Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

[turtledude]

LB had a week off, so we packed the Subi with camping gear and got the heck out of Dodge last Sunday at 3pm....destination Grand Canyon (her dream) with hopes of high adventure and good times.

here's the first pic I took while LB was drivin:



here's the second (the windshield wipers were full on!):

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

...the rain let up a bit as we headed west over the Jemez Mtns., but water was pouring off the canyon walls. I promised LB there would be sun in Valley Cauldera, and assured her that we would find a place to pitch the tent that would be dry.



...the God's shined on us!






we pressed on a little further...and the pavement became dirt.







...and lucked onto a great campground site just east of Cuba, NM.

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

after a great meal we fell asleep, storing all the foodstuffs in the car so the bears wouldn't bother us.

I got up before sunrise as usual and started playing with the camera and setting up for breakfast as LB slept.





these things are called Indian Paintbrush

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

we headed out...southeast through Navajo country...toward the Hubbell Trading Post and hopefully the Painted Desert National Park after that....









The road I chose wasn't exactly up to LB's standards and the atmosphere in the car got a bit thick as she tried to keep the car frum getting trashed...(mi BAD!)



but we found pavement again, and peace was restored.



towns with clean restrooms earn bonus points!

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

Hubbel Trading Post in Arizona. (I'll post a scan of a map tomorrow)

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

[f0rTyLeGz]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

On the road again... great fun!

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

Yup, 40L

[QK13]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

Dude!! Awesome as always!!
Keep em comin!!

When I visisted a cousin in Utah years ago, our original plan was to camp in Grand Canyon Nat'l Park, but for some reason it got switched up to Yellowstone. GC is on my bucket list.

[applepie]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

Your pictures are awesome! love this one.....it reminded me of Little house on the Praire

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: turtledude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">



</div></div>

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

Heyu QK (Do it in September!)....and thanks AP!

...so, uh, where wuz I ???

I jus got the scanner hooked up agin, after 1 year.

this furst map is NM to Arizona



and then down to the painted desert.
I think we used at least 4 maps and a gps and still managed to get lost a few times.

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

Painted desert/Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona....a 17 mile drive, <span style="color: #FF0000">No Camping</span>, Arrrgh.

this batch is in no particular order:

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

petrified logs and other stuff





G

[turtledude]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

[Nanook]

Re: Grand Canyon or Bust...dirty SW tent tour II

AMAZING!!!!

I'm so jealous. I've been by the place a dozen times but never had time to stop. Must make time. Bucket list for real!

I hope you have many more!!!

Hey LB!!!!