The Drive to Gold Canyon

We left on Thursday, March 27th as planned, after shoe-horning in all the stuff we had decided to bring along - three sets of golf clubs and our luggage etc. We were loaded down. The transit of the border went smoothly and we filled the tank in Blaine and bought some water. 750 kilometers and at about 5PM we were in the prairie around Pendleton, Oregon, where we spent the night at the Best Western on the hill. On arriving, we went for a drink at the Red Lion lounge and then enjoyed a good meal at the local restaurant. We hit the sack early and spent a comfortable night. Today we expect to be in Utah. It will be a shorter drive as we are stopping to see some sites...

Day 2 we stopped at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Centre a short drive from Baker City. It was very interesting as it described the hardships of those 100,000 who made the 6 month trip by covered wagon to western Oregon. The centre is located on a spectalular bluff overlooking the valley near Baker City. We shopped there and then had a good lunch at a home style cafe before continuing to Twin Falls. Approaching Twin Falls, we took the alternate scencic route 30 and enjoyed a pleasant end to the days drive. We tried a few inns before deciding again on the Best Western. Our dinner that night was wine, bread, cheese and other snacks. It was plenty after our hearty lunch. A walk and then an early night in bed.


We departed from Twin Falls a little later today. We took the 93 south through the north east corner of Navada and connected to the I80 going into Salt Lake city. Interesting drive with snow to begin with and then good roads all the way to Mormon Central. The distances are vast in Nevada and Utah and we found the salt flats fascinating. We saw the Bonneville Salt Flats and even drove on them. We toured the Mormon Square in Salt Lake City and were greeted by beaming delegates everywhere. A conference was underway when we were there, so lots of activities going on. We drove further south to Nephi before finding another Best Western for the night. Rays was nearby our motel.

Sorry about this layout. Still trying to figure out the controls...

This morning, our fourth day, we woke to snow. Had to clean the car off before loading and getting underway. It took us about an hour of driving to get away from it and finally find some sun. We headed for Bryce Canyon and there enjoyed some spectacular scenery after having a lunch at THE spot, Ruby's. I tried to take a picture of all of us on the timer, but the wind was so strong it blew the camera over - and on to the concrete. Will be shopping for a new camera in Phoenix. Leaving Bryce Canyon, we drove on to Page, AZ. and settled into the Best Western there. The drive there was wonderful with so many beautiful rock and mountainous formations along the way.

We had a wonderful drive down to Flagstaff where we stopped for lunch. Again, beautiful and dramatic landscapes. The trip went smoothly, and we arrived at our destination at abut 3 PM in the afternoon. Some running around with cleaners and the agent, but Sherry was kind enough to let us in a day early, on the 31st of March. We went shopping for groceries and enjoyed a relaxing dinner followed by a walk in the late sunset. It was good to have arrived.

Trip Preliminaries

I have been back and forth with Sherry, our agent at Mountain Brook Village. I have been trying to get broadband or Internet access arranged at the house we are renting. It looks like it is possible, but it may be best to wait until we arrive in case there happens to be a free wifi access point available. Sherry advises that she will contact the owner to see if there is a cable connection that can be used also.

I put a classified ad on the MBV (Mountain Brook Village) website. I would like to get an old bicycle that we can use to get to the club house and back. It's been on the site for a week now, but no bites yet...

I had bought two books about the Superstition Mountains so that we are well informed about the various hikes we can enjoy there. They are packed and I am sure we will find them useful.

I recently found out that Allegiant Air now flies into Phoenix-Mesa. The airport is not far from where we will be living. Not that we expect to need it, but it is good to know the service is available if we do.

I spoke to my brother David today, and he suggested we visit Meteor Crater, just east of Flagstaff. We will certainly be nearby, so if it works out, perhaps we can have a look.

We expect to arrive at MBV on April 1. I just found out that we will be right in the middle of Bike Week. There are lots of events going on, so I expect to have a look at some of them. I have been thinking of renting a bike for a day and driving out to Tortilla Flat for lunch. I have been scouting the rentals, and I will likely go for a Harley Heritage Softail. The road from Apache Junction to Tortilla Flat is made for motorcycling - lots of twisties.

Just got a call from Pete Seidel in MBV. He has a mountain bike for sale. I will contact him at 480-926-2332 when we arrive.

Well, we are down to packing now. Ellen will be here tomorrow and we will be off on Thursday morning. Jette demonstrated the power mower to Laura next door. She and her folks will be keeping an eye on the place and of course Kristina and Erika will drop by now and then also.

Our trip to Arizona, spring 2008.

This is the first time I have created a blog, but I thought it might be something that could be shared with others who are interested in our travels to Arizona in the early spring of 2008.

Jette, Ellen and I plan to set off from Langley on March 27th in the VW Jetta and take about 5 days to get to Gold Canyon (just east of Phoenix) Arizona. Jette and I have made this trip once before with Ellen, but she has made this trip many times, so will be our guide as we visit and re-visit some of the beauty of the US west.

Once we arrive in Gold Canyon, we will take up residence in a two bedroom house we have rented for the month of April. It's in a gated community called Mountain Brook Village and is surrounded by the Mountain Brook Golf Club. Our address in the Village is 7149 E Desert Spoon Lane. See this map. If you are interested in knowing more about Mountain Brook Village, you can visit their web site by clicking here. You can even see pictures of the house we have rented by visiting the sale listing by clicking here. We have been assured that the place won't be sold until after we leave....