Headed south on HWY 93 from Ely en route to St. George, UT.  The landscape consists mainly of rolling hills, juniper brush, and scrubby pines.  We met few cars, passing through quiet ranching towns like Pioche, Panaca, then on 319 to Uvada, Modena and eventually through the Dixie National Forest into St. George.  Finding a good cup of java was impossible.  This is Mormon country and coffee must be one of the elixirs of the devil.  We headed for Camping World to purchase a few RV essentials and then checked into Temple View RV Park with the local LDS temple visible in the distance in its alabaster splendor.

I've included a few photos of the interior of the Arcic Fox, our penthouse on wheels.  Tomorrow we head to Kanab and investigate whether the North Rim of the Grand Canyon is accessible.  After traveling for most of the last few days, we're hoping to spend a few days in one place.   Now we just have to decide which place that will be--maybe Kanab, maybe Monument Valley.  This is supposed to be relaxing, but so far we have been working way too hard.

After crossing Nevada via the "loneliest highway in America," we can attest to its bleakness; but, in fairness, it has a somewhat austere beauty which many have appreciated and noted.  We made a few stops along the way which is a characteristic of the way we travel: stretch, find the restroom, look for good coffee, etc.  I've included one picture of Austin, a town that was founded by a pony express rider who filed a silver claim in 1983 after discovering a rich vein nearby.  Thousands were soon to follow, and the town boasted a population of 50, 000 during its hayday.  It is also claimed that more than 50 million in silver was mined during its production years. Today around 4,000 live in the larger metro area, and they pride themselves in being "very independent," according to the local Austin flyer.

As a sidebar, I should give a brief review of the Ford 250 Super Duty Lariat Diesel 6.7 and the Arctic Fox 22 GQ.  Well, as a general caveat:  This is not an economy vehicle.  Pulling the 7,500 pound trailer, we have been averaging 12 mpg.  However, we have learned to rationalize and are beginning to forgive its thirst.  As for performance, it more than makes up for its excessive drinking habit.  The Ford is a pleasure to drive: very powerful, very comfortable, very smooth. We are very happy with our choice of truck.   As for the Arctic Fox, after enjoying the coziness of the Sprinter Van, we are luxuriating in the roominess of the Fox.  I will send interior pics in a later post.

Traversed the Sierras on Sunday, climbing up HWY 50 through Placerville then around the east rim of always beautiful Lake Tahoe and over the Spooner Summit to Carson City.  We stayed at the Comstock RV Park near Bodine's Casino.  The weather was balmy in the afternoon (around mid-60's) then turned chilly (30) and breezy in the evening.  We gave the obligatory offering to the electronic "one-armed bandits" then tucked in early in our cozy Fox.  Looking forward to the drive along HWY 50 on Monday--the "lonliest road in America," which parallels roughly the Pony Express route.

Spent Friday evening and Saturday at Utterly Blessed Farm in Lower Lake.  This is our daughter and son-in-law's home and Dwarf Nigerian Goat farm where they currently have about 19 baby goats, four bucks, and about ten milking moms!  On Saturday we attended Paula's sister's 50th wedding anniversary celebration in Santa Rosa.  There were about 60 friends and relatives in attendance.  Tomorrow, Sunday, we begin the actual adventurous shake-down cruise when we travel up HWY 50 to Lake Tahoe and Carson City where we will spend Sunday night.  From there we head east across Nevada and spend Monday night in Ely.

The Crazy Chicken Lady

We will be starting our shake-down cruise in our new truck (Ford 250 Super Duty Diesel) and travel trailer (Arctic Fox 22GQ) on March 22.  The first leg of the journey is a trip south on HWY 101 to our daughter's house in Lower Lake.  We will be attending the 50th wedding anniversary celebration for Paula's sister Bobbie and her husband Reiner in Santa Rosa on Saturday the 23rd. Then we'll return to Utterly Blessed Farm for the night and leave for our Southwest 2013 foray the next morning.  First stop is Carson City, NV.  Stay tuned for more updates and pictures.