Winter Camping in Utah

Exploring in Southern Utah, Muley Point Keyhole

Owning a travel trailer has extended my camping to 4 seasons.

There have only been a few weekends since the winter began that I've missed camping out in Utah.  Although the nights can be cold, and it's a bit more of a challenge to star gaze, having a camper with a heater makes all the difference.  I keep my Sunline Saturn at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park in Bluff, Utah.  Driving out to my "second home" from Durango is easy, just a little over two hours.

Renovating the Awning.  It was funky, so I removed it.

The campground is not too busy in the winter, and my favorite site is very private, south facing, and great for campfires and the dark night sky.  Diana and Tim, the owners of Cadillac Ranch are becoming fast friends, and I enjoy chatting with them when not in my "private", solo, mood.  I bring a bike, and enjoy a ride around town, or just take it for a drive, and don't use it at all!

I removed one of the bunk cabinet doors and installed blackboard.  Artist in Residence.

From my base camp in Bluff, I drove each day to a nearby trailhead for some photography and watched rocks grow old.  Within 5 miles of camp are some of the most awesome landscapes and Ancient Puebloan ruins around.  Folks travel from all over the world to visit Valley of the Gods, the Moqui Dugway, Muley Point and Monument Valley.

Just a few miles from camp, Comb Ridge is a 75 mile long "snake".
The hike up to this big view takes about an hour, and although there is
no designated trail, exploration is endless.

The First Few Months with my new (to me) Travel Trailer

The First Year

A friend of mine bought this camper, she got it from a friend of hers.  But once she brought it home, realized that she had the cart before the horse and wasn't sure it was right for her.  I knew it was right for me.  I had long ago decided that a small travel trailer would work.  I could tow it to places I love, near and far, and then head out, whether by bike, on foot or using my car, for photography and fun.

Once I bought my Sunline Saturn, I began a search online for support and ran into the great, helpful, friendly folks at the Sunline Owner's Club. Another example of putting the cart before the horse, but a girls gotta do what she's gotta do!

The Sunline travel trailers are no longer produced, but as luck would have it I was able to download lots of information and ask questions in the forums.  Props to the guys and gals at sunlineclub.com

These folks helped me so much. They taught me to understand the weight issues involved in towing, the safety procedures for travel, and lots more.  When I ask a question in the forums, I rarely wait more than a day for answers and suggestions.  My Saturn is 18.5 feet, lightweight, and can be towed by my Jeep Grand Cherokee V8, 4.7 liter.  The Jeep came with the tow package as well as an upgrade to the cooling system.

Another invaluable resource for learning has been staying at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park in Bluff, Utah.  Tim and Diana are wonderful, friendly, helpful hosts.  I have been able to leave my camper parked on their land (they have a bit of a farm with goats and an Emu named Elvis) and a pond with a huge gathering of geese and ducks, perfect for morning coffee.  They have full hook up sites, and a few spaces for boon docking too, a hot showers are open 24/7.  Tim taught me how to use the sewer hoses and to dump grey and black water onsite and to hook up water and electric too.  He even gave me a few items I needed to connect hoses safely.  Recently, he helped me to check out my awning, and suggested I put a coat of waterproofing on the roof.

I can't say enough about how helpful these new friends have been.  And they are great resources for local knowledge of Anasazi sites and little known roads too.

My Rig, Cherry my jeep, and Saturn, my camper

First, practice towing and turning.  I recruited a friend with experience in his 32 foot Travel Trailer to teach me the ropes.  He was a patient teacher, assigning turns, figure eights and taught me how to back up.  Priceless.

Learning to tow and turn in an empty parking lot, March 2013

Places I've been in 2013

Valley of the Gods, Utah, Boondocking, March 2013








Sand Island Recreation Area, Utah, April 2013






Valley of the Gods, Utah, Boondocking, April 2013








My secret place, Utah, Boondocking, I've taken my rig here many times since March of 2013








Scouting Fall Colors in the San Juan Mountains, Colorado, Boondocking, September 2013

Lime Creek, Between Durango and Silverton, Colorado, Dry Camping, Sept. 2013

Durango, Colorado camping, full hookups, my most expensive night, so I could dump and empty the water, and winterize.  The temps were predicted to hit the low 20s.

Wahweap Campground, on the way to Zion, late October, 2013

On the way to Zion, Kanab Ranger Station

Under the Watchman, Zion National Park, so far my farthest tow and camping trip with Cherry and Saturn.  In the spring of 2013, I drove my jeep out to California, 1500 miles to go photograph the big trees in Jedediah Smith State Park.  I didn't take the camper, so the Zion Trip was my "maiden", far from home, camping trip.  Loved it.  Especially loved returning to my camper each night, my warm, cozy home away from home.  In 2011, I car camped and was very chilly at night, and this time, even though the weather was colder and rainier, I was safe, and comfy.

Zion National Park, Fall 2013

Ask the right questions before buying your RV, Travel Trailer, Camper; YOUR Rig!

There are advantages and disadvantages for each of these selections.  I looked over a bunch of ideas before settling on my Cherry Baby and Sunline Saturn.   

My most important consideration: Do I want to park the camper, unhook, and drive to other locations?  You bet I do.  I'm a photographer, and "chasing the light" is my favorite sport.  Above image taken at camp, Valley of the Gods, Utah, Spring 2013.  I do bring a bike, and ride it every day, but sometimes the location I chose is a bit far and the camera gear can be heavy.  I tend to prefer dry camping, toting my water, and running electric from my deep cell battery and trickle charging from my solar panel. It's just how I roll.

Ask yourself:

• How many campers will normally sleep and eat in your camper, often my friends meet me and bring their tents, and we share cooking outdoors if the weather holds.  My camper has a permanent full sized bed, and the kitchen table folds down for guests, a bit wider than a twin.

• I know from experience that I use the outdoors a lot, as an extension to my living space. I use a picnic table and fire ring as my dining and living room, and I bring along comfortable camp chairs, as I cannot spend a weekend sitting on a rock, or in my crazy creek.  A good folding chair is essential gear. (more of that list on another blog)
• Even in my current set up, when the kitchen table is used as the second bed, I like the bedding stowed early in the day, so I can enjoy the space, and set up my art supplies to hang out too.

• It's important to ask about leaving camp to go anywhere, once the truck, trailer, RV is leveled.  Most folks bring bikes, scooters, etc.
• How long do you plan to be out camping?  
• On average, in the first year of towing my Saturn, I stay out for long 3 night weekends, and so far, one, two week trip to Zion, from Durango.

• How much money do you have to spend on a rig?  
• What do you want to bring with you?  
• I load up on camera gear, my bike, art supplies, tripods, etc. And soon I hope to add a telescope for dark sky star viewing.
• Because my Tow Vehicle is a Grand Cherokee, I am sometimes close to the maximum tow weight, so I pack light, even looking at light weight cooking pots and pans.
• And lastly, but very important to me, is that there is a user group online who are the sunline owners, and whenever I have a question, I rarely wait 24 hours for those folks to respond, and they sure are helpful.  
• Do you plan to dry camp often, or predominantly at campgrounds. 
• Do you prefer hooking up to electric, sewer, water when available.

The main thing is that I kept at it, learning as much as I could, before a friend dropped the "just right for Kit" rig in my lap.

RV

Used to describe a rig you drive, and can hop in the back anytime for lunch, potty break, use your imagination.  When you see these coaches on the road, they often have their cars trailing behind, sometimes called a "dinghy" or a tow behind.  These also come in small, medium and large, and the big "coaches".

• Class A
• Class B
• Class B+
• Class C

Travel Trailer

Describes a camper that you tow behind your car, truck (called the tow vehicle).  These campers come in small, medium, large, extra large and 5th wheel.

• Airstream is the class aluminum brand
• Casita is a premium brand
• Today's all aluminum brands include Camplite, Avian and a host of others
• Pay attention to the maximum weight your tow vehicle can handle safely.
• Be sure to add trailer brakes and weight distribution hitch if needed.
• Google aluminum travel trailer and have fun

Truck Bed Camper

This sweet rig comes in all shapes and sizes (google truck bed camper).  Some pop up, some have slide outs, some fit right up to the back of your truck bed, some hang beyond.  A lot of the beds in the truck bed camper fit over the truck cab, and the interiors range from rigs with dining rooms, bathrooms, good sized kitchens.  The main questions for selection include:  How many campers can you comfortably live with and share the space.

more to come.

Step One - Don't put the Cart before the Horse

So you want to get off the ground.  

I like to drive my 4wd vehicles to high altitude in Colorado.  My favorite locations are often basin's above 11,000 feet where I can make photos as the light sweetens, early and late in the day.  Thanks to the gold and silver miners of the 19th century, terrific roads make the high country accessible.  And when I travel, and camp, I like to explore the area thoroughly.  As a photographer, I like to scout first, and then pick the "right time" "right place" to set up my tripod.

So here are a few reasons I wanted to get a camper.

1. To get off the ground.  I know how and love to backpack, day hike, camp over multiple days and explore, but I'd like to sleep in a warm bed sometimes
2. To lighten the load.  Backpacking with 45 lbs of gear, and with added camera gear, lenses and other electronics adds up.  In 2012, I did an awesome 5 day backpack to the Weminuche Wilderness, and friends helped me carry my gear.  In 2011, I carried it all.
3. To be able to recharge my batteries, literally and figuratively.
4. Access to my "stuff" at the end of a long day in the high country.
5. Food stays in the camper, so I just carry snacks, and attract fewer critters, and of course, it's nice not to have to hang my food, and toiletries.
6. A heater to extend the seasons.  I own lots of down, for backpacking, and for day hiking and camping, but I mean a heater…you know, for 4am when it's really freezing.

A list of questions I asked myself when deciding what kind of camper included the following:

1. How important is it to leave your camper onsite and go explore.
2. Do you have a tow vehicle. (hence, the cart before the horse)
3. How much weight can you tow.
4. Would you prefer an "all in one" camper
5. Do you want one that fits on your truck, do you even have a truck?
6. Will you move often or stay in one place for a period of time?
7. What's your style?  Do you prefer pulling over and hopping in the back for lunch?  Potty break?
8. Will you have an extra vehicle for exploring?  bike? car? scooter? skateboard?

Before moving out west, I spent a summer on a solo road trip from New Jersey to Maine (where I taught a summer class in Photography), then headed up to Northern Vermont, Canada, crossed back at Sou St. Marie, then headed to eastern Wyoming (Wowoming), up to the Wind River Range, on to the Grand Tetons, down to Dinosaur National Monument, to Moab, Southern Utah into New Mexico and looped back home.  I drove a Grand Caravan and loved it.  My kayak was always with me, as was my camp kitchen, tent, and car camping supplies.

A year later I bought a conversion van, and boy/girl was I surprised at the difference in what it cost me to do another big road trip.  The 8 cylinder engine kicked butt on the uphills but also ate gas for lunch.  And at that time, I wasn't alone and the passengers included a friend and her dog.  What a surprise at how crowded the van was too.  Duh.

So, I decided that I really wanted an RV; bigger than a breadbox, bed over the cab, rear table and room for three.  I never asked the right questions, and didn't like that I needed to bike/walk/hike everywhere once I was "leveled" at the campsite.  And the cost of travel, with the engine built into the RV and it's old school problems, got to me.  I sold it after 3 months of not so much play.

Fast forward to asking the right questions.  Next blog…answers and decisions

This is what fell in my lap.

Get Out and STAY Out with Your Camera and Your Camper

First Camp at Valley of the Gods, my new Rig.

My father loves to say Get Out and STAY Out.  I'm the second oldest of seven children and when we were young it was a running joke.  Of course he wanted us to Get Out…for a bit of peace and quiet.  I love that man.

Well, I think I learned to do so.  This year alone I traveled to six National Parks, Arches, Canyonlands, Redwoods, Yosemite, Zion and Capitol Reef.  Most of my trips out west are based in Durango Colorado, so I also Get Out and STAY Out in the Weminuche Wilderness, the San Juan National Forest, in Colorado,  the Canyon of the Ancients National Monument, and Grand Gulch Wilderness Study area in Utah.  In the spring of 2013 I bought a travel trailer, an 18 foot trailer, I love it, so most long weekends I can be found in and around my favorite places, teaching photo workshops, and Chasing the Light of the Western United States and Beyond.  I park my camper at some amazing places, hike or bike or drive to locations I love, meet students in the field and back in my studio in Durango.  The camper allows me to charge my batteries each night, to connect my solar panel for boon docking, and to rest in a nice, warm, space.

The emphasis over the past two years has been the National Parks.  For years (13) I had a dog, Zazi, my black lab, she was my constant companion and hero.  I mostly photographed, backpacked and hiked with her in wilderness areas that allow dogs.  Since her passing I am on the mission to see and photograph all I can in our National Parks.  I will get another companion, but am taking some time.

This blog is to tell the story about photography, travel and preparation for the next stage of my life.  I'm 60 years old. I was a teacher at Bayonne High School in New Jersey for 21 years, followed by the last 18 years of building my art and photography business in Durango, Colorado.  I love to teach and currently I teach students of all ages to make art, and to learn digital photography.  Many of my students come to my studio for private lessons on using their digital cameras properly.  And a great deal of my time is spent on Photography Adventures, teaching participants to use their digital and film cameras to capture grand and intimate landscapes.  In April of 2013, we took a group of students to Monument Valley, and I taught lessons in composition, dealing with wind, capturing scenes in the right light, right place, right time of day.  June usually finds a group of us along the waterfalls in the San Juan Mountains, where I teach the proper use of shutter speed for water flow.  And July and August, you can find me up above 10,000 feet in the San Juans and Weminuche Wilderness, teaching Wildflower photography, and the elusive high altitude sunset.  And by the time the fall arrives in the Southwest, late September through early November, I can be found reporting on, and chasing colors all around Southern Colorado, Arizona, and Utah.

As I transition from a continued part time position as a graphic artist working for corporate America, to full time travel and adventure, I thought others might enjoy reading about the process of getting on the road.  From purchasing a small travel trailer, the right tow vehicle, renovations and learning the systems of the camper, to the current stage of planning and follow up of dreams, this blog will help me remember the things I've done and link to other blogs that help in my mission to Get out and STAY Out.

Click on these links to some of stories, maps and my photos of our National Parks, including a few that won recent photo contests.  Sit back and enjoy the ride!

Arches National Park
Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky
Canyonlands National Park, Needles District
Zion National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Redwoods National and State Parks
Yosemite National Park
Weminuche Wilderness
San Juan National Forest
Canyon of the Ancients National Monument
Grand Gulch Wilderness Study Area

And in 2014 I can be found in the Rainforests, photographing and teaching at Yellowstone National Park, Redwoods National Park, Olympic National Park and Jasper and Banff.  Come along for the ride!