July 25 – 27, 2017

My appointment for the solar system install is for Friday, August 4th in California.  This isn’t the optimum time of the year to travel across western Colorado, Utah and Nevada.  Daytime temps were high 90s and even above 100.  So I wanted to get across this area as quickly as I could and get to the Sierra Nevada Mountains where it would be cooler.

Buena Vista to Delta, CO

Tuesday morning I left Buena Vista headed south on Hwy 285, at Salida turning west on Hwy 50.  This is a nice drive that passes thru the Gunnison River Canyon and along Curecanti National Recreation Area.  I had a reservation for Tuesday night at Four Seasons River Inn & RV Park.  This was my first really bad experience with an RV Park!  The park is not well maintained.  There were many old units that were poorly maintained and appeared to be long time residents.  The funny thing is, when I called to confirm that had a site available, they asked what year my trailer was!!!

I had a pull thru site, but it was not level so I still had to unhook the Nash in order to level it.   Once I got set up, I discovered the 30 amp service was not working – bummer!  I thought I was going to have to move to a different site, but I found a 50 to 30 amp adapter at a vacant site.  I tried that and the 50 amp service at my site worked.  So I didn’t have to move.  A lesson learned – from now on before I unhook the Nash I plug in to check that the electric service is good!

Delta, CO to Green River, UT

The next morning I continued on Hwy 50 to Grand Junction where I boarded I-70 West to Green River, UT There, I had a reservation for one night at Shady Acres RV Park.  Had a pull thru site which was actually level, so didn’t have to unhook.  Services worked well and the wifi was good enough for email, checking facebook, etc.  Nice for a stop over for a day or two.

Green River, UT to Delta, UT

Thursday morning I continued west on I-70.  There was some interesting scenery and overlooks along this route.  Just west of Green River, the interstate goes up the eastern ridge and across the San Rafael Swell.  I stopped at the several overlooks along the way to enjoy the views.  

Approaching the San Rafael Swell

Eastern incline of San Rafael Swell

About 1,000 feet of elevation is gained climbing to the top of the swell.  Driving across, there are numerous canyons and different types and colors of rock.

Black Dragon Canyon

My favorite is the yellow sandstone

Shortly after descending the San Rafael Swell, I exit I-70 to continue on US Hwy 50 to Delta.  After crossing over a 6500 ft pass, I descended into the Great Basin and Delta. Although Delta is in high desert, it is an agricultural area with irrigation from the Sevier River.

Thursday night I stayed at Antelope Valley RV Park.  I found this to be a very nice park.  The sites were large with gravel RV pads, plus a concrete pad to park another vehicle.  When you arrive you pay for your site and then drive through and select which site you want.  The site I picked was level so I didn’t need to unhook.  This is always nice when just stopping over for the night as it saves time getting on the road the next day.  I also had two nice shade trees and backed up to a field.  This would be a nice area to return to in the spring or fall when it isn’t so hot.

Nice to have some shade!

Next day, I continue across the Great Basin.