Our Best Camping Experience - With New Added Photos

[67avion]

Recently Jane and I traveled to the Overland Expo in Flagstaff from our home in Illinois. We trundled along in our cozy 1967 Avion. After the Expo we decided to look around in Southern Utah. I had traveled through there many years ago - and had a firm memory of Capitol Reef National Monument. We wrote up this trip on the 67Avion thread for our fellow Avionistas.

But, I am still in awe of what we saw and experienced. One day, for no real reason, we drove off of the road just before entering the Moki Dugway in Southern Utah. I wanted to get way off road..and Jane wanted to settle for the evening. Some rain had been predicted.

We-Did-Not-Have-A-Clue-Of-What-Was-At-The-End-Of-The-Road...

It was the most stunning view I have ever seen. Spread in front of us was the hand of Creation. We both sat and stared at the distance where Monument Valley rose and the storms swept the horizon.

The place is called Muley Point. And it turns out that it is relatively well known. But, for us...on that day....it was a revelation.

Here is Jane gazing at the buttes and erosion and river below:



We saw an afternoon storm sweeping across the Valley:



And here is the dawn of the following day with Monument Valley in the distance:



After coming down from Muley Point we encountered another desert storm just after Mexican Hat:



You can get a glimpse of our mood:



Tell us about your best camping experience.

[1stgenfarmboy]

Those are magazine quality photographs there neighbor.

I had to call them photographs, the word pics just don't seem right.


Dar

[Camper_Jeff___K]

Those are a couple heck of a pictures.

[hedge]

beauty, hope to see it some day.

[exhaustipated]

D - You and Jane certainly experienced the most beautiful and awe inspiring views ever put on this Earth. My wife and I experienced the same views on May 6th when we were there after leaving Monument Valley that morning. I just wish that my wife was a better photographer so she could have captured the stunning views like you did. Oh well, I guess that comes with experience. The Moki Dugway and Valley of the Gods were two more great experiences that we enjoyed very much.

[67avion]

Whazoo! I have only been there once. Don't know how you could handle multiple trips without having some sort of psychedlic flash backs. I think I'll wait a while before doing it again.

[whazoo]

How-D! How D ya do that? Been to Muley Point too many times to count but don't have pictures to compare. Those are gorgeous and glad to see you stumbling upon a gem of the southwest. What a great trip for you to remember.

[knshook]

67avion wrote:
What a heartfelt description. I get it. We all want that, but it only happens by accident like our night on Muley Point.

Or am I wrong?

You are so right. C.S Lewis used a phrase in his book, Surprised By Joy,that I've never forgotten "momentary coruscations" that was the thought that came to mind when I first saw your post/photo.

[67avion]

What a heartfelt description. I get it. We all want that, but it only happens by accident like our night on Muley Point.

Or am I wrong?

[knshook]

That picture took my breath away; it was stunning! Thank you so much for posting. As to our favorite camping experience? I would have to say our first trip in our new, to us, 19' Coachmen trailer. That was 25 years ago. My husband & I had decided to quit smoking. A friend had advised us to find something new to do that we didn't identify with smoking-so we bought a small trailer,hooked it up to our van and headed for the N.Ca coast. We had no generator, and because we were newbies to how things operated,we brought candles to save battery power. We had no sooner gotten settled then the heavens opened up with a downpour that lasted all night. We opened the window just far enough to smell the freshness of the rain mixed with salty air,we lit candles,cooked dinner,and ate our first meal as we peered out our window watching waves crashing and listening to the sound of rain pounding on our trailer roof. We couldn't stop smiling,we couldn't imagine that there was anyone in the world who was happier than the two us. Over the past 25 years we have traveled many roads,had many adventures, seen some beautiful country,but nothing will ever compare to that very first night, and 25 years later we are still smoke free!

[profdant139]

Brilliant photos! More, please!!

[bka0721]

D.', I am forever in awe of that country and travel slowly whenever I pass through there. You have captured beautifully the country that is painted with so many colors, that often some call a wasteland. But, D.', don't just stop with this small teaser, show more. Please?

As for my favorite camping experience? Well . . . I will admit I am still enjoying it, as it is the one I am currently on. Everyday brings something else I am awe of, stops me for a moment, validating that what I am doing, is truly what I want to do.

b

[67avion]

fatmanox wrote:
That first picture has to be the greatest picture I have ever seen of the Grand Canyon. It's on my list and I would love to be in that spot!

Thanks for the compliment! However, that is Monument Valley in the distance. The area is called '"Valley of the Gods" with the San Juan River cutting into the canyons below. Come along with us next time and we'll guide you in - but you have to wear polarizing shades. its blinding with beauty.

I'm told that the roads, including the Moki Dugway, were carved out by uranium miners in the 50s. Maybe that's whats going on - all that U238.

[Nemo667]

67avion wrote:

Nemo667 wrote:
was it windy at Muley Point? One of our favorite stops when we are in the area. You can see all the way to Monument Valley at sunrise. Thanks for posting.

Yes, it was quite windy overnight. But the winds died down just after sunrise. I liked the place so much I had three pots of coffee. Heh. I really don't know if I could have taken another day of that view. Aside from the fact that we had to move on...I think it might cause some sort of psychedelic reaction.

It was probably just the coffee and too much fresh air...:B

[fatmanobx]

That first picture has to be the greatest picture I have ever seen of the Grand Canyon. It's on my list and I would love to be in that spot!

[67avion]

Nemo667 wrote:
was it windy at Muley Point? One of our favorite stops when we are in the area. You can see all the way to Monument Valley at sunrise. Thanks for posting.

Yes, it was quite windy overnight. But the winds died down just after sunrise. I liked the place so much I had three pots of coffee. Heh. I really don't know if I could have taken another day of that view. Aside from the fact that we had to move on...I think it might cause some sort of psychedelic reaction.