Butch Cassidy RVPark

Apr26

Please take the time to leave a comment at the bottom of this blog. I relish the positive ones and will learn from the negative ones.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING.

March/April ITENERARY
March 22nd Las Vegas at Las Vegas TT Campground for 14 nights
April 5th St. George, Utah (119m) x13 nights (119m)
April 19th Kanab, UT at Crazy Horse RVP (80m)x7 nights (80m)
April 26th Salina, UT at RPI RVP(163m) x7 nights (163m)
May 2nd Moab, UT at KOA Campground (159m)x4 nights (159m)
May 6th Heber, UT Mountain Valley RVR (2 overnights) x7n 234m
May 16th Bend, OR TT (Overnights and stays TBD) (654m)(x7n)
June 5th Whaler’s Rest in Newport, OR.
June 26th leave Whaler’s Rest
*****************************************

4.26.19-Butch Cassidy RVPark

The Butch Cassidy RVPark is located in Salina, UT. It’s also part of the Equity Properties family as an RPI Member (Resorts Park International). It’s not a freebee but it’s only a $10/night which is a cheap stay. It’s basically only worth that much as well. Not much here, just a open dirt campground. We do have 50 Amp service which is nice. Verizon and Wi-Fi are here but marginally.

Basically this RV Park doesn’t look like much, offers even less. They have a nice pool table, so we just left to pay a game or two, It’s a pay to play table. How cheap can you get. Wi-Fi sucks, satellite is about the same but there’s plenty of blowing sand, and weeds to go around.

You’re right, chickens and a peacock. More to come, hopefully.

Yes, there’s even. Duck or two. The duck below is sitting on thirty eggs, wow!

This small petting zoo also has a resident goat.

One looks like parrot the other an owl. But am not sure. Below are just some of the animal pens housing all these animals

Coach repair

Apr26

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING

you NEED,

NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING.

4.24.19-COACH GETS ANOTHER INEXPENSIVE FIX

We were told from Little’s Diesel, Kanab, UT, they would show up around 3 pm to determine what trouble the slide was having again.

Once again it had to do with the hydraulic fluid levels. This time I realized I had to be more involved, so I got under the coach with McCray, Little’s service man, to learn how to resolve this problem in the future. The reservoir for the hydraulics lies directly behind the circuitry and control box for the levelling system. Not really very accessible, actually quite inaccessible, but is doable. We’re making an appointment in Bend, OR to have this problem diagnosed by a big Winnebago Dealership. We also must have them replace the connector of the electrical transfer cable as well.

Antelope Canyon (pictorial)

Apr25

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.25.2019 ANTELOPE CANYON TOUR

Courtesy of WikiLeaks

Upper Antelope Canyon is called Tsé bighánílíní, ‘the place where water runs through rocks’ by the Navajo. It is the most frequently visited by tourists for two reasons. First, its entrance and entire length are at ground level, requiring no climbing.

Second, beams or shafts of direct sunlight radiating down from openings at the top of the canyon are much more common in Upper than in Lower.

Beams occur most often in the summer months, as they require the sun to be high in the sky. Winter colors are more muted. Summer months provide two types of lighting.

Light beams start to peek into the canyon March 20 and disappear October 7 each year.

Antelope Canyon is visited exclusively through guided tours, in part because rains during monsoon season can quickly flood the canyon. Rain does not have to fall on or near the Antelope Canyon slots for flash floods to whip through, as rain falling dozens of miles away upstream of the canyons can funnel into them with little prior notice.

On August 12, 1997, eleven tourists, including seven from France, one from the United Kingdom, one from Sweden and two from the United States, were killed in Lower Antelope Canyon by a flash flood. Very little rain fell at the site that day, but an earlier thunderstorm had dumped a large amount of water into the canyon basin, 7 miles (11 km) upstream.

The lone survivor of the flood was tour guide Francisco “Pancho” Quintana, who had prior swift-water training. At the time, the ladder system consisted of amateur-built wood ladders that were swept away by the flash flood. Today, ladder systems have been bolted in place, and deployable cargo nets are installed at the top of the canyon. At the fee booth, a NOAA Weather Radio from the National Weather Service and an alarm horn are stationed.

Despite improved warning and safety systems, the risks of injuries from flash floods still exist. On July 30, 2010, several tourists were stranded on a ledge when two flash floods occurred at Upper Antelope Canyon. Some of them were rescued and some had to wait for the flood waters to recede. There were reports that a woman and her nine-year-old son were injured as they were washed away downstream, but no fatalities were reported.

Salina, UT-Butch Cassidy RVP

Apr25

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.25.19-TRIPPING TO SALINA, UTAH

By 7:30 this morning we were up and about. We’re looking at a 163 mile jaunt to Salina, Utah.

By 9 am all the utilities were appropriately packed away and even the mirrors and windshield got a once over to insure a most enjoyable ride.

On our ride up here we saw some of the most beautiful scenery you could ask for, not to mention mountains and mountain ranges that rose over eleven-thousand feet.

Something unique was, what I think an ATV/Walking and biking trail. This trail ran parallel to the highway we were on (89). That’s it on the right side of the picture. It even has a center line running down the middle of it. Must get plenty of use, so many, here at this RVPark have one. Eventually it did end or it deviated from the road enough that we could not see it any longer.

Something else which was very prominent on the way here were these farms having these very long buildings, not much higher than 8-10 feet tall with absolutely no windows just a couple of huge fans at either end. We’re assuming they harbored either chickens or pigs, wish I know. If anyone knows the use for the buildings in the picture above please comment on it.

6954-We finally did arrive at the Butch Cassidy RVPark in Salina, UT. This is an RPI, which means we will pay but only $10.00 per night. You cannot live at home at that price. We’re here for seven nights. Yes, Butch is pat of the Sundance Kid twosome. Yea, it was small, but most likely, paid for. It probably sat on forty-acres and with a little bit of luck the roof did not leak. But NO! Butch wanted more. You know the story, he and Sundance began robbing banks in the late 1800s. Not being that successful they migrated to Bolivia, where their luck did not improve. After a short stay there they were hunted down and met their end. He could have stayed in Utah, run the farm, raised chickens, pigs, children and grandchildren, who knows! Never bite off more than you can chew…

St. Christopher’s CC Kanab, UT

Apr21

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

St. Christopher’s CC a Mission Church in Kanab, Utah.

4.21.2019

Originally called Offero, Saint Christopher, began as a pagan. He was born during the third century at Canaan, a region encompassing modern-day Israel. Did you know that he was a well-built, strong man and so tall that he was sometimes referred to as a giant? One day he met a holy hermit who guided travelers to the safe points where they could cross a dangerous river. Then took the place of the hermit but instead of just guiding travelers, he would often carry them across the river. He paid close attention to helping any small children.

Saint Christopher converted to Christianity through the teachings of the holy hermit. He was baptized as “Christoffero” which eventually led to the name Christopher. In AD250 the Roman Emperor Decius issued an edict for the suppression of Christianity. Christopher was one of many arrested and executed during these persecutions. He is represented in Christian Art, usually shown with his emblems, the Christ Child, a tree in bloom and a torrent. Saint Christopher is loved and honored in the churches both of the East and the West. In addition to being the patron and protector of all travelers, he is also invoked against storms and sudden death. July 25th is his feast day.

To honor Saint Christopher, there is a very welcoming church in Kane County Utah.

Saint Christopher’s Catholic Church is located in Kanab, known locally as “Little Hollywood” due to its history as a filming location for mostly western movies and television series, just north of the Arizona state line. Kanab was

first settled in 1864 and the town was founded in 1870. Situated in the “Grand Circle” area, Kanab is centrally located among Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim), Zion National Park, and Lake Powell. So, if you find yourself traveling through any of these areas, consider attending the 9am Sunday Mass at Saint Christopher’s Catholic Church ∙ 39 W 200 S ∙ Kanab, UT 84741 ∙ Phone: (435) 644-3414 ∙ Website: https://www.christthekingutah.org/.

Sunday is a great opportunity to visit Kanab and Saint Christopher’s Catholic Church, but there is also daily service Monday through Saturday at certain times of the year.

The church is easily located, just off the main road and highway close. The tall dark red brick steeple can be seen as your turn onto the street with the tall white cross on top. From the outside, the church is dark red brick and the exquisite stained glass windows can be viewed for the new church. (I was not able to see the interior.) Since the church is under construction, they are currently celebrating mass in the attached hall, which they have transformed beautifully.

They are very hospitable and welcome you from the time you enter the door. There is a guest book to sign and give you a bulletin, a welcome smile and handshake. This is one of the churches, that during tourist season, greets people from all over the world, so I suppose they have plenty of experience.

A handsome statue of Joseph is atop a marble and white wooden pillar and just behind the pulpit. The altar table is intricately detailed with an inlaid wooden cross and flowers and has two candles on top a white linen cloth. Behind the altar table is a simple, yet elegant crucifix hanging on the back wall. There are chairs for the ministers of the mass on each side of the crucifix along with a Credence Table. The left of the altar is adorned with a lovely statue of Mary atop a pillar. Another pulpit is just to the right of Mary along with a wooden stand that holds the days’ music numbers. Just to the left of the stand and along the left wall, is a is a framed window that has sliding doors and opens to the kitchen. The kitchen door is next to the window along with storage doors and the entrance.

(Back in the 1950’s a trailer with two rows
of seating was all this community had.
At present the Church is maintained and
supported by only twenty-five families.
The percentage of Catholics in Utah is only 6%. )

Father Rick Sherman was the presider for today’s mass and gives a great homily. The priests that service Saint Christopher’s Catholic Church are from Christ the King Catholic Church in Cedar City. They are dedicated and put many miles on their vehicles. Lord, bless the traveling priests and their faithful parishioners. Please give them this day the gift You gave Your chosen ones on the way to Emmaus: Your presence in their hearts, Your holiness in their souls, Your joy in their spirits. And let them see You face to face in the breaking of the Eucharistic bread. Amen.

(There is a very nice article written for the Intermountain Catholic, back in 2007 that has 3 photos of the church before renovations and was during the celebration of 50 years.

https://www.icatholic.org/article/st-christopher-church-kanab-marks-50-years-4113215)

“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Easter Eve- met new family.

Apr20

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.20.2019-Easter Eve

What a beautiful day. No Mass today since Easter is tomorrow. It doesn’t mean we have to bypass the pizza, beer and movie though. Carla picked up the movie Vice from Red Box. To our surprise we also met a very nice family just across the street from us.

Earlier this afternoon Carla and I were on the phone talking to Don and Joyce, family in Iowa, when Carla noticed this little toddler across the way helping her father wash his truck. We don’t often mix in much with the locals in a campground, since we know we’re only temporary, but this little girl was so intriguing.

Once we got off the phone I could not keep myself from taking a walk and complementing them on being such an awesome little family. They’re so young, probably in the late twenties or early thirties. Mom was out playing ball with her little girl. Later mom and Michelle came over and she and Scoots became good friends, Scoots has few good friends so we have to encourage this whenever possible.

Some even still have first and second mortgages. This family is lucky, the father has a reliable profession that will always have a strong demand for it. It’s always reassuring to know you can fall back on

I haven’t had a chance to meet the dad yet. They’re planning to be here for a few more days. At their age this life style is not that easy. We are fortunate with some savings and , of course, social security to help.

I’m still a firm believer that owning a home is actually not the beginnings of the American dream. It’s not easy to shoulder the responsibilities and expenses of home ownership not to mention all the other expenses a young family has to bear. It would be nice if the youth today would accept a new attitude that smaller is better. It’s so sad that so many in my generation have so little saved up for something stable if life should hand you a bad hand in the future.
I have some beautiful pictures from this afternoon and hope they’ll permit me to use them this week. As you can see , they did. Oh how I envy many of our friends who have grandchildren!


“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Bryce Canyon

Apr19

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

TRAVEL ITENERARY
March 22nd Las Vegas at Las Vegas TT Campground for 14 nights
April 5th St. George, Utah (119m) x13 nights (119m)
April 19th Kanab, UT at Crazy Horse RVP (80m)x7 nights (80m)
April 26th Salina, UT at RPI RVP(163m) x7 nights (163m)
May 2nd Moab, UT at KOA Campground (159m)x4 nights (159m)
May 6th Heber, UT Mountain Valley RVR (2 overnights) x7n 234m
May 16th Bend, OR TT (Overnights and stays TBD) (654m)(x7n)
June 5th Whaler’s Rest in Newport, OR.
June 26th leave Whaler’s Rest
*****************************************

4.19.2019 Bryce Canyon Park part of Zion.

This article is Courtesy of the National Park Service
Bryce Canyon National Park lies on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south central Utah.

Bryce Canyon National Monument (administered by the U.S. Forest Service) was originally established on June 8, 1923 to preserve the “unusual scenic beauty, scientific interest, and importance.”

The Visitor’s Center

On June 7, 1924, the monument’s name was changed to Utah National Park and it was transferred to the National Park Service. On February 25, 1928 Utah National Park was changed to Bryce Canyon National Park. Subsequent legislation enlarged the park to its current size of 35,835 acres.

The route we will follow up to, but not including MM11. Site 11 is still impacted with snow.

Bryce is famous for its unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah.

The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful calcium-rich mudstone of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called “hoodoos.”

Columns seen at the bottom of the picture are Hoodoos.

Tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name, these whimsically arranged rocks create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exciting and memorable walks and hikes imaginable.

As much as I like to pretend that Carla and I are climbing cliffs and leaning over them as well, it’s not true. What you see above is the type of climbing and walking we do most of the time. The National Park Service walkways are not generally this nice or this big, but they are paved

Ponderosa pines, high elevation meadows, and fir-spruce forests border the rim of the plateau and abound with wildlife. This area boasts some of the world’s best air quality, offering panoramic views of three states and approaching 200 miles of visibility. This, coupled with the lack of nearby large light sources, creates unparalleled opportunities for stargazing.

This Canyon is named after this couple, they discovered it and brought it to the attention of the public. Ebenezer and Mary Bryce.>….

One of the first questions people ask when visiting the rugged wilds of southern Utah is, “Who would live here?” The answer is, “Many different cultures over thousands of years have foraged, hunted and survived in this wilderness.”

This self guided tour we’re on for ten miles is divided into
individual sites and views. Without going into more detail than
necessary I’m attempting to entice you with a small smattering of images along this trip

Historic Resource Study
Introduction: Small by National Park standards, the 56.2 square miles of Bryce Canyon National Park occupy the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south-central Utah. The park is not a canyon. Rather, it is a spectacular series of more than a dozen amphitheaters, each of which is carved at least 1,000 feet into the chromatic limestone of the Paunsaugunt Plateau. …

Just a few more pictures to end this blog. Red Canyon and Bryce Canyon are as exciting, if not more exciting, than the Grand Canyon.

Tripping to one of the last viewing locations. Needless to say were going uphill and our elevation, right now, is over 8000 feet./font>

To the NPS’s Credit, this is what the viewing trails used to look like before they retrofit them with concrete

x x x

The final leg of our tour is around nine-thousand foot level and yes, snow abounds everywhere.


“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

orange-red

blue….

Red Canyon-Dixie Nat’l Forrest

Apr19

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.19.2019-Red Canyon, Dixie Forrest, Utah

We’ve been on the road about thirty minutes and are now approaching Red Canyon, which is part of the Dixie National Forrest and Zion National Park.

This area has had inhabitants for thousands of years. As in all areas like this water is at a premium if found at all. For them each day was a challenge for survival.

In the above picture the tall sentinel formations are called Hoodoos. Eventually Mother Nature will wear away the sand-stone rock substance at the bottom and in-between the two hoodoos.

This is not a Natural Bridge, definitely man-made. Same for the tunnel you will see in a couple of images.

Man-made, but it sure looks cool! Hard to believe the rock formation below.

Kanab, UT

Apr19

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.19.19-GOOD FRIDAY-EXPERIENCE KANAB CANYONS

Good Friday is a day of fast and abstinence. The last few days we’ve done so much “hanging around” spending another day doing nothing wasn’t that appealing. It is a special day and TV is usually at a minimum or nothing until at least 3pm. We decided to experience His majesty wonders by viewing the canyons in Kanab, UT.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kanab (/kəˈnæb/kə-NAB) is a city in and the county seat of Kane County, Utah, United States.^[4] It is located on Kanab Creek just north of the Arizona state line.

The road-side views on our way to Red Canyon were awesome.

This area was first settled in 1864 and the town was founded in 1870 when ten Latter-Day Saint families moved into the area.^[5] The population was 4,312 at the 2010 census.

Red Canyon Area:

We even had the opportunity to drive through two sand-rock tunnels to find ourselves here. The name “Red Canyon” comes from the heave concentration of iron minerals in the sand-rock itself.

Kanab is situated in the “Grand Circle” area, centrally located among Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Bryce Canyon National Park, the Grand Canyon (North Rim), Zion National Park, and Lake Powell.

Bryce Canyon Area:

The Bryce Canyon tour encompassed several stops in different locations. Each location offered a unique canyon character from the previous location, please read the blogs on these.

Other nearby attractions include Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park, the privately owned Moqui Cave, and the largest animal sanctuary in the United States, Best Friends Animal Society.

Some additional pictures of Bryce Canyon:

Locals refer to Kanab as “Little Hollywood” due to its history as a filming location for many movies and television series, prominently western, such as Stagecoach (1939), The Lone Ranger, Death Valley Days. Gunsmoke, Daniel Boone, El Dorado (1966), Planet of the Apes (1968), Mackenna’s Gold, Sergeants 3, WindRunner: A Spirited Journey, Western Union (1941), The Desperadoes (1943), In Old Oklahoma (1943), Buffalo Bill (1944), Westward the Women (1952), Tomahawk Trail (1957), Fort Bowie (1958), Sergeants Three (1962), Duel at Diablo (1966), Ride in the Whirlwind (1965), The Shooting (1966), and The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976).^[6]^[7]

Courtesy of Wikipedia

Bryce Canyon National Park lies on the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in south central Utah. Bryce Canyon National Monument (administered by the U.S. Forest Service) was originally established on June 8, 1923 to preserve the “unusual scenic beauty, scientific interest, and importance.” On June 7, 1924, the monument’s name was changed to Utah National Park and it was transferred to the National Park Service. On February 25, 1928 Utah National Park was changed to Bryce Canyon National Park. Subsequent legislation enlarged the park to its current size of 35,835 acres.

Bryce is famous for its unique geology, consisting of a series of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters carved from the eastern edge of the Paunsaugunt Plateau in southern Utah. The erosional force of frost-wedging and the dissolving power of rainwater have shaped the colorful calcium-rich mudstone of the Claron Formation into bizarre shapes including slot canyons, windows, fins, and spires called “hoodoos.” Tinted with colors too numerous and subtle to name, these whimsically arranged rocks create a wondrous landscape of mazes, offering some of the most exciting and memorable walks and hikes imaginable.

“Everything we were, we carry with us. Everything we will be, is calling to us, from the roads not travelled yet.” pjgrenier

Crazy Horse RVR, Kanab, UT

Apr18

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.21.2019-Crazy Horse RVR in Kanab, UT

Crazy Horse is a private campground. The owners have three dozen other resorts besides this one. Not being a Thousand Trails property means we have to pay, but it is worth every penny. We’ve been told they’re asking $550 a month for annuals.

This RVR has been newly acquired and renovations are going on seven days a week. For a change we have an excellent site.

Notice our neighbors, they’re very quiet. Very few drawbacks most notably would be very poor Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi is a problem in many campgrounds in this neck of the woods. The solution turns out to be expensive to purchase time on the campground Wi-Fi.

This is the check-in station. As you can see the parking outside is extremely spacious. Below is the signature signage of the resort. Very hard to drive by this monument.

Excellent signage and awesome views can be found in every corner of this park.

There’s always a pool. This one has been totally refurbished. Carla has rediscovered lilacs. Something that grow everywhere in New England, but nowhere down south.

Above and below are pictures from inside the Check-In center

Brand new pool table. This is the media center. Books abound here. At the other end of this building are hundreds of DVDs.

Roy Rogers and Dale Evans were customers of the previous owners, in days gone by.

“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Tripping to Kanab, UT (pictorial)

Apr18

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.19.2019-Tripping to Kanab, UT

We got up fairly early on this morning, don’t know why. The coach was already prepped and ready to go, so we took our time and enjoyed a simple breakfast and then by 9:30 we hit the road to Kanab. The picture below exemplifies the beauty of the road we were traveling, let alone the traffic density.

The views as you can see from the pictures above and below were just short of breathtaking.

Our sojourn east and a little north was completed in a little over ninety minutes.

Above is the view we have from our coach. Yes, for a change we got a corner lot. It’s not really a big deal but it is nice to have the extra real estate. The site was an easy putt-thru but we did have a problem with our surge-protector on this site. The campground has relatively new owners and they’re redoing quite a bit of it. Our surge-protector was telling us the source was not grounded, the manager showed us that it was. Then he realized that the junction box itself was not grounded. About a half hour later we were enjoying MSNBC for the first time in two weeks.

“Everything we were, we carry with us.

Everything we will be, is calling to us,

from the roads not travelled yet.” pjgrenier

DIVINE MERCY SUNDAY

Apr14

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HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

April 28, 2019

This is me climbing into the pulpit once again.
My blog/My option.
Read only if you’re looking for
a better chance for salvation.

This text is taken from the St. George Catholic Church letter in St. George, UT.
In a very short and concise manor Fr. Picos has done a great job
in telling the story of Divine Mercy Sunday.

Jesus spoke to St. Maria Faustina and said, my daughter, speak to the world of my inexhaustible mercy. I desire that this feast be a refuge and a shelter for all souls, especially for poor sinners. The very debts of my mercy will be opened that day. I will poor out a sea of graces upon those souls that will approach me on this day.

A great gift from Jesus to you.

According to this great promise, Jesus is offering all souls a chance for a new “Baptism” each year, giving everyone an opportunity to “wipe the soul clean.” If a soul taking advantage of this great gift in all sincerity and with proper contrition was to die after receiving Holy Communion, on the Feast of Mercy and before committing another sin, they would go immediately to heaven, without any time in Purgatory – regardless of past life.

The remarkable grace of the Feast of Mercy is also very much akin to the grace of Baptism. The Sacramental grace of Baptism received by an adult is not only the removal of original sin but is also the forgiveness of all personal sins and any punishment due to them, so the soul cleansed on the Feast of Mercy is like the soul of one newly baptized in the promises mentioned, however, Christ joined the forgiveness of all sins and punishment to the Holy Communion received on the Feast of Mercy.

In other words so far as that matter is concerned He raised it (the Holy Communion on the Feast of Mercy) to the rank of a “second Baptism.”

To fittingly observe the Feast of Mercy it should be celebrated on the Sunday after Easter. This Novena begins on Good Friday, for 2019 it’s on April 19th.

The Feast should be preceded by a novena of Chaplets to the Divine Mercy beginning on Good Friday. (Leaflets are available in churches). For the computer astute individuals you may goto:

Click here togo to the Divine Mercy Novena online

Most churches have a special Divine Mercy Mass scheduled for the Sunday after Easter, check or call the local parish church for more information.

Confession and Communion on that day (Mercy Sunday). Confession should be as close as possible to the Feast.

An Act of Mercy should take place, such as

Merciful Word- such as Forgiving and comforting.

Merciful Prayer- Prayers of Mercy for someone.

Merciful Deed- Any of the Corporal works of mercy (see below).

1. To feed the hungry;

2. to give drink to the thirsty;

3. to clothe the naked;

4. to harbor the homeless;

5. to visit the sick;

6. to visit the imprisoned;

7. to bury the dead.


“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Kolob Canyon Trail

Apr11

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Please take the time to leave a comment at the bottom of this blog. I relish the positive ones and will learn from the negative ones.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

March/April ITENERARY
March 22nd Las Vegas at Las Vegas TT Campground for 14 nights
April 5th St. George, Utah (119m) x13 nights (119m)
April 19th Kanab, UT at Crazy Horse RVP (80m)x7 nights (80m)
April 26th Salina, UT at RPI RVP(163m) x7 nights (163m)
May 2nd Moab, UT at KOA Campground (159m)x4 nights (159m)
May 6th Heber, UT Mountain Valley RVR (2 overnights) x7n 234m
May 16th Bend, OR TT (Overnights and stays TBD) (654m)(x7n)
June 5th Whaler’s Rest in Newport, OR.
June 26th leave Whaler’s Rest
*****************************************

4.11.2019

Kolob

Late Summer Storm in Kolob Canyons

This text is courtesy of the National Park Service

Awesome scenery don’t you think?

Welcome to Kolob Canyons
The Kolob Canyons section of Zion National Park is located at Exit 40 on Interstate 15, 40 miles north of Zion Canyon and 17 miles south of Cedar City.

A five-mile scenic drive along the Kolob Canyons Road allows visitors to view the crimson canyons and gain access to various trails and scenic viewpoints.

Even this kind of path isn’t that bad, if only it were not always going uphill.

Here in the northwest corner of the park, narrow parallel box canyons are cut into the western edge of the Colorado Plateau, forming majestic peaks and 2,000 foot cliff walls.

The sign says one-half mile but it honestly felt like two miles. Below,
Yea, we have walking sticks also, in the car.

Whether you come to view the panoramic landscape from our scenic drive, hike into one of our majestic canyons, or begin a multi-day adventure into the Zion Wilderness, Kolob Canyons has something special for everyone to experience.

I’m coming!!!

The NPS evidently found its nice walkways being drowned out by heavy downpours. To try to eliminate the problem they set up the path in square block allowing a space in between each square block for water to pass through… ingenious!

Kolob Canyons Visitor Center
All guests are required to stop at the Kolob Canyons Visitor Center to show an Interagency Park Pass or pay the Zion National Park entrance fee.

If Carla looks a little tired right now, you’re right, I think we both are.

Wilderness permits can be obtained here for backpacking campsites
and canyoneering routes in the park.

There is also a bookstore operated by the Zion Natl Park Forever Project.

Did you notice we’re still going uphill!

The views are so awesome it takes you attention off the job at hand,
walking without tripping. This is the reason we opted not to walk the Bright-Angel path to the bottom of the grand canyon. I can think of one or two other reasons as well.

These are the paths I don’t get excited about. A couple of years ago I would not have thought twice about this type of challenge, but not any more. Now I live with a fear of tripping over something or even my own two feet.

Did I mention we’re both getting a little tired of going uphill!!

Yup, still going uphill. On the bright side,
we’ve been told we’re almost there.

Carla finally reaches the top, I follow right after her.
There is another peak and observation point
but we’re just going to take their word on the views from there.

As you can see we’ve begun our final leg of this venture, the walk back.
It’s been an awesome experience, but we’re both anxiously looking fort our car.

The trip down is steep and carries it’s own trepidations, once again, tripping and falling.

Remember these guys? I won’t say any more. In a few minutes the car comes into view.
Ah! The ride home, heavenly!

You’ll have to blow it up on your computer to read the captions in the picture, but in short, it says that everything up on these hills might and someday will fall down to the ground. The left side of the picture is about a 900 ton rock that came down and fell on a truck. Nether the truck nor the driver did well that day.

Up and down this five-mile stretch of road you’ll find
road crews creating observation points and laying down
new pavement for generations to come to enjoy this venue.

Home is only a thirty minute ride but we enjoyed every mile of it.

“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Zion National Park

Apr8

To view Journals select “Journals” from the drop-down menu, and select the month and year.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.08.2019- Monday- Zion National Park

Trip to Zion

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This is Quail Lake. As you can see from the wall that confines it, it’s man-made. For an area that does not boast of many lakes, natural or man-made, this one is huge.

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Just a few scenic views of the area and the road to Zion. Our first stop will be Zion Lodge.

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We are approaching Zion National Park.

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Zion Lodge and check in center. It takes us about thirty minutes to get here from St. George. We’ll check in with this ranger, who vacations in Orlando, FL, using Carla’s park pass, and make our way to the Visitor’s center.

National Park Service is working diligently to create a venue very similar to what we saw in the Grand Canyon. It’s work in progress but so much has already been accomplished, especially the roads, walking areas and parking venues.

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Work construction going on in preparation for the Summer crowds. The roadways are very well marked as well as walkways and trail ways. We’re in a double-car shuttle here taking us to our first stop.

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Just a very small number of views we experienced on our trip to our first stop.

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The grotto will be our first walking tour. Yes, we did a lot walking today.

The Grotto.

It’s just a place, no lake and no waterfalls. But it’s not next door. No Uber either, foot power only.

So many vistas. I had over three-hundred pictures but could only use fifty of so.

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Every one of these venues are accessible but it’s always an uphill climb to get there. The path began as being very generous, that will change in a few minutes.

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Above is what the path will turn into. A gravel walkway with stone, roots and narrows to contend with.

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I mean to find out the significance of this tree. The bark on this tree has been twisted either by wind or water.

Move unbelievable vistas. This is all part of the Grotto.

A Ranger homestead. There are several in the area. Below is shuttle bus, just missed it. They come around every 15-20 minutes.

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From here we’ll look for trail signs for our next venue; Weeping Rock. n the meantime enjoy some of the many mountain views around here until we can figure out where we go next, it’s around here somewhere.

Okay, we found the trail. As always it goes uphill first.

Weeping Rock Trailhead

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In the distance you can see our destination, Weeping Rock. It’s about and quarter-mile away and, as always, it will be an uphill climb.

The National Park Service does such. Great job of making g these venues accessible. No much anyone can do about the uphill climbs. The paths are passable but not always paved. Everyone must pay attention to where they place their feet and a walking stick is always helpful. Above you can see primitive steps and below a state of the art people bridge, to move the millions of visitors along.

The trail, in sections, is very passable and as you can see below we do get to our destination.

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Looking away from the falls you can appreciate the effort the NPS has gone through to allow large groups of people enjoy these beautiful destinations. Below, however, it’s time for us to turn our attention to going back and catching another shuttle to take us to our car.

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The best part of leaving a particular venue, in most cases, is that it is usually a downhill walk. Be mindful, however, walking a steep grade downhill produces its own set of precautions.

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Finally we get to that beautiful bridge again and those primitive steps.

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We take one last look at Weeping Rock and say good-bye. It’s time to try to find the trail to the Temple of Sinawava.

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Temple of Sinawava / River Walk

The above two climbers are climbing the rock mountain shown below. If you look closely you might see two very small speck at the dead center of the picture; that’s them.

Every hike begins with our trying to find the trail to hike. It’s not generally that difficult but just wanted he text to fit the picture. Below is Sinawava. t looks close but it’s about a very slow quarter-mile hike.

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Yup, we found our path. Carla takes the first steps. Below is Sinawava also.

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This begins with the Riverdale. We’ll be walking along the Virgin River.

We cross the Virgin River and yes, Carla is looking a little tired. A great deal of walking today, and we’re feeling it. In the next few pictures are scenes of the mountains we be seeing on our walk.

The Lower Emerald Pool

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“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Tripping to St. George, UT

Apr6

To view Journals select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

4.05.2019-Traveling to St. George, UT

The two yellow specs are actually on the windshield, I won’t go into details.

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Once again I apologize on some of the pictures being a little fuzzy.

The roads were great and eventually we saw signs for the Utah Visitor’s center. The visitors center is actually part of the Dixie Center, a museum of the animals of the WORLD.

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There’s always a gift store. Yes, we did buy there also.

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“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

St. George, Utah

Apr6

To view the Journal for APRIL click on this link GOTO April Journals…or click on the “header at the top of this page, select “Journals” for the drop-down menu. If pictures appear missing, use your “refresh” button.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

March/April ITENERARY

March 22nd Las Vegas at Las Vegas TT Campground for 14 nights
April 5th St. George, Utah (119m) x13 nights (119m)
April 19th Kanab, UT at Crazy Horse RVP (80m)x7 nights (80m)
April 26th Salina, UT at RPI RVP(163m) x7 nights (163m)
May 2nd Moab, UT at KOA Campground (159m)x4 nights (159m)
May 6th Heber, UT Mountain Valley RVR (2 overnights) x7n 234m
May 16th Bend, OR TT (Overnights and stays TBD) (654m)(x7n)
June 5th Whaler’s Rest in Newport, OR.
June 26th leave Whaler’s Rest
***************************************

4.06.2019..A Brief History of the Establishment of St. George, Utah
courtesy of utahsdixie.com

The Virgin River Anasazi were St. George’s earliest residents, inhabiting the area from approximately 200 B.C. to 1200 A.D. They left behind rock art and ruins of their dwellings. The reason for their departure is unknown to this day. The Pauite tribe arrived between 1100 and 1200 A.D., utilizing the area as a hunting ground for deer, rabbits and other animals. The Pauites also grew crops along the riverbeds, including corn, wheat and melons. In 1776, the Dominguez-Escalante Party became the first recorded European-Americans to visit the area. Fur trappers and government survey parties followed.

In 1854, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (also known as the LDS Church, or Mormon Church) established an Indian mission in Santa Clara, two miles northwest of present-day St. George. The church set up experimental farms in the St. George Valley in 1857-1858. In October 1861, church leaders called 309 families to establish the Cotton Mission. After the outbreak of the Civil War that same year, LDS Church President Brigham Young felt it necessary to grow cotton, if possible. Many of these families assigned to settle the area hailed from the South and possessed the necessary skills to grow cotton and establish a community. Paying homage to the nickname of their former home, these settlers called the region “Utah’s Dixie.”

St. George, Utah was named in honor of Mormon apostle George A. Smith, also known as the “Potato Saint” because he urged early settlers to eat raw, unpeeled potatoes to cure scurvy. Smith did not participate in the town’s settlement, but personally selected many of the pioneers that originally settled the area. The first years in St. George proved difficult for early residents due to challenges such as flooding, lack of culinary water and scorching summer heat. A cotton factory erected soon after the settlers’ arrival produced off and on for approximately 50 years, but overall, cotton proved an unsuccessful venture. The area also produced silk as early as 1874, but its production did not contribute significantly to the area’s economic prosperity. Other early pioneer endeavors included the production of molasses, dried fruit and even wine.

St. George became the county seat of Washington County in 1863. That same year, construction began on the St. George LDS Tabernacle, which was finished in 1875. In 1871, work began on the St. George LDS Temple, which became a cooperative effort uniting many Southern Utah communities. Mormon Apostle Daniel H. Wells dedicated the temple on April 6, 1877. It was the first temple constructed west of the Mississippi River. Undergoing significant renovations in the late 1930s and mid 1970s, the structure is the longest continuously operated Mormon Temple in the world.

In 1911, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of St. George’s settling, the Dixie Academy building was constructed. The LDS Church operated the academy until 1933, when it became a two-year college within Utah’s higher education system. The new Dixie College campus opened in the southeastern corner of the city in the 1960s. Today, Dixie State College boasts an enrollment of approximately 5,200 and features several four-year programs, including Business Administration and Computer and Information Technology.

Today St. George is the largest city in Washington County and the eighth-largest city in Utah. Its metropolitan area is home to nearly 120,000 residents. It has consistently ranked as one of the fastest growing areas in the nation for the last two decades, even surpassing Las Vegas in per capita growth. St. George has become a popular retirement destination as well a respite for those seeking a second home in a more moderate climate. New residents are attracted to St. George’s scenic beauty and its close proximity to unparalleled recreation, including Zion National Park, Lake Powell and Grand Canyon National Park.

St. George is a city, not as big as El Paso but still big. It has everything. We’ll be going out to eat later today at Texas Roadhouse. Hopefully I’ll have a picture or two of the city later. We’ve already visited Best Buy and Roadhouse later. The pictures above are of the Visitor’s Center of St. George. It’s also, as I’ve mentioned before, a museum on the animals of the World, including, of course, Utah.


“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, f
rom the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

KOA St. George, UT-nice RV Park

Apr6

To view the Journals select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

Located SW portion of Utah.

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The beginning of another sunset.

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In season this campground is full to capacity.

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The roadways in the campground are all paved. The campsites themselves are of crushed stone.

Carla makes friends with a single camper from Alberta, CA

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The view from our coach. Below one of many bathhouses.

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Entrance to the campground, plenty of space. Above nightfall.

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“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

Sam’s Town, Las Vegas, NV

Apr6

To view the Journals select the month and year your looking for.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

After having an absolutely delicious breakfast we just had to take a walk. Getting not this place was the hard part. There are places we can’t get to and they require a special “key.”

It’s like a members only perk. We did have one person that offered to let us in on her card, but we opted to play by the rules.

There is literally no need to leave this building. This garden alone is a great place to sit and meditate on the moneys You may have lost in the casino.

Insider the garden area are an assortment of small businesses and franchises; ice cream, subway and a slew of others. I forgot to mention there’s a bowling alley and a multi-screen theater as well.

OH!, there’s, of course, a casino.

And more casino!

We enjoyed are stay and came back a few days later to enjoy another breakfast. You’re right, we did lose some money here, about $42.00. I think we got away cheap.


“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier

We visit the Fashion Mall

Apr2

To view the Journals select “Journals” for the drop-down menu.

HAPPINESS is to have EVERYTHING
you NEED,
NOT the NEED to have EVERYTHING

March/April ITENERARY

*****************************************

4.02.2019-
Yes, there is a Microsoft store in the Fashion Mall. This place was huge. Possibly a little smaller than the city of Titusville, FL. Hundreds of shops and kiosks. We needed to find a schematic on where everything is located. And there is was, an information kiosk. This venue was about eight feet tall and two feet wide and totally interactive. We’d never experienced anything so easy to operate. goto-Fashion Show Mall OH! We did find the Microsoft store and the young staff girl was able to resuscitate the surface back to life again.

The longer we stay here the more this town is growing on us. Another venue popped up on our way a Cathedral.

This was so awesome, except in a vein attempt to find our way to its location we failed. We will have to put this venue off to the next time we visit Vegas.


“Everything we were, we carry with us. 
Everything we will be, is calling to us, 
from the roads not travelled yet." pjgrenier