After three glorious days of living on the edge, we moved a few miles up the road to Bluff where we could have full hook-ups for a couple of days. It’s amazing how three days of boondocking causes us to have such appreciation for water and electricity. We plugged in all the things and washed everything whether it needed it or not.
Our campsite at Cottonwood in Bluff.
There was a dramatic storm the first night.
The tiny town of Bluff surprised us. There is a really nice Pioneer museum and a four-star restaurant, Comb Ridge Espresso Bistro, recommended by Clarke, which of course we had to try.
Replicas of times past at the Pioneer Museum.
Each cabin had a different theme inside.
Steven and I don’t eat out all that much during our travels, as we prefer to cook at home. So when we do go out, it’s either for pure convenience, like at the end of a long travel day, or when a local restaurant catches our eye and seems worth visiting. Comb Ridge fell into that last category. They are only open for breakfast and dinner, and we opted for the latter meal. It was outstanding!
Such a nice atmosphere at Comb Ridge Bistro.
Food was delicious with excellent presentation.
Since leaving the ranch, we’ve pretty much just been winging it on campground stays. We made no reservations until the day before, or maybe even the day of, arrival in a location. The only time this didn’t work out for us thus far was in Moab, where we intended to stay for a week, but could only secure our spot for four days. Apparently there was some big car thing going on in town. We decided four days would have to do us, because the idea of closing up just to move to a new site or campground is very unappealing. Like, if I go to all the trouble to pack everything up, I want to hit the road!
Waiting to check in at our campground in Moab.
With Moab as basecamp, there is a ton of stuff to do and see. We could spend a whole season in Moab and still just scratch the surface. With our time there limited, we accepted that we had to narrow our focus to just a couple of places. And let’s face it, Utah is a photographer’s dream, so it really was up to Steven to chose what he wanted to do. He picked Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. We also made a drive into Dead Horse State Park, but we really didn’t stay long.
Landscape Arch at Arches National Park.
Sunrise at Canyonlands.
Lots of photographers lined up at Mesa Arch.
This is the final shot. The sun rises right through.
After the Mesa shoot. Note the big tour bus.
Toadie poses for one last photo at Arches NP.
Steven put together larger collection of the images he shot at Arches National Park. You can give it a look by clicking on the image below. Also, for those of you who are interested in Steven’s process of creating the Mesa Arch sunrise photograph, you can read the behind-the-scenes story.
On our first trip into Canyonlands N.P., we drove to Grand View Point Overlook, which by the way was spectacular. But no sooner had we parked and began walking to the edge, a couple walked by us and I noticed the man starring at Steven. It took a few seconds to click, but I realized we had just run into my cousin Scott Burrows and his wife Kristen! What a shock that was! We had just seen them at Thanksgiving at the ranch, but honestly, if we hadn’t just seen them, I have no doubt we would have walked right by each other none the wiser. How weird is that?
Linda’s office at Canyonlands State Park.
During our scout before the Mesa Arch sunrise.
Anyway, when they were at the ranch, Scott and Kris were in a toyhauler. In Moab, they were in their new-to-them Newmar Mountain Aire, and they were boondocking just south of town! We made plans to join them for dinner the following evening. What a joy it has been reconnecting with my cousin!
Steven, Linda, Kris and Scotty at Canyonlands.
Scotty and Kris boondocking with the new rig.
Our four days in Moab flew by, but as usual, I was rarin’ to go. Even though Departure Day is also Arrival Day, I always say my favorite day is Departure Day. There’s just something about hitting the open road that appeals to me, no matter how wonderful the place we are leaving behind.
We had an uneventful drive to Ogden, UT, where we stayed in our first ever Mobile Home Park. We were in Ogden to visit my cousin, Sherrie, and this was the closest place to her home, so it worked out well. The price was right and the views of the Wasatch Mountains were spectacular! We intended to stay three days, but due to rain, we ended up staying five.
Our spectacular view in Ogden, UT.
Our next destination was a familiar one, yet it turned out to be a total surprise – the glorious Teton Valley.
UP NEXT: Teton Valley Paradise
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Always fun to find an excellent restaurant in little places 🙂 Can't believe you just happened to be on the same trail at the same time as your cousin!! What are the chances…….? Looks like you made the most of a few short stops. We are excited for our first real departure day on Tuesday!!!!
Got a kick out of your comments about Departure Day (or what I used to call moving day). You echoed my sentiments exactly. No matter how much fun you are having, there's nothing like the excitement of the new next place.
A great place to visit, thanks fro sharing.