks

The Navajo Bridge locatedin the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is a pair of bridges, one historic (1929) and one new (1995). The new bridge is now used for cars and the historic is open for pedestrians. It is one of only seven crossings of the Colorado River for 750 miles. 

James at the Navajo Bridge
Navajo Bridge

Miles at Navajo Bridge

Colorado River at Navajo Bridge

Kaibab National Forest

Leaving the Navajo Bridge you travel up in elevation out of the canyon and make your way north through the Kaibab National Forest. Our plan was to refuel in Fredonia which was the next large town, but as we climbed, our remaining range estimate kept falling. So as not to become stranded in the wilderness, we purchsed two of the finest gallons of gas at the Jacob Lake Inn which did seem like a lovely place. 

Jacob Lake Inn
Jacob Lake Gas


It turned out not really to be necessary as the rest of the trip was all downhill and we really didn't use any more range at all, but I'm still glad we played it safe this time.

Welcome to Utah

Welcome to Utah

Arrival in Washington, Utah

We got to the house and got it unlocked and the car unloaded. It's super nice and besides the internet not working, I knew we were going to have a great time there. We went out to eat at Morty's Cafe which was good but super filling burgers and fries. 

James Contemplating Dinner

The kids were sent downstairs for showers and after twenty minutes one of them finally came up and said that the hot water wasn't working. Not sure why it took twenty minutes for them to report on this. It turns out that the downstairs how water heater is not left operating when there are not vistors using that level, here so the kids will all have to showers in the morning.

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