Category Archives: Recreation

Escalante River Trail

This hike was very convenient when I had mechanical problems with the truck. The trailhead is only 1.5 miles from the RV so I just added a few miles of road walking to the actual hike.

I was warned beforehand to wear (or at least take) water shoes since the trail crossed back and forth over the Escalante river numerous times. Turns out it was a very dry winter in UT with very little snowpack to melt so getting my feet wet was not an issue. The low river level was actually kind of helpful. In these parts they don’t do a real good job of marking trails. Back east, if I saw a tree trunk down across a path, it would mean I needed to turn left, right or back the way I came. Around here it just means that’s where the tree fell. With the low river level, my most reliable indicator of the trail was frequently the stone bridges built by other hikers to cross the river. And of course, looking at the boulders strewn through the river, my inner kayaker came out and thought it would be a great river to paddle at higher water levels.

The goal for today’s hike was about 3 miles in, some petroglyphs on a rock wall. Fortunately, when I arrived there were was a couple there who agreed to take my pic standing next to the petroglyphs. As an added bonus, they were in a giant, natural amphitheater. And just walking along the river I had to wonder why there were no rock climbers here. It looked like a paradise for them.

Enjoy the pics!

Lower Calf Creek Falls

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My primary reason for coming to UT for a month was to see more of the countryside. I was able to complete a very nice hike this morning to Lower Calf Creek Falls, between Escalante and Boulder UT.

The owner of the place I’m working suggested that I download an app called All Trails. This made my life so much easier finding local trails to hike. It also mentioned that this was a very popular hike and could get crowded at times so I planned on a very early start. I arrived at the trailhead about 7:30 and found plenty of parking spots open. There’s also a small campground, mostly suitable for tenters, vans or small Class C motorhomes.

If you’re just hiking here, there’s a day use fee of $5, envelopes at the kiosk. I filled out the envelope, paid my money and hit the trail. I’m still getting acclimated to the elevation so there was some heavy breathing involved due to exertion. Take away the altitude and there might still deep breaths just from looking at the landscape.

I didn’t time this hike, and there’s no cell service so I couldn’t use my fitness app but it probably took about 90 minutes to get to the falls. There were a few stops just for photo opps, numerous ups and downs on the trail and lots of deep sand to walk through but it was worth it. The temp at the falls dropped considerably.

By the time I got back to the parking lot, it was full and cars were parked on the side of the road. Seems like I timed this one very well.

Those sandy parts of the trail? A lot of that sand wound up inside my socks. I found that out when taking off shoes and socks after getting back to the RV. If you find yourself in this part of Utah, I would highly recommend this hike.

Moderate or strenuous?

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There are many hiking trails to choose from in the Black Hills of South Dakota, several of which are very close to my new campground. Recently, I got to complete the Hell Canyon trail (5.25 mile loop trail), about 13 miles west of Custer SD.

I specifically used the word ‘complete’ because I’d been on that trail twice before without completing it. The first time was with Jean and we turned around early in the hike. The second time I went by myself, missed a trail sign and wandered aimlessly for a couple of hours, although I did get some very good pix.

So, third time’s the charm, as they say. I got to the trailhead fairly early although it wasn’t forecast to get very hot that day. From the trailhead, you have 2 options. Start to the left and you’re faced with a steep 1/2 mile switchback trail to begin. Start to the right and you have 5 creek crossings before you start going uphill and finish downhill on that switchback.

The scenery was different than most of my hikes. Lots of rocks and cliff faces, open ground with only a few trees. At one point I saw a rock climber coming down a cliff face. At the bottom of the cliff face was a low cave opening. When it gets hotter here I may revisit that cave just for the cooler temps.

So, back to the title question. Moderate or strenuous? Most of these trails have descriptions in local brochures or at the trailhead that describe the level of difficulty. At this stage of my life, I have to admit that a trail that would have been moderate, at worst, a couple decades ago is now tilted toward the strenuous side of the line. And that’s OK. I can still finish the hikes even if I take a few more breaks. The scenery looks just as good and my body still reaps the physical benefits of getting out into nature.

Made it to Gulfport

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My last day at Amazon was supposed to be 12/21 and was I ever ready for that. Then they offered an additional day on 12/22. What to do, what to do. My future plans included picking up my girlfriend Jean at the Nashville Airport on 12/25. Seeing that I didn’t have any other plans, I took the extra day, and the extra money.

We spent an extra day in the Nashville area to see the Zoolumination exhibit at the Nashville Zoo. They hired a team from China to put up a lot of illuminated decorations, kind of like they do for Chinese New Year. It was very impressive and I’m glad we went.

Normally when traveling from point A to point B, I try to do it in the minimum time possible. This time, with Jean and her dog, I planned for a 2 day trip. We left Smyrna mid-morning on 12/27. Less than 10 miles down the road I noticed one of my twist on valves bouncing on the pavement under the 5er. Pulled on to the shoulder to disconnect it from the sewer cap and stow it in the truck. Fortunately, that was the worst incident during the drive. We made it to Meridian MS that afternoon while it was still daylight. Got a level, pull thru site, very cheap at Bonita Lakes RV Park https://www.campgroundreviews.com/regions/mississippi/meridian/bonita-lakes-rv-park-4811

We even got there early enough to unhitch the truck and head into town for some inexpensive diesel. I need to interject something here. I’m a big fan of Gas Buddy and use it extensively but it does have its flaws. Twice in TN and once in MS, I went to stations with false prices posted. I corrected Gas Buddy each time and did NOT get diesel at any of those stations. I don’t know if it’s the owners or some jackass just messing with other people but I sure don’t appreciate it.

Early start the next day for the final leg of the trip, a straight shot down the Interstate and US 49 to the Naval base at Gulfport. Once south of I-10, we disregarded the directions coming from Google Maps and relied on the directions from the military campgrounds website: http://www.militarycampgrounds.us/

Again, it was an early arrival so there were people in the office. We were directed to a site in the new section and given a stack of papers to read. At first glance, the sites were very spacious, full cement pad. But, because of our deck that drops down from the kitchen slide, I had to do a lot of maneuvering to get situated just right. Even with all that, the outside legs for the deck would be in the grass. Before dropping the deck, I reviewed all the park rules and found many restrictions about things in, on, or over the grass. I requested someone come by my site on Monday morning before setting up the deck. Thankfully, they had no problem with the legs in the grass.

Since then, I’ve kept busy with doctor/dentist appointments, getting more repairs on the truck and checking out local buffets. I’ll get more into that in a future post.

So long, Rochester MN

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My time in Rochester MN has come to an end. By the time I left, I felt very proficient with the zero turn lawn mowers. I even got to use an old Bobcat one day to repair some road ruts after a heavy rain. And for the second job in a row, I was treated to a Chinese buffet just before leaving. This time, it was just me, the owner, and my girlfriend. This was a lunch affair and happened at my second favorite buffet in the city since my favorite place had closed unexpectedly about 2 weeks before that. I also got surprised with an end of season bonus. Does 2 jobs in a row count as a streak when both owners would gladly take me back?

About a week before leaving, I noticed an interesting looking tree in the park. No idea how I could’ve missed this before but it definitely caught my eye this time.

We also managed to visit Niagara Cave in Harmony MN on a rainy day. One of the smaller caves I’ve visited but still interesting.

Yours Truly

Fossil in Cave Wall

Drapery Stalactite

Carrot Stalactites

If you ever visit Rochester MN, be sure to check out their extensive walking and biking trail system throughout the city. Also, wave at the ear of corn water tower on the south side of the city.

Cheeks Bend Bluff trail hike

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It was a lovely day for a hike today. Sunny and temps in the low 70s this morning. A big thanks to Google for providing a nearby trail, located in Colombia TN. There’s been some recent rains in the area so parts of the trail had puddles, but nothing that couldn’t be walked around. There were also rock formations/boulders to navigate so decent hiking boots could be beneficial. The trail was fairly well marked with blue blazes. The only time I lost the trail was while checking out the cave. Since I was hiking solo, I did not venture into the cave but it might be interesting at some other time, with a flashlight.

Fortunately, I was also using a smart phone app called MapMyFitness which showed my location in relation to the trail and got me back on course quickly. The trail was not a simple out and back, but included a loop to circle back onto the main trail. According to the app, it was a 1.15 mile walk

The main wildlife I saw on the hike were squirrels but I did hear a woodpecker at one point. I was also the first person on the trail for the day and walked through a lot of spider webs.

Overall, I would recommend this hike for any fitness level but would probably avoid it after more than light rains.

Wildflowers in the forest

Watercourse running down to the river

Tree growing from the bottom of a sinkhole

Duck River from the bluff

Large crevice in the ground

Interior of the cave

Entrance to the cave

Animal Encounters in PNW

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For those unfamiliar with the initials, PNW stands for Pacific NorthWest. I’ve been on the Olympic Peninsula since November. Although winter is not the best season to visit, there are still things to do (and the camping rates are much lower than summer).

So, if you like to see animals outside your standard zoo setting, you have a couple of options in PNW. The Olympic Game Farm, in Sequim WA has a drive through section of the properties where various animals including bison, yaks, deer and elk will approach your vehicle to be fed. You’re allowed to bring your own whole wheat bread, just show it at the gate. These animals are well aware of your reason for being there and you’ll be warned about which areas where you shouldn’t come to a complete stop because they’ll surround your vehicle. Then you have to wait for one of the workers to clear a new path for you. My grandkids loved this section and my daughter was taken totally be surprise when she turned her head momentarily, only to find a bison in her face when she turned again. I definitely had to wash the truck afterwards. Some of these animals slobber a lot. They also have some caged animals that you can observe while driving by. Plan on about 1 hour for this visit although you can drive around as long as you like.

Another option is Northwest Trek, a wildlife park in Eatonville, WA. You don’t get to drive through this one but a tram tour is included in your ticket price. A knowledgeable naturist will narrate and point out whatever wildlife is visible that day. They also have enclosed, natural habitat areas for other animals that you can walk and see, including bears, wild cats, skunks, porcupines, and birds of prey. They also have a café and gift shop on the property. You could probably spend 2-3 hours at this park.

YMCA

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In my previous post, I mentioned joining a YMCA to exercise. I did just that 5 days ago and I’ve taken full advantage of my membership in that time. I think the Y may be the best kept secret in the country. I joined primarily for use of the swimming pool but I quickly discovered they have so much more to offer. In the pool area, they have a hydro pool (hot tub). The hot jets work wonders as foot massagers. They also have both a steam room and a dry sauna. Just what the doctor ordered when it’s cold and wet outside. They have numerous classes each day. Unlike other gyms I’ve joined, they do NOT require a separate payment. It’s all covered by your membership fee. I’ve never played racquetball but they have 2 courts and said I could use one to hit a tennis ball against the wall with my tennis racket. Sweet. For those of you who like to combine socializing with your workout, I noticed that several of the senior guys would sit around drinking coffee after their exercise sessions. If they’re like this all across the country, that will be a major factor in my choice of future campgrounds.

Exercising while fulltime RVing

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First, for those of you who maintain a perfect body weight and appropriate tone and muscle mass without even trying, congratulations!!! You can read the rest of the article for laughs if you want to.

For those of us who need or want to do something besides dietary changes, traveling fulltime in an RV presents a few obstacles. That treadmill, stationary bicycle or home gym you used to have in your house? Good luck fitting it in your RV and storing it whenever you move. Same goes for the free weights and those contraptions you attach to a door jamb. As RVers, our options decrease but we do still have options for a physical exercise routine.

Going back to basics, you can always go old school. That’s right. Push-ups, sit-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks. Most of these can be done inside your RV although you might need to take the jumping jacks outside. While you’re out there, you can also do tricep dips at the picnic table or pull-ups on a nearby tree limb or piece of playground equipment. If you need a strenuous workout, try washing and waxing the RV on a sunny day 🙂

There are other exercises you can do inside with minimal equipment, something lightweight and easy to store. Instead of dragging heavy free weights across the country, you could try a set of resistance bands for weight training. Need to work on your balance and burn a few calories at the same time? Try a Simply Fit Board. For those who prefer a structured routine, there are numerous workout videos available, including yoga. A yoga mat takes up very little space and can also serve other purposes.

Some of us prefer the great outdoors, either primarily or as an addition to our workout routine. Running or walking is free. So is swimming in the local lake, river or ocean. If your campground or RV park has a swimming pool, that’s a bonus, especially if they have hours set aside for adult lap swimming or water aerobic classes. Many of us carry bicycles and that’s a great way to explore the local area. Hiking trails exist all across the country.

Sometimes, for any number of reasons, none of these options quite fit. A stationary homeowner has the option of joining a local gym. As a traveling RVer, you still have that option. Check out some of the national fitness center franchises and see if they have options that fit your lifestyle and budget. I recently checked out a local YMCA and decided to join, mainly because they have a large swimming pool, which helps me take a load off my feet while working out. After leaving my current location, I’ll probably keep the membership since I can visit any YMCA in the country and the amenities they offer are more compatible with my exercise routine than a traditional gym.

If you have other ideas for exercising on the road, feel free to leave a comment!

Marymere Falls

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Here’s the description from Google: Marymere Falls is located in Olympic National Park near Lake Crescent in Washington, United States. The falls are accessed by a one-mile, well maintained, dirt trail through old-growth lowland forest consisting of fir, cedar, hemlock, and alder trees.

The trail was actually about 3/4 mile each way. There were stairs involved which could make it rather difficult if you have knee/hip problems or are just out of shape. There’s also a narrow bridge which would make it unsuitable for wheelchairs or walkers. The trail starts on the north side of highway 101 in a paved parking lot, then crosses under the highway via a tunnel. The forest was beautiful, as were the falls and the surrounding mountains. Lake Crescent is on the north side of the highway.

Into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul: