Written by Rex Vogel, RVing with Rex explores North America one meaningful place at a time through destination guides, history, slow travel, and thoughtful storytelling. Drawing on years of RV travel and firsthand experience, the site helps readers move beyond simply seeing places to truly experiencing them.
Standing on the South Rim of the Grand Canyon, it’s easy to feel insignificant
The ancient curves of red rock draw the eye toward the
hallowed waterway below. Stunning and ever-changing light bounces off
spectacular geologic formations, reflecting the winged shadows of raptors
floating overhead.
Earlier this year (February 26, 2019), the US celebrated the
100th anniversary of the designation of one of the world’s greatest
natural wonders, the Grand Canyon, as a national park. However, the
underpinnings of what would become a national treasure and bucket list
destination began to take shape eons ago.
The sheer size of the Grand Canyon is difficult to
comprehend through photos or words. Much of the canyon is over a mile
deep, 15 miles wide, and 277 miles long, carved through geologic formations
that are over 1.7 billion years old. The vast majority of the Grand Canyon
National Park is extremely rugged and remote, and many places are only
accessible by pack trail.
The most popular viewpoints, such as the South Rim, are
visited by over 90 percent of the park visitors. Roughly 30 miles of the
canyon along the South Rim is accessible by the road. The North Rim, about
a 220-mile drive from the South Rim, gives access to the Kaibab Plateau and
Bright Angel Point.
And then, there is the human history, the stories of those
individuals with a pioneer spirit, ingenuity and steadfast commitment that laid
the groundwork for how we experience the Canyon today.
The first known Europeans to view the Grand Canyon—a
scouting party of the Coronado expedition in 1541—arrived, peered down,
attempted to scramble down to the river, failed, and left. Only Native
Americans would gaze upon the canyon’s wonders for more than 200 years.
Interest in the canyon and the Colorado River would spike
with the classic account of Maj. John Wesley Powell’s harrowing first
expedition down the river in 1869, and, 13 years later, the reports of Capt.
Clarence Dutton, whose monograph was published by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The exploits of those explorers were accented by the work of
illustrators Thomas Moran and William Henry Holmes. Holmes classic set of
drawings, including those entitled “Panorama from Point Sublime,” remain
to this day some of the great depictions of the Grand Canyon as viewed from the
South Rim.
The enterprising Santa Fe Railroad arrived in 1901 and soon
after, in 1905, El Tovar opened and quickly developed a reputation as the
fanciest hotel west of the Mississippi.
The Fred Harvey Company, now named the Xanterra Travel
Collection, was hired to manage the hotel. They knew how to address the needs
of tourists lured to the West by the railroad’s promotional images of the
extraordinary Grand Canyon.
The company soon needed help keeping pace with the increasing number of adventuresome travelers eager to explore the Western landscape and turned to a former St. Paul, Minnesota art teacher for assistance.
Mary E.J. Colter, who would become the chief designer and architect for the Harvey organization, drew inspiration from Native American and Spanish Colonial design. Rather than mimicking European architecture, her creations were meant to blend in with or enhance their surroundings. She was responsible for the design of 23 buildings, including Hopi House, Bright Angel Lodge, Lookout Studio, Hermit’s Rest, and The Watchtower, during more than four decades with the company.
Today, Grand Canyon National Park Lodges welcomes guests on
the South Rim with iconic accommodations like El Tovar and Bright Angel and
encourages guests to sleep in the area’s rich history.
The Fred Harvey Company, in the earliest years of the
nineteenth century, envisioned that the El Tovar Hotel, resting on the canyon
rim, would enable people from around the world to experience the wonders of the
Canyon. That vision is now a reality.
The best way to celebrate the Grand Canyon on its 100th
birthday is to see it yourself and take in the natural wonders spanning 13,000
years of human life, and eons of time before that.
Worth Pondering…
The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately
represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself.
A manufacturer recall can create a safety risk if not repaired
Your recreational vehicle may be involved in a safety recall
and may create a safety risk for you or your passengers. Safety defects must be
repaired by a certified dealer at no cost to you. However, if left unrepaired,
a potential safety defect in your vehicle could lead to injury or even death.
What is a recall?
When a manufacturer or the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) determines that a recreational vehicle or item of RV
equipment creates an unreasonable risk to safety or fails to meet minimum
safety standards, the manufacturer is required to fix that vehicle or equipment
at no cost to the consumer.
NHTSA releases its most recent list of recalls each Monday.
The number of RV recalls has increased significantly in
recent years: 169 recalls were issued during 2016, 203 recalls during 2017, and
230 for 2018.
It should be noted that RV recalls are related to vehicle
safety and not product quality.
NHTSA has no interest in an air conditioner failing to cool or
slide out failing to extend or retract—unless they can be directly attributed
to product safety.
NHTSA announced 17 recall notices during May 2019. These
recalls involved 9 recreational vehicle manufacturers—Forest River (6 recalls),
Thor Motor Coach (2 recalls), REV Recreation Group (2 recalls), Jayco (2 recalls),
Keystone RV Company (1 recall), Entegra Coach (1 recall), Tiffin Motorhomes (1
recall), Newmar (1 recall), and Livin’ Lite (1 recall).
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain
2017-2019 Rockport work trucks. The inline fuse that protects the cargo and
compartment lights circuit may not have been installed during production.
Forest River has notified owners, and dealers will install
an inline fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 8, 2019. Owners may
contact Forest River customer service at 1-574-522-7599. Forest River’s number
for this recall is 29-0987.
Forest River
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019
Dynamax Isata motorhomes built on a RAM cab chassis. The primary and secondary
brake hoses located between the brake master cylinder and the hydraulic control
unit may have been manufactured without anti-corrosion plating on the ferrules.
Forest River will notify owners, and FCA US dealers will
inspect the brake hoses and replace them if necessary, free of charge. The
recall is expected to begin May 21, 2019. Owners may contact FCA US customer
service at 1-800-853-1403 or Forest River at 1-574-262-3474. Forest River’s
number for this recall is 55-0992.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2018
Dynamax Isata vehicles built on a RAM chassis and equipped with a column
shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is
running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin
to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the
transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake
pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Forest River will notify owners, and Chrysler dealers will
update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it,
free of charge. The recall is expected to begin May 21, 2019. Owners may
contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403 or Forest River at
1-574-262-3474. Forest River’s number for this recall is 55-0993.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain 2019
Rockwood and Flagstaff recreational trailers. The wiring for the front bedroom
air conditioning may have been improperly installed and may come in contact
with the heat strip in the air conditioner.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will secure the
air conditioner wiring harness away from the heat strip, free of charge. The
recall is expected to begin May 29, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River
customer service at 1-574-642-8943. Forest River’s number for this recall is
10C-1001.
Forest River
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain
2018-2019 Cherokee ACKT39CL and ACKT39RL travel trailers. The Federal Placard
may have incorrect axle rating, cargo carrying capacity, and tire/wheel
combination information.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will provide
replacement placards that contain the accurate information, free of charge. The
recall is expected to begin June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River
customer service at 1-260-499-2100. Forest River’s number for this recall is
17A-1012.
Forest River, Inc. (Forest River) is recalling certain
2019-2020 R. Pod travel trailers. The wire for the refrigerator’s spark igniter
may have been connected to a breaker that permits a current higher than the
wire can handle.
Forest River will notify owners, and dealers will move the
wire from the 30 AMP circuit to the designated 15 AMP circuit, free of charge.
The recall is expected to begin June 19, 2019. Owners may contact Forest River
customer service at 1-574-642-3119. Forest River’s number for this recall is
80-1011.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018-2019
Quantum RW28 motorhomes. The vehicles may be missing the mid-ship marker
lights. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal
Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, “Lamps, Reflective
Devices, and Associated Equipment.”
TMC will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and install
mid-ship marker lights, as needed, free of charge. The recall is expected to
begin May 20, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer service at 1-877-855-2867.
TMC’s number for this recall is RC000167.
Thor Motor Coach (TMC) is recalling certain 2018 Thor
Chateau and Four Winds motorhomes and 2019-2020 Magnitude and Omni motorhomes.
The backup camera displays may revert back to the factory default settings
which may cause the camera image to be reversed.
TMC will notify owners, and dealers will install a harness
to install that will prevent the image from inverting, free of charge. The
recall is expected to begin on May 27, 2019. Owners may contact TMC customer
service at 1-877-855-2867. TMC’s number for this recall is RC000168.
REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2019
Fleetwood Flair and Holiday Rambler Admiral motorhomes. The metal battery hold
down straps or their mounting brackets may contact the terminals for the
auxiliary batteries, possibly resulting in a short circuit.
REV will notify owners, and dealers will rework the
motorhomes to prevent the auxiliary batteries from shorting against the battery
hold down straps and strap mounting brackets, free of charge. The recall is
expected to begin on May 10, 2019. Owners may contact REV customer service at
1-800-509-3417. REV’s number for this recall is 190318REV.
REV Recreation Group
REV Recreation Group (REV) is recalling certain 2019
Fleetwood Flair and Holiday Rambler Admiral motorhomes. The generator exhaust
pipe placement exits the motorhome within the vehicle’s departure angle.
REV has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and
reroute the generator exhaust pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall
began May 21, 2019. Owners may contact REV customer service at 1-800-509-3417.
REV’s number for this recall is 190412REV.
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Precept,
2016-2019 Alante and 2019 Precept Prestige motorhomes built on a Ford F53
chassis. The blower motor electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse,
possibly resulting in overheating of the wiring.
Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will install a 25amp
fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact Jayco
customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco’s number for this recall is 9903432.
Jayco
Jayco, Inc. (Jayco) is recalling certain 2019 Jay Flight TF
travel trailers, model 32RLOK. The supports for the fresh water tank may be too
thin, resulting in the brackets breaking and the tanks detaching from the
trailer.
Jayco has notified owners, and dealers will install a
threaded rod in the center of the water tank support apparatus to provide
additional support, free of charge. The recall began May 9, 2019. Owners may
contact Jayco customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Jayco’s number for this
recall is 9901433.
Keystone RV Company (Keystone) is recalling certain 2018-2019
Dutchmen Kodiak recreational trailers, models 255BHSL and 283BHSL, equipped
with 15-inch tires. The tire clearance to the floor may be insufficient,
allowing the tire to contact the underside of the floor, possibly resulting in
tire failure.
Keystone has notified owners, and dealers will install a
suspension lift kit, free of charge. The recall began on April 12, 2019. Owners
may contact Keystone customer service at 1-866-425-4369. Keystone’s number for
this recall is 19-349.
Entegra Coach (Entegra) is recalling certain 2019 Entegra
Vision and Emblem motorhomes built on a Ford F53 chassis. The blower motor
electrical circuit may be missing the 25amp fuse, possibly resulting in
overheating of the wiring.
Entegra has notified owners, and dealers will install a
25amp fuse, free of charge. The recall began April 16, 2019. Owners may contact
Entegra customer service at 1-800-517-9137. Entegra’s number for this recall is
9903432.
Tiffin Motorhomes, Inc. (Tiffin) is recalling certain
2018-2019 Phaeton, Allegro Bus, and Zephyr motorhomes. The alternating current
electrical wires may have been improperly secured in the Energy Management
Module, causing increased electrical resistance.
Tiffin will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the
Alternating Current Relay Board and make sure the wires are properly secured,
free of charge. The recall is expected to begin in May 2019. Owners may contact
Tiffin customer service at 1-256-356-8661. Tiffin’s number for this recall is TIFF-111.
Newmar Corporation (Newmar) is recalling certain 2018-2019
Bay Star, Essex, New Aire, 2018 Bay Start Sport, Canyon Star, Dutch Star, King
Aire, Mountain Aire, Ventana LE, Ventana, and London Aire motorhomes. The power
supply for the WiFiRanger may overheat.
Newmar has notified owners, and dealers will replace the
power supply, free of charge. The recall began April 18, 2019. Owners may
contact Newmar customer service at 1-800-731-8300.
Livin’ Lite Recreational Vehicles (Livin’ Lite) is recalling
certain 2013-2017 Camplite and 2014-2017 Bearcat recreational trailers. One of
the exit windows may be blocked by a manual awning arm.
Livin’ Lite will notify owners, and dealers will remove the
exit label and alter the window levers, free of charge. The recall is expected
to begin June 15, 2019. Owners may contact Livin’ Lite customer service at
1-800-768-4016 extension 154 or 153. Livin’ Lite’s number for this recall is
LL-2019-01.
Note: Owners may
also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety
Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Dive into the crystal-clear water of the world’s largest spring-fed swimming pool
In July, on a 100-degree day in the desert, 562 miles west
of Houston, the San Solomon Springs Pool at Balmorhea State Park in Far West
Texas, is a favorite place for many RVers and other travelers searching for
respite from the hot Texas sun.
The water is so clear it’s like jumping into a dream. The
water temperature hovers around 75 degrees, refreshingly cool in the heat of
the summer and comfortably warm in winter. It is, in the opinion of many, the
best swimming hole on Earth.
Set against the Davis Mountains where the Chihuahuan Desert
transitions into the low, flat Permian Basin, the San Solomon complex of
springs gush out 15 million gallons of artesian water every day, feeding a
canal system that runs to nearby farms and the town of Balmorhea, 4 miles away.
In the mid-1930s, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built
walls around the desert marsh to create the pool. Today, more than 200,000
people stop by every year to swim with fish, waterfowl, and amphibians.
The CCC-era structure is the world’s largest spring-fed
swimming pool. More than 15 million gallons of water flow through the pool each
day, gushing from the San Solomon Springs. The 1.3- acre pool is up to 25 feet
deep, holds 3.5 million gallons of water with the temperature 72 to 76 degrees
year-round.
Several years ago when we stopped by in early spring on our
route west to Arizona, we had the park to ourselves. But on summer weekends so
many people cram into the park that volunteers improvise parking in open
fields.
I always figured Balmorhea was too far away from major
population centers, too in the middle of nowhere, to get overrun. I was wrong.
In recent years, visitation has surged. For families between Van Horn and
Odessa, Balmorhea is the one affordable place within 100 miles to cool off and
picnic.
Scuba clubs from as far away as Kansas and Arkansas explore
the springs on weekends year-round. Fitness buffs motoring coast to coast make
detours for a swim.
For almost three months, during the peak summer season, the
pool was closed as staff figured out how to fix a collapsed retaining wall
below the diving boards.
The closing was sudden and unplanned. During the annual
cleaning in early May (2018), Abel Baeza, the manager of the local water
district, was directing workers to make repairs in a nearby canal when he heard
a noise, then turned around to see the underwater concrete skirting cracking
off below the high dive.
The 80-year-old pool, like the nearby adobe San Solomon
Springs Motor Courts which are closed during a planned restoration, requires
constant upkeep. The concrete repairs were an even bigger deal. A dam had to be
constructed to hold back water around the damage during the painstaking
process.
“There are five endangered species in the pool, and this is
the only population left of this species of black catfish,” said Mark Lockwood,
the West Texas regional director for Texas state parks.
“We can’t just open up the gates, let the water dry up
everywhere, build a wall, and put it back together.”
In early August, the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
(TPWD) announced that pool repairs would begin imminently, with the
cash-strapped agency forced to find creative ways to pay the estimated $2
million bill. Apache Corporation, the company doing most of the fracking
exploration around Balmorhea, which some locals and environmentalists believe
caused the damage, offered a $1 million matching grant through the nonprofit
Texas Parks & Wildlife Foundation.
The Garrison Brothers Distillery pledged a portion of
proceeds from its small-batch, $59-a-bottle Balmorhea whiskey. Even for a park
as popular as Balmorhea, getting things done these days requires the
governmental equivalent of a GoFundMe campaign.
This project is only one of the three major developments
underway at Balmorhea State Park. Renovations to the San Solomon Springs Courts
and campgrounds have been ongoing since 2017. Once these projects have
completed, visitors to Balmorhea will have an enhanced park experience at West
Texas’ most treasured oasis.
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation (TPWF) has
established a fund to accept donations towards the structural repairs that are
needed to reopen the pool. These donations will help ensure that Texans can
continue to enjoy this historic spring-fed swimming pool and unique West Texas
destination for generations to come.
The park remains open for day-use only with limited
facilities.
The restoration of the San Solomon Springs Motor Courts
should be finished by spring. The fallen wall in the pool should be repaired
any day now. I’m standing by.
Badlands National Park is one of America’s top destinations for outdoor recreation with camping sites, miles of hiking trails, and striking scenery
Roughly an hour east of Rapid City, Badlands National Park
is accessible by Interstate 90 or South Dakota Highway 44, for travelers who
prefer two-lane travel.
State Route 44 cuts through Buffalo Gap National
Grassland, which covers a huge chunk of South Dakota’s southwestern corner.
You’ll see prairie grass whether you’re officially within the National
Grassland area or not.
At first blush, Badlands National Park doesn’t sound like
the best place to go. After all, it’s called Badlands! For centuries humans
have viewed South Dakota’s celebrated Badlands with a mix of dread and
fascination.
But these 244,000 acres of otherworldly landscape are
gorgeous, with deep canyons, towering pinnacles and spires, buttes, and banded
red-and-gray rock formations that transform into a veritable rainbow at the magic
hour shortly after sunrise or before sunset. Some describe it as otherworldly, lunar-like,
some say desert, the Lakota (Sioux) were the first to call it “bad
lands,” or “mako sica.”
The park also protects an expanse of mixed-grass prairie—the
largest in the U.S.—where bison, pronghorn antelope, bighorn sheep, mule deer,
coyotes, and whole towns of adorable prairie dogs roam. Black-footed ferrets,
the most endangered land mammal in North America and a predator of prairie
dogs, were reintroduced to the Badlands late in the 20th Century.
Badlands is really a story of ongoing erosion. Every time it
rains, more sediment is washed from the buttes. On average, Badlands buttes
erode one-third inch each year. Erosion rates suggest they will erode
completely in another 500,000 years, giving them a lifetime of one million
years.
An array of extinct animals, from enormous to very small,
once roamed this area. Some lived in the subtropical forests; others lived in
the grasslands that came in the years afterwards. Skeletons of three-toed
horses and saber-toothed cats are among the many fossilized species found here.
There is much to see and do at Badlands National Park, but
if you have only a short time to spend, begin your visit at the very cool Ben
Reifel Visitor Center at the southeastern tip of the Badlands scenic loop, next
to Cedar Pass Lodge. While there, pick up a park map, watch the award-winning
park video, and tour the exhibits. Visitors can interact with paleontologists
that are preparing mammal fossils they’ve found in the park. Ranger-guided
programs and hikes are offered.
Next, drive the Badlands Loop Scenic Byway. It would take about
one hour to drive the 39-mile loop of South Dakota Highway 240 between the
towns of Cactus Flat and Wall without stopping, but almost no one does that.
Breathtaking rock formations and native grasslands filled
with numerous species of plants and animals guarantee you’ll want to pause
along the route to enjoy the view. There are 16 designated scenic
overlooks that make for outstanding photo opportunities.
Stretch your legs along one of the many hiking trails and
remember to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. Buffalo can most often be found
along the Sage Creek Rim Road, a gravel spur off the western end of the
Badlands Loop Road. Twisting curves climb through passes in the Badlands wall
of rugged rock pinnacles, buttes, and mounds.
Experience Badlands National Park overnight and enjoy its
breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, colorful flowers, bountiful wildlife, and
rugged scenery from one of two campgrounds available in the park: Cedar Pass
Campground and Sage Creek Campground. Both campgrounds are open year-round, and
camping is limited to 14 days.
Located near the Ben Reifel Visitor Center, the Cedar Pass
Campground has 96 level sites with scenic views of the badlands formations. Cedar
Pass Campground offers tent camping and spacious RV sites with electric only
service.
Bison often wander through Sage Creek, a primitive
campground, located on the west side of the park’s North Unit, near the
Badlands Wilderness Area. Access is located off of the Sage Creek Rim Road, an
unpaved road that may temporarily close after winter storms and spring rains.
The road provides limited turnarounds for large recreational vehicles.
The Badlands became a national monument in 1939. Congress
declared it a national park in 1978. Nearly 1 million people visit Badlands
National Park each year (996,223 in 2016.
One of the primary benefits of RV travel is that your pets can enjoy the great outdoors all day and always sleep in the same space at night
More and more RVers are traveling with their beloved pets
and finding it makes the experience even more enjoyable. RV travel and pets
are, in most cases, a good mix.
RV travel with your pets can be rewarding for you and your
family’s pet but the key to a successful camping trip or any mode of vacation
travel is advanced planning and preparation, common sense, and sometimes a
dose of creativity.
Most dogs and cats can adapt to the RVing lifestyle by
following these three tips for a pet-friendly RV travel.
When you travel without your favorite pillow, don’t you feel
just a little lost at night? Cats and dogs also feel the same way when they go
places without their familiar stuff. Animals rely so much more on their sense
of smell than we do so when they go to places that lack odors from their most
familiar objects, their world becomes confusing.
If your dog is crate trained, use it―if not, consider using
a baby gate to keep your dog confined to a small interior area
Keep the Routine
As humans, we love the refreshing routine change that
RV vacations bring into our life, but it can cause confusion for pets. Minimize
their mental chaos by sticking to daily routines during RV travel.
Take your dog on that last potty walk of the day at the
usual bedtime.
When traveling cross-country and switching time zones,
sticking to pet care routines is even more important. In his blog post
about helping pets adjust to time changes, Dr. Ernie Ward says “For most
pets, these changes are abrupt, unexpected, and challenging. They may ponder,
‘Why am I eating now? Why do I have to get up so early?’”
Wherever you go, RV parks will expect your dog to be on a
leash at all times. If your dog isn’t used to eliminating on-leash, you’ll need
to train him how to do so long before your departure date.
Always travel with a digital or paper copy of your pet’s
most important medical records, including vaccination history and contact
information for your veterinary clinic. A good working relationship between a
pet owner and their veterinarian is the best bet to ensure the overall health
of any animal.
Carry a Pet First Aid Kit; don’t rely on ones made for
humans. There are numerous pre-packaged first aid kits that you can buy online
or at sporting stores.
Alternatively, ask your veterinarian to help you build a
good kit. Your vet knows the specific needs of your pet and can help you find
items to include in your kit specifically for your dog or cat, and the RV
activities you are planning.
If your pet is on a prescription be sure to pack an adequate
supply for the entire journey. Backup medicines for fleas, worms, and other
common illnesses are also recommended.
More RV parks than ever are laying out the welcome mat for
pets. Creating a safe, nurturing environment inside your home-on-wheels ensures
that everyone stays happy no matter where the road takes leads.
If animals could speak, the dog would be a blundering
outspoken fellow; but the cat would have the rare grace of never saying a word
too much.
―Mark Twain
Located in southwestern Utah, Scenic Byway 12 is nestled between two national parks—Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon
A 121-mile-long All-American Road, Scenic Byway 12 winds
and climbs and twists and turns and descends as it snakes its way through
memorable landscapes, ranging from the remains of ancient sea beds to one of
the world’s highest alpine forests, and from astonishing pink and russet stone
turrets to open sagebrush flats.
The history and culture of the area blend together, making
Scenic Byway 12 a journey like no other.
Scenic Byway 12 has two entry points. The southwestern gateway is from U.S. Highway 89, seven miles south of the city of Panguitch. The northeastern gateway is from Highway 24 in the town of Torrey near Capitol Reef National Park.
Shortly after entering the southwestern terminus at Highway
89, the scenic byway passes through U.S. Forest Service’s Red Canyon and two
short tunnels in bright red rock masses.
Established in 1924, Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its towering eroding-sandstone pillars called hoodoos. The breathtaking three-mile-wide amphitheater is especially colorful at sunrise and sunset from Bryce and Inspiration points.
Other major attractions include Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, Escalante Petrified Forest State Park, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Hell’s Backbone, Hole-in-the-Rock, Cottonwood Canyon, Burr Trail, Box-Death Hollow Wilderness Area, and The Hogsback, a narrow ridge barely wider than the two-lane roadway with cliffs falling away on either side.
Additionally, there are nine communities along Scenic Byway
12, each with a character all its own. Settled by Mormon families who
established homes and ranches in the area, the towns proudly display their
unique heritage and invite you to visit.
Settled in 1889, Boulder was America’s last town to receive
mail by mule (until 1972). The town’s main attraction, the Anasazi State Park
Museum, encompasses the ancient ruins of the Coombs archaelogical site.
Excavated in 1959, the site’s ruins and exhibits provide an interesting
look into how the Anasazi or ancient ones lived almost a thousand years ago.
About 20 miles south of Boulder, the Hole-in-the-Rock Scenic
Byway dirt road cuts south into the Escalante Canyons where you’ll find dozens
of arches, ancient Native Indian rock art, and the mind-boggling rock
formations of Devils Garden.
Escalante is often called the “Heart of Scenic Byway 12” as
it is nestled between the elevated meadows of the Aquarius and Kaiparowits
Plateaus and the low desert country surrounding the Escalante Canyons in the
middle of the byway.
About two miles northwest of town is Escalante Petrified
Forest State Park. A series of short hiking trails leads to groupings of
petrified logs, thousand-year-old petroglyphs, and dinosaur bones dating from
the Jurassic period. In the center of the park, the Wide Hollow Reservoir
offers great canoeing and bass fishing. Camping is available.
Thirty miles west of Escalante, you’ll come to the small
town of Cannonville and the Highway 400 turnoff to Kodachrome Basin State Park.
The changing warm light on the park’s towering sandstone chimneys prompted the
National Geographic Society to name the park Kodachrome in 1949.
What makes Scenic Byway 12 a journey like no other?
The way that nature strings together the best that the
Southwest has to offer in high density of scenery, iconic national parks, state
parks, museums, and scenic backways.
Mile for mile, few of America’s national scenic byways can
compete with the diverse scenery and number of natural attractions along Scenic
Byway 12. Recognized as one of the most beautiful drives in America, the byway
showcases some of Utah’s uniquely scenic landscape.
Worth Pondering…
When lighted by the morning sun the gorgeous chasm is an
immense bowl of lace and filigree work in stone, colored with the white of
frost and the pinks of glowing embers. To those who have not forgotten the
story books of childhood it suggests a playground for fairies. In another
aspect it seems a smoldering inferno where goblins and demons might dwell among
flames and embers.
The Battle of Cowpens was one of those special moments in time when destiny is forever changed
On January 17, 1781, the Americans won a decisive battle
against the better-trained British Army. The Battle of Cowpens was over in less
than an hour. This battle was the event which started British General Cornwallis
on his march north to his eventual surrender at Yorktown just nine months later.
General Daniel Morgan had encamped his army the previous
afternoon surrounding Green River Road which wound through the lush South
Carolina backcountry. He was awaiting the arrival of British Troops under
the command of bloody Banastre Tarleton. The battle began before dawn. Tarleton’s
dragoons were joined by 200 Cavalry and a Brigade of Highlanders. Morgan
commanded Col. Andrew Pickens’ Georgia and South Carolina Militia, Lt. Col.
John Eager Howard’s Maryland and Delaware Continental Line, and Lt. Col.
William Washington’s Cavalry.
Entering Cowpens Battlefield Park we immediately approach
the well maintained visitor’s center. Standing watch over the entrance is
a monument dedicated to the valor of the patriots who fought on these
fields: “On this field American troops under Brigadier General Daniel
Morgan won a signal victory over a British force commanded by Lieutenant
Colonel Banastre Tarleton, January 17, 1781”.
After one’s tour of the visitor center the choice is between
a walking or a driving tour. Being a pleasant day, we chose the walking
tour.
Tarleton marched his troops up the Green River Road in
search of the Continentals. Morgan had already chosen the Cowpens, a local
grazing pasture surrounding the Green River Road, as the perfect spot to battle
the enemy. On January 16, 1781 he awaited Tarleton’s arrival and their
moment in history.
Morgan’s battle plan was a brilliant one which didn’t fit
the norm of period English warfare. He planned to have his sharpshooters
fire a few volleys and then retreat into the safety of the more seasoned troops
who brought up their rear. William Washington’s Cavalry would stand in
wait for the moment that they were needed to bring their expertise to the
fight.
Acting on faulty intelligence indicating the Continentals
were planning to retreat across the Broad River, Banastre Tarleton aroused his
troops in the wee morning hours of January 17th for a nighttime march up the
Green River Road. His plans were to annihilate the Continental Army during
the weakness of retreat.
Daniel Morgan’s troops spent the evening of January 16, 1781
resting in his chosen spot of battle, the backcountry cow pasture that locals
referred to as Cowpens. Morgan was rallying the troops, moving from
campfire to campfire to personally brief each group of soldiers on his battle
plan.
As dawn prepared its rise, Tarleton’s advancing army was
spotted by Continentals who informed Morgan of their approach. Patriots
troops were quickly awakened and readied to meet the enemy.
Tarleton was surprised to see Morgan’s army prepared for battle,
rather than in retreat. Daniel Morgan began the execution of his perfect
plan.
Morgan and his army turned the flanks of Tarleton’s British
army. This classic military tactic, known as a double envelopment, was one of
only a few in history. Considered a tactical masterpiece, this battle is frequently
studied in military academies around the world.
Although the battle appeared to be clearly favoring the
Patriots, Tarleton continued to anticipate an ultimate victory. An
impressive personal battlefield confrontation with William Washington proved to
be Tarleton’s final Cowpens defeat.
Convinced by associates that his safety was of strategic
importance to the British cause, Banastre Tarleton abandoned the fight. He
began a withdrawal down the Green River Road in search of the safety of
Cornwallis’ camp.
It was one of those special moments in time when destiny is
forever changed. The march to Yorktown had begun.
We exit Cowpens National Battlefield with a sense of awe at
the accomplishments of Daniel Morgan, Andrew Pickens, William Washington, John
Eager Howard, and the brave men they led into battle. The quiet of the
Cowpens on a warm November day stood in stark contrast to the bedlam of January
17, 1781.
The easiest solution to driving your RV in high winds is simply to not drive
High winds and the damage they can cause are frightening
enough; but experiencing severe winds while driving an RV is even more
alarming.
High winds can damage an RV, blow it over, and cause fatal
injuries to driver and passengers. While responsible RV owners always
check weather conditions before traveling, windy weather can be unpredictable
and can surprise you with a sudden change in direction or unusually strong
gusts.
Take extra precautions for tight spots, slow down as you
drive, steer clear of others on the road, and know when to sit it out can help
you confidently navigate the potential dangers of driving your RVing in high
winds.
Check Weather Conditions
Prior To Travel: Delay Departure
Always check weather conditions prior to travel and of
necessary, delay departure. Don’t rely on a single source of information, such
as a weather app. Have multiple ways of receiving weather information,
especially when weather turns potentially dangerous. Be aware of good weather
websites. Tuning into a local television station for live weather updates is
critical.
Own a NOAA Weather Radio. Weather radios are designed to
audibly alert you to local weather risks, but they require that you input the
NOAA county code.
Driving an RV through severe winds can leave you feeling out
of control. This feeling is not misplaced as high winds can push your vehicle
off course. A quick course correction is not recommended since it tends to take
you just as rapidly in the opposite direction.
Slowing down is the only way to avoid losing control of your
vehicle when driving during strong gusty winds. You cannot outrun the storm, no
matter how skilled a driver you are, so stay safe by slowing down and taking it
easy.
If after slowing down you still don’t feel comfortably in
control of your RV, then find a safe place to pull off the road. Be sure to
take corners especially slow. When driving slow, do like the long-distance
truck drivers and use your four-way flashers.
You understand the importance of slowing down and driving
cautiously in high winds, but other drivers may not clue in. The best way to
share the road with others in windy conditions is to keep your distance.
Even smaller vehicles can be potentially blown into your
lane or directly into your RV. Trailers, campers, boats, and other towables are
even more difficult to control during strong winds since they have no power
source of their own.
You RV because it’s an enjoyable activity! Don’t let the
stress of driving in high winds ruin your good time. Rather than white
knuckling your way through, pull over and take time to regain your composure and
reassess weather conditions.
Arriving at your destination in good time is all well and
good, but your safety and the safety of your traveling companions is much more
important. If you feel yourself getting overwhelmed driving through high winds,
don’t hesitate to pull over and take time to shake off the stress of driving during
poor weather conditions.
There is no shame in avoiding high winds by stopping at a
safe place to wait out the weather. Taking personal responsibility and knowing
when to sit it out are the best ways to stay safe.
Eventually the wind will die down or the storm will pass,
and you’ll be back on the road having fun again.
Only you can make the decision to slow down or stop due to
high winds; be sure to follow your instincts and err on the side of caution.
Take it easy, slow down, and put your safety ahead of your schedule.
Once known as Hangtown, Placerville is one of California’s most fascinating Gold Rush communities. Follow its journey from rough mining camp to thriving foothill town while exploring the American River, Coloma, Highway 49, and the rich history of Gold Country.
Get a taste of frontier life as you retrace the history of California’s boom-and-bust Gold Rush, one of the defining events of the nineteenth century. Across the Sierra Nevada foothills, echoes of that remarkable era remain in preserved towns, historic buildings, and the stories of the fortune seekers who changed California forever.
Pan for gold and watch merchants in period dress recreate daily life in the 1850s at Columbia State Historic Park. Experience the thrill of a whitewater rafting adventure on the American River where rushing waters once carried prospectors and supplies through Gold Country.
At the heart of it all lies Placerville, the community once known as Hangtown. What began as a rough-and-tumble mining camp has evolved into one of California’s most charming Gold Rush towns where historic storefronts, local museums, and a lively Main Street keep the spirit of the era alive for today’s visitors.
The American River is one of the most popular whitewater destinations in the West, drawing adventurers with its mix of rushing rapids, deep pools, and rocky cascades. Long before rafters arrived, the river sustained Native American communities who depended on its waters, fish, and fertile riverbanks for generations.
Everything changed in 1848 when gold was discovered in the Sierra foothills. Soon thousands of fortune seekers poured into the region, transforming the American River into the lifeblood of the California Gold Rush. The legendary ’49ers worked its gravel bars and bends, convinced that the next pan of river silt might reveal the riches they had traveled so far to find.
Today, the gold seekers are gone but the river remains much the same—flowing through the heart of Gold Country and connecting visitors to the landscapes that helped shape California’s history. Whether viewed from the shoreline or experienced from a bouncing raft, the American River offers a glimpse into both the natural beauty and enduring legacy of the Gold Rush era.
Along the American River, reminders of the Gold Rush can still be found by those who know where to look. Rusting pieces of mining equipment occasionally emerge from the landscape, silent relics of a time when thousands searched these waters for fortune.
Today, the quest for gold has largely given way to a different pursuit—adventure. The American River’s three forks each offer their own character from gentle stretches suited to families and first-time paddlers to challenging rapids that attract experienced whitewater enthusiasts. Local outfitters make it easy to experience the river, whether you’re looking for a relaxing half-day float or a multi-day journey through some of California’s most scenic canyon country.
The river continues to draw people for the same reason it always has: the promise of an unforgettable experience.
For a town of just over 10,000 residents, Placerville offers a remarkable concentration of history, attractions, and Gold Rush heritage. To understand the town, however, you must begin a few miles away in nearby Coloma.
It was there, on January 24, 1848, that James W. Marshall discovered flecks of gold while building a sawmill for John Sutter along the South Fork of the American River. According to local legend, Marshall excitedly announced to his workers, “Boys, by God, I believe I’ve found a gold mine.”
News of the discovery spread slowly at first then exploded across the nation and around the world. What began as a few shining flakes in a mill tailrace quickly became one of the greatest migrations in American history. Prospectors, merchants, sailors, farmers, and adventurers flooded into California, all hoping to strike it rich.
As thousands poured into the Sierra foothills, camps sprang up almost overnight. Among them was a rough settlement that would eventually become Placerville—one of the most enduring communities to emerge from the California Gold Rush.
The miners were not alone in seeking opportunity. Merchants, teamsters, blacksmiths, and entrepreneurs soon followed, eager to profit from the thousands of prospectors pouring into the region. By 1849, the Gold Rush was in full swing with tens of thousands arriving in California by land and sea in search of fortune.
While nearby Coloma marked the site of the original discovery, new mining camps quickly appeared throughout the foothills. One of them was a settlement known as Dry Diggins, named for a mining technique that used water to separate gold from dry soil.
As the camp grew, so did its reputation. In 1849, Dry Diggins acquired a new name—Hangtown—after a series of vigilante hangings that reflected the rough-and-ready justice common in many frontier settlements. The name stuck for several years before residents sought a more respectable identity.
In 1854, Hangtown officially became Placerville, a name inspired by the rich placer gold deposits found in the area’s streams and hillsides. Though the town has long since outgrown its lawless beginnings, its Gold Rush roots remain woven into the streets, buildings, and stories that continue to draw visitors today.
Today’s State Route 49 roughly follows the same route traveled by miners, merchants, and fortune seekers moving between Coloma and Hangtown during the height of the Gold Rush. What is now a scenic drive through California’s foothills was once a busy corridor crowded with wagons, pack animals, and hopeful prospectors.
Not everyone struck gold. Mining was demanding, uncertain work, and many who arrived in search of quick riches found only disappointment. As frustration grew, some turned to robbery and theft, targeting miners who had been more successful. Gold dust was easy to carry and difficult to trace, making it a tempting prize for outlaws.
The combination of sudden wealth, limited law enforcement, and a rapidly growing population gave early Hangtown a rough reputation. Frontier justice often filled the gap, helping create the colorful and sometimes notorious history for which the town would become known.
Before the name Hangtown took hold, the settlement was known as Old Dry Diggins—a simple, practical name that described exactly what miners were doing in the area. Unlike river panning sites, this was land-based mining where gold-bearing soil had to be dug up and hauled to nearby water sources before it could be washed and sifted.
The process was labor-intensive and slow, often requiring miners to transport heavy loads of earth by hand or mule to the nearest stream. Despite the effort, the promise of gold kept people working the ground, hoping each trip might yield a valuable return.
The name Old Dry Diggins captured both the hardship and the persistence that defined the early days of the camp, long before it gained the far more notorious name that would follow.
Accounts vary in the details but most agree that in 1849 an impromptu jury was formed in the settlement to judge three men accused of murder. What followed was a brief and chaotic proceeding, said to have lasted only about half an hour.
As tensions rose, a cry reportedly went up from the crowd: “Hang them!” In a matter of moments, the decision was made not in a courthouse but in a mining camp filled with hundreds—possibly as many as a thousand—miners watching the outcome unfold.
The sentence was carried out beneath a large white oak tree near the center of camp, in the area where Coloma and Main Streets intersect today. These early executions became part of the lore that would eventually give Hangtown its infamous name.
News of the event spread quickly through the growing mining camps of the Sierra foothills. In time, additional executions were carried out at the same location and the site itself became part of the settlement’s identity.
Before long, the rough mining camp was being referred to informally as Hangtown—a name that reflected both its frontier justice origins and the notoriety that followed it during the Gold Rush era.
By the early 1850s, the rough mining camp along the American River was beginning to change. What had started as a transient settlement of prospectors and merchants was gradually developing into a more permanent town, shaped by commerce, community institutions, and the steady influx of new residents.
As stability increased, so did the desire for a name that reflected a more established future. The informal label “Hangtown,” rooted in the camp’s early frontier reputation, no longer suited a community that was evolving beyond its origins.
In 1854, the settlement was formally incorporated under a new name: Placerville. The choice reflected the region’s defining resource—rich placer gold deposits found in nearby streams and hillsides—and marked a turning point from a rough mining outpost to an organized town.
With incorporation came deeper investment in infrastructure and mining methods. Surface panning gave way to more intensive techniques such as open excavation, tunneling, and hydraulic mining as the Gold Rush entered a more industrial phase and Placerville secured its place in California’s growing network of foothill communities.
With incorporation established and a new name in place, Placerville quickly began to assert itself as more than a former mining camp. As stability grew, so did ambition. The town’s institutions expanded and civic life took shape around businesses, churches, and community organizations that reflected a more permanent settlement.
One of the clearest signs of this transformation was Placerville’s push to become the county seat of El Dorado County. At the time, that role still belonged to Coloma but Placerville’s growing population and economic activity made it a serious contender.
The first attempt to shift the county seat involved multiple communities but none succeeded in unseating Coloma. A second effort followed in the mid-1850s, narrowing the contest and intensifying local rivalry. Though Coloma was again declared the winner, the dispute remained unresolved in the minds of many Placerville residents.
The matter eventually escalated beyond local elections, reaching the California State Legislature for final resolution. In 1857, the decision was made official: Placerville would serve as the county seat of El Dorado County.
With that designation secured, the town entered a new phase of growth. Trade increased, new arrivals flowed in, and Placerville solidified its role as one of the key foothill hubs of the Mother Lode.
In 1856, Placerville was struck by a devastating fire that swept through much of the town, threatening the very future of the growing community. Yet, like many frontier settlements, it rebuilt quickly, adapting to changing times and new opportunities.
By the late 1850s, local mining activity was beginning to decline but Placerville found new purpose as the Comstock silver strike in Nevada ignited another wave of regional movement in 1859. Once again, the town became a critical link in the supply chain of the West.
For much of the 1850s, Placerville had already served as the western terminus of the Overland Trail, and its importance only grew as freight and stage routes expanded eastward. Between 1859 and 1866, the Placerville–Carson Road—later evolving into what is now U.S. Highway 50—became one of the busiest freight corridors in the region, seeing an unprecedented era of horse-drawn wagons moving goods, passengers, and supplies across the Sierra Nevada.
Although the arrival of railroads eventually shifted trade routes elsewhere, Placerville endured periods of change and reinvention, including brief disincorporation in 1873 and reincorporation in 1900.
Today, Placerville remains the seat of El Dorado County and a living reminder of its Gold Rush and frontier past. Its historic district, events, and preserved architecture continue to bring that era to life for modern visitors.
Today, Placerville remains a central hub of California’s Mother Lode region but its identity has long since expanded beyond the search for gold. Mining gave way to new industries—lumber, agriculture, light manufacturing, tourism, and recreation—while the surrounding foothills became known for vineyards and the production of fine wines.
As the seat of El Dorado County, Placerville continues to serve as a regional center, yet it is the memory of its earlier days that most strongly shapes its character. The name “Hangtown” still lingers in local history and storytelling, a reminder of the town’s rough and formative beginnings.
Though fires over the years have claimed much of the original historic district, visitors can still find preserved stone and brick buildings dating back to the early 1850s, standing as quiet witnesses to the town’s enduring past.
All that is gold does not glitter, Not all those who wander are lost; The old that is strong does not wither, Deep roots are not reached by the frost. —J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring
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Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in May 2019 and updated June 2026. Information reflects t was accurate at the time of writing. For topics that may change quickly, please verify current details before planning. To ensure honesty and avoid bias, this website features no ads, no sponsored content, and no affiliate links—just straightforward information for fellow travelers.
Memorial Day is a time to revisit the stories of those who gave their life for freedom and remember the significance of their actions
Each May, America commemorates those who have died while
serving in the armed forces by organizing parades, picnics, and visits to
cemeteries and national memorials across the country.
This Memorial Day, honor those brave men and women by
exploring the country’s national parks, many of which are home to preserved
historic sites, monuments, and memorials dedicated to celebrating military
history.
In an earlier post we commemorated the sacrifices made for a
revolutionary idea by exploring some of the significant landmarks that
witnessed the beginning of the new nation.
In today’s post we’ll dig a little deeper into American history
and find a wealth of other national parks and programs throughout the U. S.
that are equally exciting. This Memorial Day, take a moment to learn more about
the incredible men and women who have fought for and supported America throughout
its history.
From the soldiers that fought in the Civil War to the men
and women who sacrificed their lives during the Cold War, Memorial Day is a
time to revisit the stories of those who gave their life for freedom and
remember the significance of their actions.
From 1861 to 1865, the American union was broken in a Civil
War that remains a defining moment in America’s history. Its causes and
consequences, including the continuing struggle for civil rights for all
Americans, reverberate to this day. From the war’s outbreak at Fort Sumter, to
the largest battle fought at Gettysburg, to the closing chapter at Appomattox Court
House, more than 40 Civil War battlefields are preserved by the National Park
Service.
The bloodiest battle of the civil war, which served as inspiration for Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, was fought on the beautiful grassy knolls of this Pennsylvania battlefield.
Start at the National Park Service Museum and walk
the trails on foot or experience them on horseback. Complete your visit with a
stop at Soldiers National Cemetery, the resting place for many Union soldiers
as well as those who perished in all American wars since 1865.
Chickamauga and
Chattanooga National Military Park, Georgia and Tennessee
In 1863, Union and Confederate forces fought for control of
Chattanooga, known as the “Gateway to the Deep South.” The
Confederates were victorious at nearby Chickamauga in September. However,
renewed fighting in Chattanooga that November provided Union troops victory and
control of the city.
Walk the old country lanes where Robert E. Lee, Commanding
General of the Army of Northern Virginia, surrendered his men to Ulysses Grant,
General-in-Chief of all United States forces, on April 9, 1865. Imagine the
events that signaled the end of the Southern States’ attempt to create a
separate nation.
During the late 19th century, as the United States sought to
expand its territory further west, a policy of removing the American Indians
from tribal lands was adopted. The resulting distrust and broken promises
ultimately led to violence, and more than 1,500 armed conflicts were fought
during the Indian wars. Today, the National Park Service preserves several of
the battlefield sites of the Indian War and interprets its effect on native
peoples and their cultures.
Set in the rugged beauty of the Davis Mountains of West Texas,
Fort Davis is the best surviving example of an Indian Wars frontier military
post and one of the best preserved Buffalo Soldier forts in the Southwest. Fort
Davis is important in understanding the presence of African Americans in the
West and in the frontier military.
The nearly 50-year period of political and military tension
between the Western world and communist countries known as the Cold War led to
the development and proliferation of nuclear weapons by both sides. Minuteman
Missile National Historic Site tells the story of these weapons that not only
held the power to destroy civilization, but also served as a nuclear deterrent
which maintained peace and prevented war.
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, South Dakota
During the Cold War, a vast arsenal of nuclear missiles were placed in the Great Plains. Hidden in plain sight, for thirty years 1,000 missiles were kept on constant alert; hundreds remain today. The Minuteman Missile remains an iconic weapon in the American nuclear arsenal. It holds the power to destroy civilization, but is meant as a deterrent to maintain peace and prevent war.
This Memorial Day weekend take time to thank those who have
served and protected America.
Worth Pondering…
Ask not what your country can do for you—ask what you can do
for your country.
