Friday, August 16, 2013

Post 7

Well I finally made it back to Memphis after a restful week in SoCal visiting family.  3 days in an RV park across I5 from Disneyland that provided spectacular views of nightly fireworks from my spot.
Michael had a great trip but wanted to spend at least a week with his buds and (girlfriendS) before school started so I acquiesced and sent him home with my wife.  I headed to Williams and stayed in the KOA en route to the Grand Canyon.  I signed up for a semi-private tour of the canyon and it was well worth the money.  My guide was extremely knowledgeable and showed us all the best vantage points on the southern rim.  After two day I set off on I-40 to see the Painted Desert and Petrified Forest NPs.  Santa Rosa, NM was the next stop and I  stayed in the Santa Rosa Lake SP and visited the Blue Hole, Johnny Comet's II cafe and Joseph's Bar and Grill.  Not much else to see in Santa Rosa.  Next I made it to Amarillo and on the advise of a ranger in NM I made my way south to Palo Duro Canyon SP.  Wow, what a impressive site.  I camped deep in the canyon and after exploring I came upon the Pioneer Amphitheater with numerous cars in the parking lot. Not knowing what was going on I parked and entered the gates to find that about 400 people had gathered to watch "Texas the musical" which apparently has been playing for almost 50 years each summer at this location.  With a troupe of over 40 singers and dancers it was a fantastic play set in a large open air stage with the 1000 foot canyon as a backdrop.  Cowboys, cowgirls, horses, trains, and Indians performed for over 2 hours with a rousing patriotic finale.  I thoroughly enjoyed the warm summer evening of good Texas entertainment.  Final stop before making it home was a layover in Eufala SP in OK.  Situated on the largest lake in OK it was a quiet respite after a long drive.  Made it home in time to re-provision and wash clothes for a small Egg Camping Club rally in Fall Creek Falls SP, TN.  Saw some old friends and made some new ones.  3 Casita's and 4 Scamps.  So ends the 7 weeks Great Northwest NP tour of over 8500 miles visiting 10 NPs and numerous SPs.  Truly a great trip in the Egg Bus Express with my buddy Hutch and my grandson Michael.  Some representative pix.
 Grand Canyon
 GC southern rim
 Enjoying the Tour
 Painted Desert
 Blue Hole, Santa Rosa, NM
 Palo Duro Canyon SP
Palo Duro Canyon over 100 miles long
Fall Creek Falls SP, Tn