KODACHROME: MAY 28-30

MONDAY: We leave Bryce today, so all the ATV's have decided to pull out as well. I'd like to pick em off as they motor by. Anger management, anyone? We hit the laundry and another failed attempt to get something posted. The machine is working better, but I seem to have forgotten my log-in for the blog. Augh! As the senior Costanza said: "Serenity, Serenity NOW." I think I'll quit torturing myself and leave all computer stuff until we get home. Ahhhhhh. Ommmmmm. We packed up, dumped tanks, got propane, and topped off the gas. Urk. 8 mpg? I don't believe that any more than the alleged 10.75 earlier. As we sat in the gas station lot gazing at the map, a shadow fell over my left side. I looked over and zounds! Another LazyDaze. Meet Jerry and Marian from South Carolina in their 3-week-old 26' mid-bath model, "Orion." They're slowly making their way cross country after picking up their rig. They're headed to Kodachrome, which happens to be our next stop, but they're going to do laundry and emails first. We'll meet them there. Short trip to the thriving community of Tropic, where we groceried, and on to Kodachrome. We've found that the grocery stores in these small towns are usually pretty good on the basics, as they deal a lot with transients like us. Surprisingly, we get better prices here on things like fresh blueberries, breads, and tomatoes than we do at home. Meats seem to be all frozen and all from some local packer in Moab. We traveled the short distance to Kodachrome State Park, so-named by a National Geographic team in 1948 that did an article here (they got permission from Kodak). This is pretty desolate, although beautiful, country. Our reso was waiting and we got what apparently is a primo spot (#13) at the far end of the campground. The ranger said some guy had been calling for days, pleading to get that spot. Tough! We made sure there were enough openings for Jerry & Marian, as they didn't have a reso, and drove in. This will be our first "dry-camp" experience (without any water or electric hookups), so we're looking forward to giving the solar a workout. Assembled our cheapo new Weber gas grill (insert rod A through hole D . . .), figured out the gas hookups, and we're good to go. Pork loins with sweet potatoes, sauteed onions and mixed veggies. The chef at Bryce should take lessons from us. A couple of local ales, watch the sun go down, listen to the Chukka partridges scooting about, good books until bedtime, and lights out.
TUESDAY: Kodachrome is set in a box-bowl canyon whose hills are fairly unremarkable, although steep. The interest here are the, um, phallic formations that dot the landscape, formed by lava that pushed up through surrounding rock, which surrounds then eroded away, leaving the lava column. This campground is called the jewel of the Utah park system. I have to say the facilities are excellent. Ultra-clean bathrooms and showers with plenty of hot water. We'll take advantage of those as a break from the Navy "showers" that we take in the coach. The downside is that the terrain is pure red dust. Tiny dust. Powdery dust. The kind that, when the wind blows, GETS INTO EVERYTHING. Guess what happens every afternoon? You betcha. You have to close the windows because it even comes through the screens. We find this out the hard way. I can only imagine what will happen when we start off and I apply the disc brakes for the first time. Ouch. Went out and did some hiking on the Angel's Palace Trail and the nature trail, the latter nicely laid out with numbered stops and a guide pamphlet for the trees, shrubs, rock formations, termite mounds, and all the highlights. Stopped off at Orion on the way back and agreed to have a potluck with Jerry and Marian. Popped some brews in the fridge, Loni made chicken soft tacos, and we went a-calling. Marian's multi-bean salad went perfectly with the tacos and the beers went fine with everything, especially the nonstop conversation. Ever meet folks that you instantly strike a rapport with? We had a great evening. Jerry teaches computer science at College of Charleston, and Marian just retired as a technical writer and editor. We had amazingly similar outlooks and interests ranging from wives who love to cook, husbands who do the dishes, air shows, Star Trek, children with dissimlar natures, Mac computers, and, of course, LD's. fun people to know and we hope to stay in touch and cross paths again. They have a Dustyfoot setup for internet connection since they both spend time every day online.
WEDNESDAY: the Hound of the Baskervilles barked and bayed all night at anything and nothing. We could hear the owner trying to quiet him so, short of eviction, there was not much to be done. Daylight revealed a hyper Irish Setter with a baritone voice in the next campsite over. If they're staying, we'll have a few words, and hopefully no repeat. Breakfasted and broke out the bikes, de-dusted them as well as we could, and set out for Chimney Rock, about three miles each way. It looked like paved road on the map, but turned out the last two miles were not-too-smooth gravel. We bumped along, enjoying the absolute silences and the panoramic views, including almost the entire Bryce ridge off to the West. Chimney rock turns out to be just a fatter version of the other columns, but stands out in the open with nothing else around. As we were shooting photos from a distance, three beefy guys arrived in an SUV and seemed intent on examining something around the side of the rock. We strolled over as they moved on around, to see what was so interesting. There were names and dates carved in the rock, including one that said: "Willis and Sears, Aug 4, 1918." As we were looking at it, one of the three came back around and pointed at the "Willis." "My grandfather," he said. We had a nice chat with him, his brother, and son. His grandfather had been some sort of surveyor, and his father worked for the Park Service. He and his brother grew up in Bryce, Zion, and the Grand Canyon. Wow. Better than L.A.! Back to camp and checked with Jerry and Marian, who were stowing their gear to move on. Safe trip! Our evening entertainment tonight is the wailing of not one, but two infants from the same campsite on the other side of us. No hound. This goes on for a full two hours before (a) they fell asleep, or (b) their parents killed them. My preference shall go unstated. So much for the primo camping spot!