Burro pull, New Jersey to Moab

[MyronL]

Five thousand, two hundred and ninety eight miles, in 15 days.

It took four days on the road from New Jersey, with a first stop for the night near Columbus, Ohio. Alton RV Park was full of really big RV’s, there for the annual P-51 Mustang shindig at the airport but they gave us an extension cord and squeezed us a spot near the lighted sign beside the road. Clean restrooms/showers. Our second night was spent at the Casino Queen RV Park across from St. Louis. Absolutely top notch heated restrooms/showers. Spent $100 for dinner, then lost $15 at the slots. Third night was Rockwell RV Park off I-40 Oklahoma City. Clean, heated, restrooms/showers. We spent the fourth night in a Moriarity, NM Super8. (Hey, we aren’t totally nuts.)

Our fifth night was at our first prime destination, Cochiti Lake Campground, off I-25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, NM. Spent 3 nights there, did the Balloon Festival, Old Town, etc. Clean restrooms/showers. Lunch at the Frontier.

Then it was off to Moab, Utah and Canyonlands, Arches NP, etc., this our second prime destination. We think this area is more spectacular than the Grand Canyon, but that’s us. Hit road again on the third day, eastbound now, through Colorado and Rocky Mountain NP, Roosevelt Forest, boondocking in the White River National Forest, ($5) and on up to I-80 and Nebraska. We stopped and boondocked at the Cabella’s RV Park for free (heated, top notch restrooms.)

By 7 PM the next night we had to take a chance and followed campground signs for a couple miles off I-80 through Dexter, Iowa to Beaver Lake Campground. It was safe, clean, with heated showers, $10 boondock. Our last night on the road was west of Toledo on I-80. Again, we opted for a Super 8. Drove all the next day and made it home to our own bed by 8 PM.

While in transit our late suppers were Bertolli brand frozen prepared pasta meals. Heat 8 minutes and eat, followed by canned, sliced peaches or pears, maybe carrot cake. Fast and easy, quite tasty. Dog Ben usually slept. Switched drivers every 2 hours or so. Driving through Missouri we listened to Jack Lemmon read Huckleberry Finn on CD and in Oklahoma and Texas it was Louis L’Amour’s Hondo. On the way back we listened to Michael Crieghton’s book, Point of Fear. (It’s about global warming.)

No mechanical problems with the tow, no close calls on the road, no bad weather, no sudden fear, except maybe one time getting gas in a shady part of St Louis when I got lost looking for the Cardinals’ ball field, and another time east of Moriarity when I forgot to watch the gas gauge and we almost ran out.

Gas station stops: 23.
Anti-freeze: 2 gallons.
Motor oil: 5 quarts.

[Gina D.]

Bertolli brand frozen prepared pasta meals

Those are a common item in my fridge when traveling too! Good stuff, full meal, cooks fast, easy clean up. My kinda kitchen work..

Love your pics, sounds like you had good luck with your parks!

[Jay Herb]

Myron,
when were you at Canyonlands & Arches NP.? we were their from Oct. 4 through 8.
On Oct. 5 I saw a 13' Burro at the Horse Thief BLM campground ( about 10 miles from Canyonlands NP.) towed by a Astro van, talked to the people and told them about this site.

[MyronL]

Arrived Moab Rim Rv Campground just before midnight Oct 6, leaving Tues Oct. 9th. It is just south of town. We used a tent site with electric hook up, and water was nearby. Had my eyes peeled for eggs the whole trip but only saw two, both Casitas, I think.

[Jan Adams]

When ever we are around Moab, we try to stay at Dead Horse Point. We love it there. Anybody else been there?

[MyronL]

Right on, Gina. What amazed me was you don't even have to add water. Since I like to eat big we fortified some meals with canned chicken, or extra cheese, but was hardly necessary.

Jan, I remember we drove right past the turn-off to Dead Horse Point. Next time will check it out! Speaking of horses, Jay, sorry we missed you. Don't recall seeing Horse Thief campground. I really would have liked taking a horse ride up the dusty trail someplace, like John Wayne, even if listening to the Hondo book made me laugh.

[Jan Adams]

Dead Horse Point has the best views of the Colorado River - better than the Grand Canyon. I believe it is a state park. They use solar lighting for everything and each campsite has a shelter, food locker, tent space and, of course, the solar lighting.

No showers available because of the distance they have to haul the water but it is a wonderful camping place - or a wonderful viewpoint of the Colorado River.

[Jay Herb]

Myron,
Horse Thief campground is a BLM and it is dry camping even the camp host had to get his own water.
The camp ground is about 12 miles from HWY 191 UP THE Canyonland Hwy. and a 1/2 on a gravel road, their is a sign on the Rt.side of the road just at the turn off.
The campground doesn't have any horses at all or any place to camp with them, but it would be nice to take a horse ride into the back country.

Jan,
we went to Dead Horse SP. and enjoyed the view of the Colorado River and the campground was nice too.
I remembered that we saw a Casita camped there.
Hope that everyone had a good time in Southern Utah. Jay