Fall 2019 - Mobile Cabin I
October 24 - 30, 2019
We Drive West
Thursday, 10.24.2019
Woke up at 0430 to head southwest for our first destination: Golden, Colorado. Several bathroom + gas breaks for the 15+ hour drive, got us there at 2030. Tokyo Joe's to-go at Cannonball Brewery, saw 20+ elk cross on Hwy 6/6th Ave, then crawled in back for our first night at freezing temperatures (28F) in the van.
Must've just missed a snowstorm here on the Front Range!
Not much for pictures through MN, IA, NE and eastern CO... here is the start of our day, and the end of our day.
Friday, 10.25.2019
Early morning to head on I-70 through the Rockies. Bluebird day with snow-covered mountains all around. Quick stop in Glenwood Springs, lunch on the go, to arrive in Moab, UT, by 1400. People and jeepers everywhere!
Went straight to the trailhead for Hymasa/Capt Ahab. Perfect 65F (felt like 75F), clear blue day for an afternoon ride. Amazing trails, spectacular views!
Back to town, quick shower at Poison Spider, then grabbed some grub at the food truck park.
Back in the van, headed south then west toward Natural Bridges National Monument for the night. Camped in Bears Ears under the Dark Sky designated area on a moonless night.
Saturday, 10.26.2019
Breakfast at camp was egg-celent. Drove to the Visitor Center to chat with a ranger, watch the educational video about the Monument. Then, set out for a 6-mile hike under the Natural Bridges! It was beautiful! And, another cloudless, bluebird, desert day.
We drove up toward Bears Ears; crazy narrow, windy gravel road up, up and up! Had lunch at an awesome overlook. Best lunch spot ever!
Headed back down, then south to Muley Point for a camping spot and sunset views. Truly breathtaking! The sunset never quit! Can see Gooseneck State Park, Monument Valley and Navajo Mountain in panoramic views.
Quick corn chowder for dinner as the stars came out. Sat at watched the shooting stars and milky way; another clear, moonless night!
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| Cooking breakfast at our awesome, primitive campsite. |
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| View from our campsite! |
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| Sipapu Bridge |
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| Kachina Bridge |
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| Owachomo Bridge |
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| Bears Ears National Monument in the distance |
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| Lunch with a helluva view |
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| Our camping spot for the night: Muley Point! |
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| Monument Valley in the distance |
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| Muley Point at sunset = breathtaking! |
Sunday, 10.27.2019
Tasty breakfast at sunrise on Muley Point. Then, experienced a drive down the Moki Dugway! Crazy, cool.
Took the 17-mile scenic, gravel road route through Valley of the Gods. Stopped at Mexican Hat Rock. Made our way then to Monument Valley! Learned about Navajo Code Talkers. Did the Valley Loop drive - wind picking up like crazy.
Headed southwest toward Flagstaff. Soooo windy, with red dirt/dust blowing across the roads! Looked almost foggy in the distance because of the dirt! Other than the wind, pretty uneventful drive.
Drove into the mountains of Flagstaff, beer at Mother Road brewery + super delicious salad and pizza from Pizzicletta. Walked about the cute town. Then, up to find a spot to sleep in the Coconino National Forest. Snow expected tonight!
Confusion about the time zone? Time of day?
Woke up to pee around 0100 to pebbles of snow flaking the ground.
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| Breakfast before sunrise. |
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| Sunrise at Muley Point. |
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| Dusty takes on the Moki Dugway - graded dirt switchback road! |
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| Valley of the Gods |
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| Mexican Hat! |
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| Road to Monument Valley |
Monday, 10.28.2019
Woke up in the mountain air, and temps of 24 degrees! Had hoped to ride Schultz Pass trails, but the high temp of 44 wasn't until this afternoon, so we called that plan.
Breakfast at Brandy's cafe, walk about the streets, then pastry at Single Speed coffee. Adorable town!
Hopped in the van to make our way to Sedona! Crazy gorgeous drive from Flagstaff to Sedona! Fall colors of trees, canyons, mountains, red rocks, rivers... all of it!
Sedona is quite touristy, but for damn good reason - it's spectacular. Rode Chuckwagon+Mescal+Long Canyon. Great desert ride with awesome views!
Stopped at Over the Edge bike shop. Walked about Uptown, bought a few things at Earthworks; beer and soda at Sedona Beer Co. Then, burgers at Open Range. Drove up FR525 to find a spot for the night. Another clear sky for a night under the stars and Milky Way!
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| One beer, one flavored soda water |
Tuesday, 10.29.2019
Beautiful morning eating oatmeal in the van in our new mugs! Delicious. Then, quick stop at UPS store to print our parking confirmation for the airport and a few Sedonuts.
Drove by Chapel of the Holy Cross - pretty cool looking. Then, hit the mtb trails of that area for a big loop (parked at Yavapai Point): Slim Shady, Easy Breezy, Broken Arrow Trail -- to Chicken Point lookout (gorgeous!!) -- Little Horse Trail, etc.
Lunch in the van at the trailhead. Then, one last ride: Hiline Trail.
Post-ride brews at Oak Creek Brewery; plus, an amazing tamale. Dinner at Tortas de Fuego. Packed up for our last night of the trip.
We bought some fun mugs and this rad journal in Sedona
Wednesday, 10.30.2019
Up early to head toward Phoenix to park our van and for our flight home. Amazing breakfast burritos at Gabriela's + the world's largest Kokopelli.
