Annie's Van-Ventures: October 2024

It was about a 4 hour drive to Salt Lake City and by the time I got there, I was so tired, I called my son Cameron and asked if he could book me a hotel for the night. Driving in Salt Lake is very stressful - the traffic is CRAZY, their street names do NOT make sense, and I needed some rest.

Cam got me a nice hotel room (with a kitchen!) in the Hyatt, and I slept like a baby until 3 am, when I got up, got dressed, and got the heck out of there! I wanted to get out of SLC before the morning traffic.

I drove about an hour to get out of the crazy city, then pulled into a Love's Travel Stop and slept another hour and a half. Then I got up and headed to Bend. I drove for over 10 hours! I slept at the Elks Club that night, got up early and was home by 7 am!

Honestly, there is NO place like home! I am SO happy to be back home sleeping in my own bed, having my own bathroom. First thing I did was take a long, hot bath. Then I simply rested for the day. Next day I unpacked, did laundry, and rested some more.

I've decided that was my last long haul in the van. I'm going to enjoy some short camping trips next spring/summer - but no more cross-country.

By the way - can't recall if I wrote this already - but if I had NOT taken the segway to Missouri to visit my cousins there, I would have been right in the middle of the hurricane on the Blue Ridge Parkway where the roads washed out. So even though it was a crazy and stressful time, I'm grateful to God and the Universe for (once again) possibly saving my life.

Happy Trails!

Love,

Annie

Two visitors walking up to the arch with flashlights.

My GPS told me I could arrive at a campground, see the vistor's center, and THEN go into the park. Upon arrival, I learned that was not true. The campground was INSIDE the park and it was full. So I opted to get an inexpensive hotel room. After learning that I could go into the park before 7 am and not have to pay or have a timed entry ticket, I decided to wake up early, enter the park, and watch the sunrise. I had gotten some advice from some gals in one of my Facebook travel groups, so instead of going to "the Delicate Arch" I headed for a spot called "Windows." It was perfect! No cars, just me. Lots of parking. Bathrooms. And a short trail leading to a giant windowed arch where I sat with others who finally arrived, and watched the sun come up.

Arches is an incredible park! I hope to go back someday. Here are some photos from my day (sorry, they are not in order.)