Let us be lovers we’ll marry our fortunes together.
I’ve got the map here in my bag.
We’re back on the road looking for outdoor adventure, camping fun and the great eateries along the way. It was June 2020 when I looked around with Covid reality and said no one is going to miss me. Took off for a month to northern CA and had such a great time, decided to to do the same every year until retirement. After seriously asking myself what I was waiting for – 67 when I don’t want to get off the couch – I knew the time to start was now. How many summers we got left anyways?
I call it the We’ve All Gone to Look for America Tour. This year’s 5th anniversary destination: Southern Utah/Northern Arizona. The goal was to hit less popular but still gorgeous places. First stop: Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada, east of Las Vegas. With 40,000 acres of bright red Aztec sandstone this park offers amazing views, hikes, and petroglyphs dating back 2,000 years. A toasty 96 degrees when we arrived – head out early for hiking, find shade in the afternoon, and enjoy the heck out of the balmy evenings with off-road bike rides and bouldering fun.
From there a stop at Kodachrome Basin State Park, named for how the rocks change color as the sun plays on them throughout the day. More wonderful hikes, amazing views, and not a lot of people. Camping tip#1: consider places other than national parks and you might be pleasantly surprised.
I’d hoped to entertain you along the way like last year with easy but delicious camp recipes cooked over my new Coleman two-burner stove. That is until it broke, four days out. Camp tip #2: always bring a small backup stove for coffee survival. At least you can also make ramen to pour over spinach for a decent dinner.
After a windy drive along scenic Hwy 12 (highly recommended top gorgeous drive in the U.S.)…
…ended up at Calf Creek Recreation Area – a must see.
Between Escalante and Boulder, this area is fabulous for outdoor adventure. The hike out to Lower Calf Creek falls was outstanding through a huge river canyon with this amazing falls at the end. If you are 62 and over, make sure to get your lifetime National Parks (and federal lands) Senior Pass and stay at this first come-first served campsite for only $7.50 a night!
Just up the road in Boulder is a must stop dinner destination – Zagat-rated Hells Backbone Grill and Farm. Creative, local, delicious and beautiful, specials change daily depending on what is available from the farm. Such cute plates and farm garnishes. Open for dinner only Thursday – Monday 4PM – 9 PM.
Don’t miss Kiva Koffeehouse closer to camp, a Nepenthe-like destination with coffee, pastries and lunch. Open Wed – Sunday 8:30 AM – 4 :00PM. What a location! It was closed when I visited but you can still park in the lot and happy hour on your own to an awe-filled view.
Next day, pack a to-go lunch of Trader Joes gigantic canned beans that you brought with you, combined with a packaged cabbage salad available from most grocery stores…
…and head out to Spooky and Peek-a Boo canyons for another amazing hike. To reach these famous, yet low-traveled slot canyons, drive 24 miles on a washboard road, or better yet join ROAM on a jeep tour for a couple hours like I did. The trails are on the All-Trails app, but it’s easy to get lost. I would have never gone through these tight spaces without someone assuring me I’d get out the other end. Highly recommended.
Next time we face the masses with a 6-day camp at Zion National Park.
-photos contest of LSIC
Woodside man and dog injured in hit-and-run on dangerous stretch of Woodside RoadMarch 19, 2026 10:39 am