We left Zion National Park on Sunday at just before 8:00am, heading for Kodachrome Basin State Park. We had to go through a 1.1 mile (1.8 km) long tunnel, and because we are wider than 7'6", we had to buy a tunnel pass for $15 USD (19 CAD) and they close the tunnel to opposing traffic so that we drive right through the middle. The tunnel only opens at 8:00am.
There was surprisingly little traffic.
Took a few pictures on the switchbacks leading up to the tunnel itself. More beautiful Zion scenery.
Sherman enjoys this scenery!
He looks good in the mountains, doesn't he?
The road below that we had already driven up.
This is our first time in Utah, and there is a lot of beautiful scenery. So many areas where we want to stop and explore, so it's a bit frustrating knowing that we don't have much time. We had to purposely drive right by the entrance to Bryce Canyon National Park. It'll have to wait for another time, as will many areas of the state on this trip through. We want to be back in Canada April 29th, so when we're finished at Kodachrome Basin we'll be driving pretty much every day.
Entering the tunnel.
Inside the tunnel. Sherman had the road to himself!
Coming out the other side.
We passed through a few small towns on our way from Zion to Kodachrome Basin State Park, but couldn't find an open store. We really didn't need much, but we wanted to pick up some snack food. Maybe it's a Utah law or something regarding Sunday shopping, but everything, including many gas stations along the way, seemed to be closed.
East of Zion on highway #9.
Great scenery.
We could spend a lot of time here!
Sherman, at Red Canyon, Highway 12.
We stopped for a quick half hour hike. That's Ruth down there!
What a neat spot.
Made it to Kodachrome Basin State Park at around 2:00pm. It's supposed to be a 3:00pm check in time, but they sent us right to our site. This park is very popular, and there are only 32 campsites so we had made a reservation over a month ago. First time in almost 8 years of RV'ing that we have ever made a campground reservation!
We made a reservation here because I found out that we were crossing paths with an uncle of mine. My dad's youngest brother and his wife were going to be here this week, so we wanted to meet up with them. We're only here for Sunday night and Monday night, and then Tuesday we need to start putting some miles on towards Canada.
Another little tunnel.
Our site at Kodachrome Basin State Park.
That's an interesting rock formation that we view from our site!
That gives us 8 days to get to Canada. We're heading up through Yellowstone National Park in western Wyoming. Also, I've ordered a new fresh water pump for Sherman, and we'll be picking it up on our way through Jackson, Wyoming. We're going to do the entire drive without getting on an Interstate highway!
91 miles (146 kms) from Zion National Park to Kodachrome Basin State Park.
Met up with my Uncle Dave and Aunt Melissa for dinner, along with her sister Jeanette, and Jeanette's husband Bruce. Jeanette and Bruce are currently on a full time journey in their fifth wheel, exploring the U.S. and Canada. So there was no shortage of conversation regarding travel and RV'ing.
Today (Monday), we're doing a hike on the "Panorama Trail", so I'm expecting we'll get some more great photos of this part of Utah for you in the next blog post.
No time to find you a deal on Amazon, so you'll have to search for yourself today...
Click here to see today's deals at Amazon.com - USA
Click here to see today's deals at Amazon.ca - Canada
Awesome scenery, we hop to explore that area sometime soon too.
ReplyDeleteI hope that you can George, you won't regret it!
DeleteYou guys take the most incredible photos! Besides your obvious talent, what kind of camera do you use? (if you don't mind sharing). I look forward to your photos and blog every day. Thanks for sharing your adventures!
ReplyDeleteThe majority of the pictures on the blog are taken with Kevin's camera which is a Nikon P520. So glad that you are enjoying our blog, pictures and our adventures, and thank you Lori for taking the time to comment.
DeleteFrom what I understand, Utah is very Morman. Perhaps that is why so many store closures on Sunday.
ReplyDeleteThat is what we were thinking too!
DeleteOh man, that tunnel would make me nervous. I'd happily part with the fifteen bucks, knowing there would be nobody coming.
ReplyDeleteIt was cheaper to pay the $15 than to drive all the way around and also saving us lots of time, plus the scenery on the other side was fantastic as well.
DeleteThere are some roads in Yellowstone that may not be open yet. I worked there last year. Check the website they have a number to call for road conditions.
ReplyDeleteI had also mentioned this to Kevin when I noticed on the map that it said entrance was closed for the winter, but didn't know what the dates were. Thanks for reminding us to look that up, we have now re adjusted our route to enter from the West Entrance.
DeleteUtah has some beautiful scenery and places to see, hope you'll be able to make a return trip.
ReplyDeleteGuaranteed, we will be returning. Really wish we had more time to see this amazing scenery and hike the trails this trip but we don't! Can't wait to come back when we will have more time to explore.
DeleteWe have driven past there a couple of times. Time to stop and explore!
ReplyDeleteHighly recommend you stop next time you are through this area, it is breathtaking.
DeleteGreat pic of Sherman!
ReplyDeleteThanks Chris!
DeleteChris travels on youtube has just gone through that same tunnel in his motorhome - Chris & G also had the tunnel to themselves and had the video on - interesting ......I think they are traveling to Alaska?
ReplyDeleteIf you have a vehicle that this bigger than 7' 10" in width and/or 11' 4" height, which is most RV's then they block the opposing traffic so you have the tunnel to yourself because you have no choice but to drive down the center of the tunnel. We met the height but not the width restriction.
DeleteWe will have to check out Chris and G's website.
I also wondered about the Mormon aspect!
ReplyDeleteFrom the research I have done it looks like most small town stores close on Sundays, part of that might be because they are Mormon and part might be that there is not enough business to warrant being open. Big chain stores in larger towns are open on Sundays.
DeleteStunning, that all I have to say!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Shelagh!
DeleteYour Utah photos are amazing - so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteConnie in PA
Thank you Connie and Barry!
Deletewe love that state park but hate that we can't get any verizon signal there for wifi or hone service
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a beautiful park but because it is in a basin there seems to be no way to get a cell signal there. Not sure if they are able to get some kind of internet at the office but if they do, they certainly don't have an open wifi signal for the campers.
DeleteBeen through those tunnels several times in my semi when we lived there. Right down the center yellow lines! What a shame you didn't pull into Bryce. So different from other places you've been.
ReplyDeleteWe will hit Bryce the next time we are in the area. It is certainly high on our list of places to visit here but we want to make sure we have lots of time so that we can see as much of it as we can and plan on doing lots of hikes there.
DeleteHaving worked in that Bryce area for five years we could fill you in on the "Mormon aspect". Five years was about 4 too many because of that. Strange group of people.
ReplyDeleteSo far everyone we have met here in Utah have been warm and welcoming to us.
DeleteWhat a beautiful place. I so wish you had more time to explore so I could enjoy it through you! I guess we'll just have to see it for ourselves some year. Maybe we'll see you there! Grace (in Tucson)
ReplyDeleteThat would be a great idea, to meet up here and explore Utah together, we would have a blast! :-)
DeleteThe picture of willie rock is awesome!
ReplyDeleteThat's a good descriptive name for that pillar/rock formation! ;-)
DeleteGreat Pics. I recall one of them from our trip! Just curious did you guys get any cell signal there? Just checking in case we head back.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a "cell" phone as such and we hadn't paid for a package on our Verizon JetPack for the two weeks that we were going to be in the States before going back into Canada so we can't tell you firsthand whether there was a cell signal or not but from the notice you get when you enter the park and from hearing other campers talk, no, there is still no cell service there.
DeleteBeautiful place! Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome, it was our pleasure! :-)
Delete