Over five thousand miles of road, from our home in Oregon, to Tucson, AZ, to pick up a new to us Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB, onward to Tulsa, OK to visit my mom and siblings. Then a week among the national parks in Utah before returning back home. An incredible and beautiful trip March and into April, 2025.
The highways of Utah are stunning
Our route…
From Oregon to Tucson, AZ
There is a section of Interstate 15 just south of St George, as you drop into Arizona that is a marvel of engineering. The ‘Radiator Springs Racers’ ride at Disneyland best describes the driving experience as you wind within a towering slot canyon coming down off the mesa.
A few hours in Vegas to stretch the legs and see the Sphere in person.
The forced perspective of The Aria is interesting, creating a complete cityscape in a relatively small area. .
Tucson, AZ. Moving into Rosie The Riveter, our new-to-us Airstream Flying Cloud 23FB.
Biosphere 2 is a fascinating visit, walking through so many different biomes from around the globe in one single setting.. Bring headphones for the self guided audio tour.
Staircase in the living quarters of Biosphere 2.
Tropical fruits
Jungle, in Arizona!
Onward to Tulsa, OK
Sonoran Desert in northern Arizona
The Salt River Canyon on Highway 60 in Northern Arizona is an absolutely stunning drive… that requires a high level of concentration.
Some nights in the trailer aren’t so glamorous… A convenient Love’s RV Stop in Amarillo, TX. Earplugs required for sleeping.
Woolaroc museum outside Tulsa, OK. A tribute to the founder of Conoco 66 and his incredible collection of art, animals and artifacts.
Tepee at Woolaroc, outside of Tulsa, OK
Heading to Utah’s National Parks
Overnight above Denver. Arrived in the dark, woke up to snow and a long travel day ahead.
Driving toward Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
The view from Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah. The campground sits on a mesa two thousand feet above Moab and the Colorado River.
The legend of Dead Horse Point is cowboys would drive wild horses onto this point, pick some to keep, leaving the rest behind this bramble to die without water.
Arches National Park… if it wasn’t obvious
We spent three days working remote from Torrey, Utah, in the fantastic Wonderland RV Park. That’s a cow through the window looking at me!
April snow
Walking along a dry river bed in Capitol Reef National Park. Names from travelers going back over one hundred years cover this particular section of wall.
Just one example, Melvin Cook signed his name in 1925. There are a handful from the late 1800’s.
Cairns mark the path on this scramble up a steep hill. Snow clouds form over the peaks.
‘The Tanks”, water holes carved in the stone, at Capitol Reef National Park.
Note the hikers ahead, walking along the dry river bed amidst towering rock walls. Capitol Reef National Park.
Light snow over the Gifford Barn in Capitol Reef National Park
The weather at Capitol Reef can change quickly, just few hours this road looked quite different.
On the road from Capitol Reef to Zion we came across the childhood of Butch Cassidy, Circleville, Utah
Camping in Zion Canyon Campground, backed up to the Virgin River.
Spring break crowds at Zion, representing every nationality. Line management at the visitor center and tram queue is reminiscent of a Disney ride.
The disc golf course just outside Zion is a nice getaway from the crowds.
Sprinting back to Oregon
Sleeping under the Love’s sign in Idaho on the way home.
Quintessential Idaho
After a month away, coming through Sisters, Oregon, the pine forests and lush mountain scapes feel at once both familiar and spectacular.
Crossing over… the trees on the West side of the Cascades almost immediately change from ponderosa to giant Douglas Firs. We are home. Wet, misty, rainy home.