Author: Steve

Driving west from Green River, Utah.  A hundred miles of desolation.  No food.  No water.  No fuel.  No nothing.  Except scenery.  This was always a highlight of our spring break trips with the kids.  If we were heading west, first night at Green River State Park, and the next morning off across the Badlands, stopping at every viewpoint along the way.  The San Rafael Swell, an ancient uplift creating and exposing geological wonders.

2026 Summer Trip Map

Ensconced for the night at a wonderful KOA in Fillmore, Utah.  Quiet.  Private.  Shady.  Grassy.

from Colorado through the rich red rock formations of Utah.

The welcome soft green grass and shade of Green River State Park for the night.

2026 Summer Trip Map

A late start.  A short day.  Another state.

Cortez.  Southwestern Colorado for the night.

2026 Summer Trip Map

This used to be a KOA.  Fifteen or twenty years ago we stayed here so often, we would be greeted like family when we drove in.  Mom, Dad, and two sons running the place.  We’d announce “It’s good to be home.”

That was then.  The family we enjoyed so much sold it and moved on.  It’s no longer a KOA.  It’s no longer tip-top.  It’s still in a beautiful setting though.

Cooler weather.  The low last night was 36 degrees.  We turned on the space heater and stayed toasty all night.

2026 Summer Trip Map

Tonight, the camping gods smiled upon us.  Navajo Lake State Park.  Cottonwood Campground.

About as nice a spot as we have ever been in.

Entertained a visitor at our site.

And encountered a Bull Snake.

They kind of like to pretend they’re rattlesnakes, but they’re harmless.  As boy scouts, we would find them along the trail, carry them for a while, then put them back down.

Lunch with the Albuquerque crew.

That was fun.  Haven’t done this in several years.

Then off down the highway for a hundred miles to Bluewater Lake State Park.

2026 Summer Trip Map

Pinon Juniper habitat.  This would be the Pinon Pine part.

Evening light.