Saturday, July 5, 2014

Alaska Adventure–Day 1

Chandler AZ to Panguitch UT

This morning we started the grand adventure.  The first hour was spent just getting across the valley but fortunately the traffic was almost none existent.  Shortly, we were climbing in elevation and we quickly left the Saguaros behind and were in the pine forest.  After a quick stop for gas in Flagstaff it was on across the Navajo Nation where we entered the beautiful red rock country of northern AZ.  The area around Marble Canyon is some of the most beautiful country around, especially when the sky is full of white puffy clouds like today. 

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Our plan was to stay at a BLM area north of Kanab where we had stayed last year.  However, as soon as we pulled in we realized we were getting into a sand trap.  Luckily we were able to get out without getting stuck.  We pressed on north finally finding an RV Park in Panguitch, UT.  While registering, someone came in holding a roof vent and said it fell off our RV!  Sure enough, the vent broke and fell off.  We were very lucky it happened when it did as we had been driving in rain for the last hour or so.  With no hope of finding a replacement in a small town, it was time to do find a MacGyver solution before the rain returned.  After some serious engineering calculations using advanced Calculus plus some differential equations we came up with a solution…. Isn’t pretty but will keep the rain out tonight.

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Todays Stats:

Miles driven: 442 miles
Hours on road: 10 hours, 20 minutes
Gas prices: $3.72, $3.83

Route:

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1 comment:

  1. Hopefully it's a little cooler where you are now. The valley has really been baking this year. Hey - can you explain to me how you did your map? I've been trying to figure out how to do that and then get it on the blog.

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