Wednesday, April 2, 2025
Mohave, CA.
The trip got turned around on the first day! Highway 80 over the Sierra was closed due to snow, so I decided to go south and then over the Tehachapi out of Bakersfield. The drive east is beautiful. The sun was on the foothills, which looked nothing like the foothills going up Highway 80. They are green this time of year with scattered oaks and boulders that look like sheep. No huge coniferous forests, Scattered snow low and lots up high. The shape of the foothills is not as smooth as further north but is more pointed. Hundreds of windmills are along the ridges, and it is very windy and cold. We drove 400 miles today and again tomorrow on our way to St. George, Utah. I opted for a hotel tonight. We will have three nights in St. George, and the puppies and I can get more accustomed to nights in the RV. These will be the two longest days on the entire trip.
Thursday, April 3, 2025
St. George, Utah
We were in four states today: So. California, Las Vegas, Nevada, a corner of Arizona, and now Utah. We got lost in Las Vegas and St. George. I almost ran out of gas near Mesquite, Utah. But, oh, what a wonderful day! Saw the world’s largest thermometer in Baker, CA. Coming down from the mountains to the State Line between CA and NV presented the most spectacular view. It was raining to the south. The valley was immense, surrounded by mountains on three sides. The mountain slopes were bare, dark at the top (, and sand colored where erosion had occurred. It was so beautiful with the flickering sunlight, the dark, brooding clouds everywhere, and the rain to the south. We went through the Virgin River Gorge on North Interstate 15 into St. George. Evolution was very busy here. The cliffs were a vivid mix of red, white, black, and sand. ( Black is lava, other colors sandstone and limestone.)The Virgin River had cut quite a beautiful swath through that mountain. Entering St.George from the south, I could see the white LDS Temple in front of bright vermillion bluffs. Some people might convert simply because of the beauty here. We stayed in St. George RV Park looking east at the red cliffs. The manager was lovely and really helped me get settled. He then spent an hour telling me everything wrong with Democrats and Gov. Newsom.
Friday, Saturday April 4,5. St George
I continue to be on the learning curve with the RV. Very cold the first night until I learn ed how to use heater. Misuse of the refrigerator ran the volts way down. Couldn’t get the cassette toilet out to empty. Rob, the owner helped, as did two people walking along a lake shore. Various nice people have helped me with all sorts of help with directions. Driving the rv (Moroni) has become comfortable, Even backing up-except up in the red cliffs where I went up a wrong way dirt road and then needed to back up. I needed help with that big time.
My parents were married here and my oldest brother (Dee) was born here. My approach was so naïve –oh, I would just drive around and find all of the historical sites, no problem. I hadn’t been here since 197? , and fifty-five years later I didn’t recognize it. The sprawl is similar to that in Las Vegas. When you think of the limited water resources in these desert environments, you wonder where the water is coming from. Similar problems as Sacramento grows, yet we have two rivers.
Mostly, I concentrated on the amazing geology and natural beauty. I drove all over surrounding areas and found myself on the route of the Old Spanish Trail. Again, naively, I had only thought about three overland trails : California, Oregon, Mormon. Well, there are four, plus several others not named but by the participants.
Brigham Young’s Winter House tour was interesting, and I had a wonderful conversation afterwards with the guide about the meaning of ordinances, covenants, and temple work (LDS theology). Her great grandparents came to Zion with the tragic Willie and Martin handcart company. We talked about the Dixie Mission which was what the settlement St. George was all about. It was a mission called by Brigham Young to raise cotton, and it failed miserably My great grandfather was a part of that call in 1857. My sister’s name is Dixie Beth.
One day I drove out to Mountain Meadows, the site of a massacre of about 120 emigrants traveling from Arkansas . The aggressors were Mormon, self-designated militiamen, and members of a Paiute tribe. It was a black day in Mormon history, and a part of the Utah War . The war involved two armed hostile groups- Mormon settlers in the Utah territory and federal troops. The conflict was about governance and autonomy. It was a tragedy that these emigrants got caught in the middle of the local conflicts. None were Mormon. The LDS church tried for years to cover up this story.
Sunday, April 6th
Green River, Utah
It was a long day because I stopped so many times for short hikes and photographs. I took North 15 from St. George, and then East 70 to Green River. It is a stunning drive; around every corner is a new spectacular view. Red cliffs, carved by erosion into fantastical shapes . The palette of colors varies from cool, somber to outrageous vermillion. It would be an impertinence to ignore the spectacle. It would be supercilious to avoiding pondering the origin of such splendor. To be impassive in the presence of such wonder is too be unseeing and unfeeling.
Just before entering Green River, we stopped at a field of alfalfa with snow covered Rocky Mountains in the near distance. Maisie ran like a crazy dog on amphetamines.
That night, Ruffie slept in my arms all night. She has never done that before – Ruffie, the elegant, reserved one.
Monday, April 7th
Glenville Springs, Colorado
The drive east along Interstate 70 follows the Colorado river which is bright green at this point in its course.
Being a little tired, we just cruised along enjoying the drive. Glenville Springs in near Aspen and other skiing areas. Not surprisingly, it seems very affluent.