We tried something different this year – Zion National Park!
We were slightly concerned with the experience as the current administration had cut funding to U.S. national parks.
Kid 1 is going to Denver, so it’s the three of us. Some are looking forward to doing Angel’s Landing – a hike that’s been named one of the scariest hikes in the U.S. I prefer a hike where the risk of falling to my death is zero.
We drove to Eagle, CO and spent the night with friends.
Sunday – March 17
After a quick breakfast in Grand Junction with family, we headed to our first stop – Arches National Park. We have seen the Rocky Mountains plenty of times, but never experienced the mountains, canyons, and dessert terrain of Utah. The weather was prefect!
With limited time at Arches, we quickly hiked to the Double Arch…
then drove to where you could view the Delicate Arch.
When we were walking back to our car, I noticed a Kansas Jayhawk sticker on the car in front of ours, and it turns out the people who parked in front of us and behind us were from Kansas! 🌻
Next stop – Goblin Valley State Park to play disc golf. Goblin Valley is in the middle of nowhere Utah. Literally.
Desolate, Quiet. Spotty cell service. Goblin Valley is often compared to Mars, with rock formations that look like goblins, steep canyons, and plenty of sand.
See the kid standing precariously on the edge?
More photos of Goblin Valley.
After 18 holes, we left Goblin Valley about 7 pm – which means arrival in Zion just before midnight. 😞
Except… we never made it to Zion.
We hit a deer (or something… we’re not sure). No one was hurt (except for the animal and the car). We stopped in a parking lot and looked under the car. A steady stream of liquid was leaking from the car. Later we found out both radiators had been busted. We drove to a gas station about a block back and parked there. After driving for just a few minutes, the car dashboard lit up with warnings and alerts – the engine was overheating. 😭
The gas station was closed, so we left the car in the parking lot and walked to the closest motel (there were two in town) and got a room.
The spacious motel room was clean and looks like it was remodeled recently. It’s a “deluxe” room with one queen bed and one king bed. The beds were comfortable and with enough pillows and blankets. The shower had hot water and the toilet worked (both very important). All the outlets worked and there was a small, “slightly cool” fridge. There was also a coffee maker. I normally would not drink “hotel coffee,” but there is no other alternative in this town.
We won’t get hotel points. But we’re only out $129 a night.
We are in a tiny town called Bicknell, population 337.
Monday – March 18
The car was parked at Howie’s gas station and was towed to the local mechanic shop. The mechanic’s name is Mike. Howie is Mike’s brother. The motel had one employee who said he is the only employee because he can’t get anyone to work. He was in construction in Las Vegas before a buddy said “hey if you want to get out of Vegas, there’s a motel here you could buy.” We soon learned all kinds of things about the residentst, and they were all friendly.
The motel clerk drove Sc to the mechanic shop. Mike wasn’t there, but another mechanic was. He said everyone is out on other jobs and he is the only one there.
In this small town, there are limited food options: a gas station and two restaurants. Of the restaurants, one is Indian Tacos, the other is Filipino food, but only open 11 am – 3 pm. There is no coffee shop in town. 😱 The closest town that has more food options is Torrey… eight miles away. There are no Ubers or taxis. 😆
We walked to the gas station and cleaned out the pre-made sandwiches. They had chicken strips and tater tots under a warmer, and a “make your own burger” station.
I did find 3 cutie oranges and some cheese sticks. The gas station had a huge selection of beer, but no wine.
The woman working was very nice. She said if we needed to get around and don’t have a car, most people ask the motel and the motel staff will call their friends and family to drive people around. 😆 She said she has family that works in Torrey (the bigger town with a disc golf course), but they are working today. She said maybe the Mechanic shop has a car for us to use. 🤔
Here’s what we ended up with:
Sc is on the phone with our insurance most of the morning. Usually in this situation, our insurance would tell us which auto repair shop to use and we would be given a rental car. There is one mechanic shop in this town and the closest place to rent a car is three hours away in Grand Junction or Salt Lake City. To get adequate help, we had to be transferred to an agent that specialized in “rural incidences.”.
Late morning, we took a walk around town. Many things are closed on Monday. We saw the school, library, and community garden. A section of retail stores on the main road seemed like they had seen better days. We passed by this window.
We are not sure what was going on. A male mannequin with no pants. A naked femal mannequin. Two skeletons, one hanging from the ceiling. The store appeared to be closed. Why leave these items in the window in their current state? I mean… what in the world?
Lots of people had horses. Also walked to the “edge” of town…
By Monday afternoon, parts for the car had been ordered but won’t arrive until Wednesday at the earliest. We realized we will not make it to Zion. We called my Aunt and Uncle who we just had breakfast with on Sunday morning in Grand Junction. They agreed to pick us up on Tuesday and drive us back to Grand Junction. We’ll pick up a rental car for Kid 2 and I to head home. The plan is for Sc to stay in Grand Junction until the car is done, then catch a ride back to Bicknell with my Uncle. He’ll pick up the car and then head home from there.
We are all hungry now – so we walked to Shaun & Len’s Fil’Am Fusion.
The food was really good, and a lot of it: teriyaki chicken, orange chicken, rice and noodles, and egg rolls. We all got free samples before we even ordered. The owner has been in the restaurant business for 17 years and introduced us to her family that works there – her son and his fiancé. She used to live in Torrey. She asked where we were from, and said tourists from all over the world stay in town when visiting the National Parks. The people who were just in were from Canada. We explained our story, and she said that happened to her son… not the son that is working there, her other son. She had bought him a car and a few days later he hit a deer and the car was toast.
Tuesday – March 19
We check out of the motel and headed to Grand Junction. We stoped to eat in Green River, CO. After picking up the rental car, we head to a hotel downtown. There was a weird sloshing sound in the car every time we stopped or turned a corner – like water was moving around somewhere in the dashboard. The boys had decided to play a disc course nearby, so we decided to see if the sound continued and if it did, we’d take the car back in the morning. The boys brought home dinner.
Our original plan was to drive home on Wednesday. That changed after checking the weather. There was a blizzard warning along I-70, and a high wind warning along State highway 50, the south route.
We decided to stay in Grand Junction on Wednesday and head back Thursday. By that time, Sc would be heading back to Bicknell to pick up the car.
Wednesday – March 20
The sloshing sound continued, so we had to trade the rental car in for a new one.
We met up with my aunt and cousins and enjoyed a hike at Colorado National Monument. Beautiful weather!
My aunt reminded of the time she, my mom, my sister and I hiked it 40 years ago. The weather changed abruptly and we ended up in a snowstorm – unprepared! We couldn’t see the trail, and my sister and I ended up crying. I had forgotten about that!
Lunch was at a the hip Hot Tomato Pizza in Fruita.
Car parts update: did not arrive.
Thursday – March 21
Sc headed over to my Aunt and Uncle’s house, and Kid 2 and I headed east. We stopped in Colby to spend the night. Played a round at the disc golf course.
Car parts update: The parts arrived but they were damaged. We re-ordered them and hopefully they will arrive on Friday.
Friday – March 22
The kid and I had time, so we took the backroads to Cedar Bluff Lookout on Unnamed Road in Ransom, KS.
It’s always fun to veer off the interstate and see the sights. Some of my favorite stops in Kansas include Mount Sunflower, Castle Rock, Mushroom Park, and Faris Caves.
Car parts update: Did not arrive.
We arrived home and Sc still in Grand Junction.
Saturday – March 23
Car parts update: Did not arrive, and no mail on Sunday.
Sc still in Grand Junction.
Monday – March 24
Car parts update: Parts arrived! The car was fixed this afternoon.
Tuesday – March 25
Sc was driven back to Bicknell to pick up the car. Finally started the drive home.
Wednesday, March 26
Sc arrived back home with car. While the car is drivable, it still needs significant body work done. We have an appointment on Monday.
One Kansas Girl 