Grand Staircase Capitol Reef Goblin Valley

Started out on highway 12 making my way through the Grand Staircase National Park via Escalante. Entered the Capitol Reef on highway 24. Decided to fore go the scenic drive of Capitol Reef and head directly to Goblins Valley. Good thing I didn't take the scenic drive of Capitol Reef, I was stopping every mile taking pictures. I spent the whole day going from the Grand Staircase to the Capitol Reef and Goblin's Valley. I ended up in Green River, Utah. Friend called and said to pick up some water melons from Green River, the best in the World. I sampled the melons first and bought them. I also bought a cantaloupe and Israeli melon, the best I tasted. Arches National Park is on for tomorrow.

Red Rock and Bryce Canyons

After spending a whole day at Zions', continued the next day traveling towards Red Rock and Bryce Canyons. Arrived at Red Rock Canyon on highway 12. It was a slow journey, stopping every so often taking pictures. Finally entered Bryce Canyon via highway 63. Spent the whole day at Bryce Canyon. Took many pictures. Found that heights is one of my phobia's, fared well despite it. Ended up in Escalante. Tomorrow will Visit Goblin Valley and Arches National Park.

Virgin River to Zion National Park

After leaving California, entered Arizona and took pictures of the area around the virgin river. Decided to stay the night with Earl and family in St. George. Got up early and started for Zion's. Spent all day at Zion National Park and took over 200 pictures. The next day I will visit Bryce Canyon and goblin valley. Lost track of number of days on vacation. Decided not to travel to Carl's Bad Cavern's in New Mexico. Beauty about vacations it changes from day to day.

California landscapes Days 11 12 and 13

Arrived in California and initially the oregon coast extended it self into California. Next took a tour through the Red Woods and visited Paul Bunyan and his ox. Decided that the trip was taking along time and decided to head inland to see Dave and family. Arrived in Bakersfield and was greeted by all. See slideshow above and video below.

Oregon Coast 9th and 10th day

Traveled down the coast of Oregon the next two days. Had car trouble and possibly the flue bug. Saw the Sea Lion Cave. Visited many cities along the coast. Iam still waiting to dry out my tent. See if you can spot the whale from the video below.

Olympic National Forest 7th and 8th day

Went to the Olympic National Forest after visiting San Juan Islands. Stayed in Sequim, Washington my first night. The day had been rainy and my tent was wet, so I stayed at the local motel. In the morning I started off with the sun above and visited Lake Crescent and took many pictures. Took a few hours to travel around the Olympic forest. Ended up camping out at Lake Quinault about 70 miles past Forks Washington on HWY 101.

I was hungry and I cooked up beans with corn and a roasted hot dog and marshmallows. I lost my first hot dog to the coals. After setting up the tent and letting it dry out it was getting dark. I decided to forgo the hike to the lake until morning, since it was partly cloudy. After going to bed that night I woke up in a rain shower again. Had to load everything in the car quickly to get out of the rain. I took the tarp off the tent at the time it was not raining. As I was putting the tarp in the car, the rain came and soaked my tent. Threw my tent in the car and left. Could not get any pictures of the lake due to low clouds and pore visibility. Again, I ended up in a motel, this time in Seaside Oregon. I really am enjoying the vacation despite the rain.

Day 6 - San Juan Island campout.

Fortunately was able to get directions to the San Juan Island ferry using my GPS app off my blackberry. The ferry lasted about an hour and a half travel time. In the meantime I took alot of pictures. Arrived at Friday Harbor on San Juan Island. Got lost while trying to find the San Juan county park. After asking directions found the county park and there I went to set up camp. Drove back to Friday Harbor and walked around the city. Reminded me of a New England town.
Got back to camp and went to bed. Got up early in the morning to find rain showers. Wrapped up my tent, wet, and put it in the car.

Day 5 - Seattle Washington

Broke camp early and traveled to Seattle by noon. Spent an hour lost in Seattle, finally ended up at a motel 2 blocks away from the space needle. Good thing I quickly unpacked and walked over to the space needle, the line was very long. Eventrually saw the space needle and was able to look over the city of Seattle at 520 feet.

Next, I visited the Science Fiction Museum and really enjoyed it. Alot of interesting facts. Need to be on my way. Live Long and Prosper.

Day 4 - Vantage, Washington

Arrived early in Vantage and was able to get one of the last campsites available. Apparently a concert was to be held that night. The group called Fish, never heard of the group was to perform at the concert. Therefore people all over the region took most campsites. I set up my tent without much difficulty. Went to the Petrified Forest Park and the Columbia river overlooks and enjoyed the sights.
Cooked hot dogs and marshmallows over a fire for dinner. Went to bed early and that's when the wind picked up quite a bit. All night long the wind howled, causing my tent to flatten on top of me. I did get some sleep though.

Cruisin' on Coeur d'Alene - Day 3

Arrived in Coeur d'Alene, Id in the morning. I had a hard time connecting to the internet and could not understand why. After talking with the front desk and maintenance men, finally fixed the problem. Both tcpip settings, versions 4 and 6 had to be set for automatic ip addressing using dhcp to distribute the ip address. I had only one set correctly.

Today I will be going on a Cruise Ship, to see Coeur d'Alene, and had to find where the ship is docked. Could not find a route to travel using MapQuest, I used logical directions which took me where the cruise ship would be docked - quite easily. Getting back to the motel was just as easy using logical directions again. I hope my luck does not run out.

The cruise lasted 1-1/2 hours. It was totally fun and took many pictures. I created a slideshow showing some of the pictures I took today. I also included some pictures I took in Moscow Id.

Tomorrow morning I will traveling to Vantage Washington. I will be visiting the Petrified forest there. I'll do a new post tomorrow. Bye!!!

Day 2 - trip to Moscow, Idaho

Got up this morning had breakfast and packed for trip to Moscow, Idaho. I took I95 north to Lewiston, should have taken 55, more scenic. The last leg on 95 was quite scenic. See pictures below. Stop at all rest stops. A car went through a red light and almost hit me. If I was sleepy before, I am wide awake now. Got Moscow at about 4:30 pm Pacific time.

Day 1 - travel to Mountain Home

Started out today on the first day of my trip, at 6:30a.m.. Stopped at rest stop in Idaho and got a couple of hours of sleep. The sleep helped, since I didn't get much sleep the night before.
Was going to Craters of the Moon, but was told it would take 2 hours one-way trip. Decided against the excursion to Craters of the Moon since it would take up to much time. Arrived at Mountain Home around 1:30p.m. Caught up on sleep before adding this post to my blog.
Will leave early tomorrow en route to Moscow Idaho.

Packing Day

Leaving on my trip tomorrow - Tuesday August 4th. - For sure!!!
What a day. Found that writing a list of things to pack is better than trying to remember what to pack. Spent the morning going to a from stores making sure I have everything. My family said I could borrow camping gear, luggage, etc., but declined. Next time I go on a trip I'll have everything.
Spent afternoon packing. Went to Sizzler with parents and sister. Said, tearful, goodbyes. Packing slower after a full stomach. Hope I get done tonight. I see a light at the end of the tunnel. Better get back to packing, bye!

Update on when leaving

Finding that getting ready for my trip is taking a day longer than I planned. Monday, Aug. 3rd I will be packing. I recently bought a new video camcorder and trying to learn how to use it. It's neat, takes fantastic video and pictures.

Travel Itinerary

The following is my tentitive itinerary, beginning Aug. 3rd 2009, while traveling to Idaho, Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and back to Utah:
August 3rd - leave Ogden, Utah. I will be taking I-15 to I-84 en route to Mountain Home, Idaho.

August 4th - leave Mountain Home Idaho en route to Moscow Idaho. See Aaron and family.

August 5th - leave Moscow Idaho en route to Coeur d'Alene, Id. Take plenty of pictures and video.

August 6th - leave Coeur d'Alene, Id en route to Vantage Washington.

August 7th - leave Vantage Washington en route to Seattle Washington. See the space needle and Sci-Fi museum.

August 8th - leave Seattle Wash. en route to San Juan Islands, Wash. Take the ferry and camp out.

August 9th - leave San Juan Islands Wash. en route to Forks Wash. See Olympic Nat. Forest.

August 10th - leave Forks Wash. en route to Seaside Oregon.

August 11th - leave Seaside Oregon en route to Newport Oregon.

August 12th - leave Newport Oregon en route to Coos Bay Oregon.

August 13th - leave Coos Bay Oregon en route to Eureka California.

August 14th - leave Eureka Ca. en route to Olema, Ca.

August 15th - leave Olema, Ca. en route to Bakersfield Ca. See Golden Gate, Dave and family.

August 16th - leave Bakersfield Ca. en route to St. George Utah.

August 17th - leave St. George Utah arrive home Ogden Utah.