Rt 95 South Hanksville to Blanding..a Hidden Jewel

I know, I’m almost a week behind…other then very sparse internet, there is no excuse….

©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

So lets pretend its Tuesday 9 Sept….I woke up to a wet muddy campground….hitching up created more mud…when finished I moved the vehicle to a gravel area…and decided to take a shower and rid myself of this “Hanksville Dirt”..

©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

Its now around 1130 and I pull out of the campground on rt 95…its starts to climb…Mmmmm what is this and soon enough I enter the Glen Canyon Red Rock Plateau …its overcast with some drizzle and rain…not good photo ops opportunity,,,but what a GEM…I did not realize that I was going to have  these vistas today…and views they where….when you’re up high and look down into the Canyons, it is a sight to behold….there where several places I had to be in 3rd gear, but Giff took it in stride.

©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

A 120 or so miles later I when down the last rise and unto a plateau, pulling into Blanding…it was early enough and I wasn’t sure where I wanted to send the night..so I kept heading towards Bluff, Utah some 25 miles south…in the direction of Monument Valley…

©2014 Horst Kelly photographer

I arrived in Bluff about the same time a “Torrential Downpour” started. Now  what..Bluff has three or so RV campgrounds, but I really wasn’t in the mood for that..as I drove throw this very poor Hamlet, I noticed a sign for “Sand Island” CG…a BLM sponsored facility…as I pulled off the road and went down a gravel road, I stated questioning my sanity. Its pouring rain with no end in sight and I am sitting on The San Juan River which looks like it could overflow any second. About this time a Ranger drives up…I ask him about flooding..”No way” in our lifetime is his answer…and tells me I have the whole campground to myself if I want it….I thank him, pull around to loop B and as I meandering around I see it…Site 19, right on the river, not much shade, but who cares….its still raining, I back in..decide to spend just one night here and mosey on…I pay my 5 dollars and settle in…

©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

Colorado River

A couple hours of relaxation while listening to the rain hit the roof of Ms Casita, the rain suddenly stops…..going outside I finally realize what a hidden treasure I have found  in this campground…the name sure sounds familiar…and I’m thinking did I read in JerryC’s blog that they stayed here ….Anyway, it appears to be central to most of what I want to see, so I’ve decided to make this my “Headquarters” for several days…at 5 bucks a day….it certainly beats most places…it is something to write home about.

©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

Sooo, the next 3 posts or so are going to be about doing stuff in and around Monument Valley…they will be posted as I can get to them…I apologize for that, but without instant internet, there is no easy solution…

 

©2014Horst Kelly Photographer

Sunset view at my Campsite…Sand Island

Till next time ….Happy trails…Horst sends