Highs and Lows in our Last Utah Stops

May 3 - 11, 2023 

Provo and Ogden, Utah

We leave the red rocks behind Wednesday morning, heading northwest across open plains surrounded by snowy mountains. Still pretty, but very different! After a couple weeks of two-lane roads, I-15 feels like getting on a tarmac - thankfully a smooth one. 

Cleaner windshield - thanks Honey!!

Utah Lake State Park is a new stop for us, although I've had reservations here three times that I've had to cancel. Glad I persevered as the park is very nice. 30 amp and water on asphalt sites with covered picnic table. We have views of the lake and mountains. It's very close to the city, which for the errands and RV mobile repairs we need to get done, it's perfect!

Except for an abundance of foxtails, the sites are well maintained.

After we get set up Jeff calls from Tombstone, he's been in an accident, no one is hurt, his car is being towed with a lot of damage. He gets a ride back to the house from our local friends. I'm beyond grateful that he's okay, just have to get through all the insurance fun!

While in Bluff I was able to make an appointment with a mobile tech here in Provo. They come to our site and I head to town for groceries, and a much needed car wash. For some reason I prefer to be elsewhere when repairs are being done. The techs probably appreciate it as well :-)

As soon as I pull out of the car wash it starts raining - but at least it's just spotted and not muddy! The rain continues on and off for most of our stay. Temps drop again, heater and jackets back on.

Back at the rig they manage to get the slide out and back in, diagnose the broken parts, and commit to getting it fixed as soon as they can order said parts. The good news is they have a tech in Ogden, our next stop, so we can still move on Monday. However, it's likely we'll have to extend our time (hopefully this is possible) there until the work can be completed. It's always something......but resolution is in sight.

I don't have much on our "let's-go-see-that" list except the Provo Canyon Scenic Byway and a small museum. The weather forecast looks like Friday is the best day for the drive so we're up and out while it's dry. 

Nope. The road is closed. Keep Out - Unstable Conditions. 

Instead we continue up Hwy 189 and can immediately see why things are unstable. The Provo River is bank to bank and running fast. With this additional rain and the continuing massive snow melt it looks like flooding is very possible. From the highway we can see that the byway is already washed out in a few areas. What a crazy weather year!

Although we miss the scenic byway, we are able to view Bridal Veil Falls from an outlook on the highway.

Lots of beautiful mountains here.

We check out a rustic campground where many of the sites are a couple feet from the rushing water.

After a nice lunch with very fresh produce at Mapleby's, I'm not feeling the museum this afternoon. With a quick stop to replace the fuel cap for the rig, we return home in pouring rain. We can see the mountains are getting more snow! 52 degrees and new snow above us on Cinco de Mayo??

With our new prescription plan we're able to pick up refills at the local Walgreens. It's nice no longer having to trust we'll be able to get them in the mail while traveling!

Because the RV mobile company that is fixing our slide has techs in Ogden, we're on the road moving north as planned on Monday. Also in the plan is getting new tires on the rig. We last bought tires in 2017, and when we left Tombstone I knew we'd be replacing them on this trip. Might as well go back to where we got them last time - Salt Lake City. The company has changed hands and they don't have the tires we need but they refer us to a place that does. Yay! At exactly half-way between Provo and Ogden, it's an easy stop. 

Naturally a tanker truck needing 12 tires pulls in just before us so we know it's going to take a few hours. We grab a delicious breakfast at Dee's, then Bill suggests a drive up to the ski area. Good idea!

The drive to the Alta Ski Area is a mix of stunning beauty and scary avalanche warnings.

At the resort, high drifts remain around most buildings. The parking lots are nearly full of skiers.

All the lifts are running.

One of three avalanche paths. Acres of flattened Aspens.

A couple of mud slides as well.

The drive up to Solitude Ski Area is very different - barely any snow and more colorful formations.

Less snow but the water is running deep and fast along the highway.

Clear views across the valley.

We pick up the rig after paying the huge ransom - glad we got it done but it's painful!

The last 35 miles we drive separately north on Hwy 215 and I-15 to Century RV Park in Ogden. The office is able to extend our time into next week so we can get the slide fixed. Just over a wall from the Interstate it's not a quiet spot. But it's clean and well maintained, there's a patch of grass for Tessa, 50 amp FHUs with open sky for satellite. 

With the slide repair pending we take the risk of putting it out. It goes out without any snags, and It's So Big!! What a difference that two feet makes :-) 

Twice as much room in the kitchen makes a lot of difference!

The last of the rain in the forecast comes through just before dark, we have a light dinner and get to bed early (like we ever stay up "late"). 

Tuesday is full of less-than-enjoyable news. Jeff's car is totaled (it was the perfect car), which means all sorts of hoop jumping to get him wheels. The estimate for the slide repair is not only steep but they can't do the work for 2-3 weeks! That's not going to work for us so more hoop jumping to see what we can make happen down the road. Fingers crossed the slide will come back in without the new parts! 

I have to remember we're healthy, we're safe, we can pay for the repair when we can get it scheduled, and although it's not comfortable we can live with the slide in if we have to. We also didn't pay for the extended days yet so we're not out anything when I cancel. And most important, no one was injured in the accident and Jeff was not at fault.

We've visited Bill's cousin and her family in Ogden on past visits, but this is the first time I know that my own cousin Steve lives in Salt Lake City! Wednesday morning we have a long breakfast at his local cafe and then hang out at his nearby apartment. Our fathers were brothers and he and his brother and I grew up together until middle school. I've seen him twice since then and it was wonderful to get caught up on all the years since the last time in 1999. 

Checking out photos from the "missing years".

Steve and Jodee

Dinner at Rooster Brewery with cousin Penny along with her daughter and her family is delightful. We take our time over yummy eats getting caught up. Can't believe I failed to get a pic :-(. The boys have grown so much and are adorable. 

We had hoped to return to Antelope Island for our last day, but with Tessa's grooming appointment rescheduled to the afternoon and a video appointment with the car insurance company we stick close to home. 

Temps are rising, looks like we'll be moving into the low 80's next week. Next stop, Twin Falls, Idaho!

Reese thinks her Grand Canyon shirt is spiffy!

Oliver enjoying the SoCal warm weather in his Grand Canyon shirt.

Our foster grand-kitty - one of three that Ezra is taking care of with their momma. His parents may be helping a little.