All Along the Watchtower

April 18 - 19, 2023

Cameron, Arizona   

We have perfect sleeping weather Monday night - 45 degrees with a light, windows-open-all-night breeze. The expected wind is kicking up before 8 AM, and after showers and a light breakfast we're pulling in the slides against the 25 mph dust. Well, we attempt to pull them all in. The full-size slide binds and stops even after a few attempts to reset it. We both suspect the horrible condition of our miles on I-40 messed with the tracks. It's pulled in enough to lock down the topper so we head out for our day at the canyon. We are NOT missing it again!

This really is a great spot to stay for visiting the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. A stunningly beautiful thirty-minute drive along the Little Colorado River takes us to the east gate, just 500 yards from our initial destination of Desert View. On the drive we're unable to stop at the lookouts run by the Nation as they're closed - probably due to the high winds (don't want tourists getting blown off the edge!). Can't complain when the views from the highway are so amazing.

 

Little Colorado River Canyon

Pretty rock formations.

The river carved deep canyons throughout the valley.

Waiting for just three other vehicles at the gate is a good sign. The good continues with a close parking space at Desert View. At 59 degrees the 20 mph winds make for a chilly walk around. The incredible canyon views, and finally getting to see Mary Colter's Watchtower, are well worth the briskness of the morning. 

Our first glimpse of the canyon.

There it is! Mary's vision realized.

Up close to the canyon with dirt blowing in the distance.

Windows on the first floor frame the beauty outside.

Framed black mirrors move back and forth to change the view - they're very cool!

With sustained winds of 30 mph back at the rig we're in no hurry to return home. Instead we take advantage of less crowds and clear skies (the canyon itself is hazy from the blowing dust). I'm able to walk all of the overlooks - it's wonderful to see this natural wonder from so many angles, to capture multiple perspectives. 

Our only wildlife sighting - nearly the size of Tessa!

We find the crowds at the huge, full parking lots of the Visitor Center. This we pass without hesitation! Happily we find plenty of open parking at the market and deli just down the road. A couple of surprisingly fresh salads make for a nice mid-day break at our turn-around point. 

The wind gets stronger "up here" as the day progresses, but I'm hopeful they're subsiding back at home. As soon as we're out of the junipers and pinion pines it's clear this isn't the case :-( Even with all the dust we can see the expanse of the Painted Desert in the distance. Northern Arizona is a treasure.

Although we finally see the Watchtower and this corner of the canyon, Cameron still doesn't like us.

Winds rock the rig with gusts up to 48 mph throughout the night. Maneuvering is tricky with all the slides (almost) pulled in. It's still windy in the morning but seems to be slowing down and the forecast on our route looks good. We cross our fingers and try pulling in the big slide all the way. No. We try moving it out. No. It's clearly gotten tweaked, I'm sure from the huge bounces on I-40. Not our first damage from a crappy interstate (I-10 Louisiana!). Bill is able to apply enough pressure on the outside to get it within 2 inches of "all the way in". Good enough, we're on the road by 9:30.

North through Tuba City and Kayenta, then a new route for us into Bluff, Utah on Hwy 191. This is not a "gotta-pee" friendly area! The last 30 miles are brutal with 25 mph side winds and rough pavement. The views are wonderful, albeit dusty.

Cadillac Ranch RV Park is a small, no frills location with 30 amp FHU (they also have 50 but they're full). Kerrie has been in touch this morning and greets us when we arrive. I seem to remember I got one of the last sites in Bluff when I made the reservation in January. 

We're here for a week with the large slide pulled in. Alas, I refuse to let it ruin our travels - not even going to a laundromat! We have lots of fun things planned :-)

Still room to cook :-)

Reese and Penelope take their parents on a flight to see family.

Elliott and Ezra take their parents to the poppy fields in SoCal.