Our First Road Trip as Retirees

In June of 2009 Lou Ann quit her job at Christian Care where she had worked in the dining room for many years. It was hard for her to leave the people that she had become so close to over the years, I thought she was going to work forever! I closed my cabinet shop on July 7th and on July 8th....we hit the road. No need to sit around and think about it!
Our goal was to wind up at The Dalles, OR where our daughter Tara and husband Joe live. But on the way we wanted to see some of the country so we left Phoenix and headed north through Arizona and into Utah. Our first night was spent at a Forest Service Campground at Duck Creek Village, a neat spot where a friend of ours has a summer cabin. I see why they love it there, it is a great escape from the heat of Arizona in the summer months.
From there we headed to Cedar Breaks National Monument, amazing country but much like the red rock country of Arizona. Then on to Provo where we spent a night at Utah Lake State Park and explored Provo and Salt Lake City. We loved Provo and the area. While there we also visited State Trailer Supply to get a new faucet for the bath vanity that broke and wouldn't allow us to turn the water off (pump switch worked). This was a great store that had everything!
From there we headed across the south end of Salt Lake to a little spot in Nevada that we loved, Angle Lake Campground at Wells, Nevada. We decided that the upper campground was a little to much for our rig and the campground at the lake was not suitable for a rig the size of ours. However, just before you start up the steep grade to the lake, there is a smaller campground with great sites, Angel Creek Campground. We found that the sites there were far enough apart that we had great privacy, most of the sites were relatively flat and easy to get into with our 28 foot fiver. And even in July it got cold at night, something it doesn't do it Phoenix!

Our next night was spent boondocking in Easter Oregon, that is the above photo. I think it was called Mud  Creek Campground and it was just a few miles east of Lakeview. It was quiet and we were all alone, I love boondocking,my wife rather prefers a campground where she doesn't feel quite so alone.

The next day took us to the little Czech town of Malin where Lou Ann's brother lives. That was to be home for a few days as Malin was preparing for their 100 year celebration.  That meant picnics in the park, jaternice, kolaches and parades! Those farmers work hard but they know how to have a good time too!

 For more photos of the celebration look at these!