Flagstaff to Long Valley Junction
It was a scenic drive. The roads weren’t unusual, good in some parts and a little rough in others. It was interesting to watch the terrain shift from ponderosa pines to juniper forest and then to Painted Desert. Later Glenn Canyon and Lake Powell were crossed to get to the eye catching vermilion cliffs.
Passing through Navajo country caused us to speculate about their lifestyle. Scattered across miles of landscape were what appeared to be clusters of single and double wide manufactured homes perhaps forming a family compound or sub-tribal group. Since we were traveling on a Sunday, I was pleased to see so many vehicles parked around the churches that dotted the Navajo Nation. There was no shortage of roadside jewelry and pottery vendors.
It is about 40 miles from Kanab, UT, north to Long Valley Junction, UT, a beautiful scenic transition to greener, irrigated farms rising in elevation to 7500 ft. A two-mile (seeming to be much longer) dirt road brought us to Camp Lutherwood.
We are the only people here other than the caretaker. It is sooooooo quite. No trains or trucks to disturb our sleep. We awakened to a beautiful landscape covered with about a half inch of snow which was melted before 10:00 AM. A herd of mule deer came within 50 yards of the rig. I was able to approach to within about 20 yards and take nice pictures. After noon, on our hike, skittish mule deer gave us a wide berth and chipmunks scurried across our path and disappeared under the sage brush. Brightly colored bluebirds took wing to contrast the hillside hues.
At camp Lutherwood, we are 45 miles from Zion Nat’l Park and 35 miles from Bryce Canyon. I think we are well situated to enjoy the week. However, there is no internet and no phone service. We will have to enjoy the solace of isolation, like boondocking with full hookups.
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