USA 2018 - Las Vegas, St George, Bryce, Kanab, Yellowstone, Moab: SUV + RV trip – mosquitoes in the North, storms in the South
Nine Bretons in the USA from June 24 to July 20, 2018: Greenery and mosquitoes in the North, heat and storms in the South
Choosing the trip:
After returning from the USA in 2014 (travel journal here), it was clear we’d go back, this time with the firm intention of bringing our kids. ๐
2015 was the year of Scotland (travel journal here), 2016 was a work year, and 2017 was the discovery of Aragon in Spain (travel journal here)… Meanwhile, our kids’ age still seemed like a hurdle for this kind of trip. The long wait turned out to be an advantage, letting us refine the project and rally others: what started as a two-week trip for four turned into three weeks for nine!! JF’s parents (M&P, who’d already been in 2014) and JF’s brother (C&D&Y) joined our little family (C&JF&A&L)!!๐ After plenty of family discussions, route tweaks, travel journal reads, and advice from VF (plus some specialized books like Photographing the Southwest by Laurent Martrรจs), we made up our minds—fully aware of the constraints—and split the trip in two:
- First week, just the four of us in an SUV + hotels, looping from LV (Valley of Fire, Saint George, Bryce, Kanab), focusing on rocky, sandy, and colorful hikes:
- Followed by two weeks with nine people in 2 RVs + campgrounds, as close to nature as possible in the parks (Snow Canyon, Kodachrome, Yellowstone, Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse, Monument Valley, Grand Canyon):
๐Before going further, we want to thank the forum members who took the time to answer our questions. Your patience and kindness are amazing! We might forget someone, but thank you all: Jpg13, Mlefebvre, Kast13,Glll2012New, PCecile, Aquilegia, Adumas4, Ju45, Mycovtt, Natb72, Soula1, Orionide, Simonic, Hiacinthe, etc.Traveling with nine people (ages 9 to 76, including three kids!!) requires some serious logistics and near-perfect timing to avoid wasting time. The plan went off without a hitch๐… well, almost—we’ll get into the details later…๐๐ดโโ ๏ธ๐ In the end, we came back enchanted and happy!! ๐The family aspect played a big part, but we also discovered spots that were much less crowded, definitely less known to the general public and the hordes of Asian tourists… The kids returned with stars in their eyes, and the adults with just as many memories (plus around 1,200 photos and 130 GB of GoPro video to sort through)!!๐ We’re already feeling the itch to go back—a Denver loop is starting to take shape…๐
Thoughts on the Americans we met and places we visited: They haven’t changed since 2014… Still cool, optimistic, and smiling, always ready to strike up a conversation and offer help—even without the lure of our tourist dollars. (Only two cold locals at Monument Valley clearly made little effort to help us.) We noticed a few changes in the parks๐: some infrastructure was less well-maintained (wobbly wooden walkways, for example), French info pamphlets disappeared from entrance huts, and there were fewer rangers (Lee’s Ferry ranger station was closed). These changes are likely due to Trump’s restrictive policies toward national parks. On the economic side, gas prices rose by 30% since 2014, now around 0.85 € per liter, and with the current exchange rate, conditions are much less favorable for European tourists than in 2014. But this area is so beautiful—too bad Americans have such an idiot for a president!๐
The flights: Round-trip Paris CDG to Las Vegas LAS Roissy to Los Angeles with Air Tahiti Nui, then American Airlines for Los Angeles to Las Vegas. The A340s were impeccable, and service was great with Air Tahiti Nui (the tiare flower given at boarding), and no complaints about AA either.๐
The hotels: All booked in advance, either through Hotels.com or directly on the hotel’s website (like the Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas). No surprises, everything met expectations.๐ It’s a real plus for a family of four to have two beds in every room… Still rare in France.
The campgrounds: Except for one night at Lee’s Ferry, all were booked from France through NPS, Xanterra, and KOA sites. No surprises here either—everything met expectations and was well-organized (fire rings and tables at every site, for example).๐
The vehicles:
First week: Four people in a GMC Yukon XL from HERTZ, at Las Vegas airport for 327 €, unlimited miles, second driver, and insurance. A typically American beast—355 hp, seven seats: it’s long, big, wide, and tall๐ฎ๐๐!! Impeccable condition, quiet, super comfortable with tons of safety features and gadgets (like weather updates tied to GPS!!), and it averaged about 12 L/100 km in 2WD (in 4WD, we nearly hit 19 L on the Stukumpah Road…). A total win thanks to the HERTZ GOLD card, following Jpg13’s advice (Jean-Pierre, you’re my idol!!๐). It let us skip the counter lines (we didn’t even stop there!), pick up the car, and leave the parking lot in under seven minutes… Even less time for the return!
Second and third weeks: Nine people in two RVs. A 30-foot RV + a 25-foot RV from CRUISE AMERICA in Las Vegas for 5000 €, unlimited miles, kitchenware, and linens/towels/comforters.
A love story in 2014 with this same agency, but unfortunately, this year was much more mixed: aging RVs, ineffective AC in the C30, a leak in the C25’s skylight, a leak in the C25’s toilet drain valve (imagine the dump every time we opened the drain plug…๐ ๐), late delivery of both RVs (after 5 PM, though the contract said 4 PM max), abnormal wear on the front tires (we’d discover that later๐ ), trouble closing the door, etc.In short, a disappointment.๐
Note that other rental companies (El Monte and Road Bear) are probably gaining market share—we saw a lot of their vehicles on the road, and they offer much newer models (at least on the outside) for similar prices…๐
But setting aside those issues, the vehicles still did their job: letting us sleep as close to nature as possible in the parks and enjoy beautiful sunrises/sunsets with family campfires and marshmallows flambรฉed with Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Honey๐!!๐ Also worth noting: Cruise America’s solid roadside assistance (we’ll talk more about that later), and how easy it was to drive these beasts—nearly 10 meters long! (Our walkie-talkies were super handy for communication between the two RVs.)
And for the last day, a Ford Transit 12-seater from Hertz, at Las Vegas airport for 145 € for 24 hours. Perfect for a day with nine people and nine suitcases + nine bags!! Everything fit in the trunk, and it let us explore LV independently (including a trip to the outlet) for less than three taxis would’ve cost…๐There you have it—the scene is set! If you’re interested in the rest, feel free to join in. The travel journal is done on the computer, and we’re up to day 11 for photos… We should be posting daily!!๐
See you soon. Christelle & JF
Once there, the pink shuttle drops us off at the hotel where we booked a family room with a mezzanine (still pretty rare in France).
We have an apรฉritif, scarf down our sandwiches, review our road book, and charge our devices, etc. We also watch *Back to the Future III*, which takes place mostly in the Wild West, especially Monument Valley.
On our seats, we find a pillow, a blanket, and a kit with earplugs, an eye mask, headphones, a wipe, and socks. The flight goes smoothly with just a few minor bumps. Two meals are served, and snacks are available at the back of the plane (watch out—lots of coconut-based stuff, it’s Air Tahiti!).
We only sleep 1 or 2 hours and enjoy the movies and games on the personal screens. Along the way, we admire the icy expanses of Greenland and fly over Las Vegas (we could’ve parachuted down to save time).
We land in Los Angeles only 5 minutes late, but the control tower gave the wrong gate—we wait 25 minutes to deplane, and of course, it’s the farthest gate in the international terminal! ๐ After that, it’s a mad dash: immigration at the kiosks, then a short line to see an agent (a few questions), luggage pickup (which takes a while), customs (a few more questions), and dropping off our bags. Security is super quick—the kids don’t need to take off their shoes, and we all go through the small scanner together. Then we sprint to the back of Terminal 4 to find our plane... ๐คช which isn’t at the gate listed on our tickets! After a few minutes of searching, we finally find it!! There are 13 minutes left before boarding starts—just enough time to hit the restroom!
The kids fall asleep right away and aren’t bothered by the strong turbulence or the braking on landing. We take the shuttle to pick up our luggage (which takes forever), then the shuttle to the rental car area. The driver loads our bags and gives us a sales pitch for Las Vegas.
With the Hertz Gold card, the car is already waiting for us in the parking lot—it’s huge (a GMC Yukon XL)! This card is such a comfort, thanks to Jpg13 for the tip!
Our GPS refuses to help us find the hotel, so we end up using Maps.me on the tablet.
Annwen and Louenn are already back to sleep! We arrive at the Super 8 in Nellis. A snack and a cake from our bags, a shower, and off to bed! It’s 5:30 AM in France...
At 8:20 a.m., we started the Seven Wonders loop. But the heat got the better of us! Fire Wave and Pink Canyon wore us out, and after just two wonders, we turned back—it was too hot. We needed time to adjust… The day before, we were still enjoying our 20ยฐC (68ยฐF) Breton weather! By the time we got back to the car, it was already 100ยฐF (~38ยฐC)!!!๐ดโโ ๏ธ
The Visitor Center offered a refreshing and educational break (with lots of stuffed animals and terrariums housing some pretty snakes), plus a cute chipmunk behind the glass. Under the blazing sun—43ยฐC (109ยฐF) on the thermometer—we didn’t even have the energy for the short walk to Elephant Rock. ๐ดโโ ๏ธ
We got back to the hotel by 9 p.m. but were too tired to go back to the pool as planned!
Before bed, JF downloaded his photos and videos from the day onto the laptop. Everything *seemed* fine…๐๐
The trail alternates between rocky and sandy, often in full sun but sometimes shaded by a few trees. On the sand, we spot lots of wavy tracks that we assume are from snakes!! Later, after visiting a visitor center, we learn they’re actually from lizards—specifically, their tails!! Ah, JF’s "snake-phobia"!
Once we arrive at the site, we enjoy the peace and beauty of the landscape for 45 minutes.
We get back to the car at 10 a.m., and it’s 32ยฐC (90ยฐF). It’s pretty bearable now that we’re acclimated...๐
Annwen and Louenn proudly take the wheel of the 4x4 for a few meters. We spot wild turkeys on the road and a peacock in the fancy properties of Leeds.
We return to the hotel to have lunch in the cool (shredded carrots/salad/cheddar/fruit) and go for a swim (with a hat because the sun’s really beating down!).
A short walk downtown lets the kids cool off under the multiple water jets at Saint George’s splash pad. Americans really know how to design pleasant urban squares (play areas, water jets, shaded tables...). For them, it’s also a place to meet and share with family. Unfortunately, stepping back onto the sidewalks dries us out again—the wind and sun are relentless, our eyes sting, and our lungs burn!!
We do some shopping at Smith’s, which has a better selection of fresh produce than Walmart (we even spotted some camembert!).
Next, we head to Snow Canyon State Park—a small but stunning park, though it’s probably more photogenic in the morning (no worries, we’ll be back in a week to sleep there in an RV with the rest of the family). The colors are striking, with black lava flows contrasting against white, red, yellow, and orange. It’s still hot, so we just do the short Jenny’s Canyon hike.
Back at the hotel, we quickly eat dinner in the room (shredded carrots/salad/cheddar/yogurt) and head back to the pool until 10 p.m. The kids had been dreaming of swimming "under the stars"—mission accomplished! Louenn makes an American friend and plays with her for a long time. The pool is nice—it even lights up—but like in many hotels, it’s right by the road!
At 7 AM, we hit the road for Zion National Park, where we bought the annual Pass. With gorgeous lighting and wispy clouds in the sky, the Zion - Mount Carmel Scenic Drive was stunning. The GoPro, suction-cupped to the car roof, captured some amazing footage!
We only passed through the park but still stopped for the short Canyon Overlook Trail hike, which took us about 1.5 hours at a leisurely pace. It was a fun, lively little walk (chipmunks and a desert bighorn sheep striking a pose on the rocks) ending with a beautiful viewpoint!
By 10:30 AM, we changed plans: we skipped the long hike we’d planned in the higher elevations of Zion (Observation Point via Ponderosa Ranch) to make a stop at Red Canyon (near Bryce Canyon), which we’d only glimpsed in 2014.
On the way out of Zion, we spotted the first bison herd of the trip.
The entrance to Red Canyon is still just as red!! We started with a quick stop at the visitor center, then had a picnic in the shade (sandwiches) before starting the very pleasant Pink Ledges Trail. The kids loved the explanatory brochure on geology and flora. We learned to identify different conifers, especially the Ponderosa pine, whose bark smells like either vanilla or butterscotch. Plus, the wind cooled things down a bit. Great choice!
Next, we headed to Bryce, first stopping at the visitor center, where Louenn bought a chipmunk puppet, then checking into our hotel around 4:30 PM (Bryce View Lodge).
When we arrived at Sunset Point on the rim, the kids went "Waaaooooo," and we made a second stop at Bryce Point. Seen in 2014 and again this year, Bryce Point is definitely the most spectacular viewpoint—the entire amphitheater spreads out at our feet. The chipmunks were still super curious (one even tried to nibble the GoPro filming its antics), and we also spotted a squirrel and a mule deer.
We had dinner in the room (shredded carrots/salad/cheddar/yogurt) and discovered the fridge hidden in a closet!
Like the previous evenings, before bed, JF downloaded his photos and videos from the day onto the small laptop. Everything seemed fine ๐
Image 2 less than a second later:
After a quick stop at Fairyland Point—a peaceful, secluded spot and the starting point for a famously challenging hike—we headed back to picnic (shredded carrots/salad/cheddar/fruit๐) at the tables in front of the hotel.
The afternoon was split into two activities: the guys went on a guided ATV tour at noon, while the girls went horseback riding. Both activities, booked from France through Ruby’s Inn’s website (the Ruby family descendants own nearly everything around the park), were highly anticipated by the kids.
The ATV tour lasted an hour and was a blast: after signing a liability waiver in case of accidents, grabbing helmets and goggles, and getting a few instructions (no wheeling!!!), we set off toward the edge of the amphitheater and into the surrounding forests. Dust, bumps, potholes, stream crossings, speeding—by the end, the guys were covered in dust but thrilled. They even had red dust in their teeth!!
The horseback ride, at least according to the girls (who are used to riding), was pretty tame: the whole route was at a walking pace with just a simple loop toward the rim. The only novelty? Long reins, long stirrups, and stiff cowboy saddles. A bit of a letdown for this horse tour, but it was definitely a beginner-friendly level!
Next, we drove the scenic road all the way to the end (Rainbow Point), stopping several times for photos. The views were expansive. We also spotted a pronghorn and a mule deer wandering near the road. The kids felt lucky to have already seen so many animals—they can’t wait for Yellowstone!๐
The afternoon wrapped up with a bit of window-shopping at Ruby’s Inn General Store and a surprising sight: an American hospital!๐ฎ Back in our room, we worked on our travel journals, watched cartoons on the tablet, and had dinner (shredded carrots/salad/cheddar/yogurt).
Around 9:30 p.m., we hoped to see the full moon at Fairyland and take some night photos—but no luck! No moon, no decent shots. The sky was overcast, and Annwen was already asleep in the car. We went to bed pretty disappointed (turns out the moon didn’t rise until 10:30 p.m.!).
At the entrance of this town (or rather, village, really) in the middle of nowhere, we were stunned to find a brand-new agility training field. Since we’ve been dog agility enthusiasts for over a decade, we had to stop for a photo. ๐ It’s unbelievable—people must fly in by helicopter! A closer look showed the field was on a property with a recent house and a hangar used every morning for “Church lessons.” ๐ Back in France, we saw that this agility field is even visible on Google Maps satellite photos.
A little further on, an emergency brake to let a mule deer pass proved just how good the GMC’s brakes are.
A few minutes later, we hit Stukumpah Road! Not too rocky, with a washboard surface, it was easy to drive—only one sandy section required 4WD. ๐
After roughly an hour on the trail, we stopped at the Willis Creek Trailhead at 8:30 AM—just one other car in the parking lot. We spent 2.5 hours in the creek’s canyon, including a long water-play break for the kids. This hike was a highlight of the trip: stunning narrow canyons alternating between white and yellow, refreshing with the little creek we followed, easy with minimal elevation, and isolated—over two hours from civilization. In short, an unforgettable moment shared by all four of us! These are the experiences that make life truly meaningful (to borrow a phrase from Rabelais). ๐ At the parking lot, a ranger, not very talkative, was quietly having lunch under a bush that gave him a bit of shade.
20-photo limit reached—more from the day on Cottonwood Road and then Kanab
Christelle and JF
We continue our journey on the long Cottonwood Road and have a picnic (shredded carrots/salad/cheddar/fruit) around 1 p.m. at Grosvenor Arch. We burn our butts on the benches (half-bench on one side of the table to leave room for a wheelchair), it's 32ยฐC.
We reach 100ยฐF near Candyland, where we stop for the usual photo showing a multitude of colorful rocks.
Further on, we pass the Hackberry Trail parking lot, the starting point, among others, for the hike leading to Yellow Rock. This hike (climbing a large yellow dome) tempts us, but it's too hot to start it!! We then decide to come back in two days early in the morning.
The end of this road is also very beautiful: we feel like we're facing lunar landscapes! Although it's long and the stifling heat between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. makes any hike difficult, we're happy we took this road. In our opinion, if you have the opportunity to take it, it's worth doing: lots of different landscapes, different colors, and always this feeling of being far from everything. Moreover, no need for a 4WD, and only the section near Candyland requires a car with decent ground clearance.
On our way back to Kanab, we don't have the energy to stop at Toadstool Hoodoos and quickly head to do some shopping (Glazier’s Market). We treat ourselves to a little ice cream and then enjoy the hotel's cool pool.
The most observant among you will have noticed that we're living on shredded carrots/salad/cheddar for every meal… Since we're not keen on wasting time going to restaurants, we'll stick to this diet for the whole vacation!! Once we have the RVs, we'll still take the time, only in the evening, to cook (a little) or have BBQs. After three weeks of this diet, we were happy to get back to French gastronomy! JF doesn’t want to hear about cheddar anymore, and Annwen about shredded carrots!! As a result, JF lost 4 kg of extra weight… which he could afford to lose!! So, that evening, we had promised ourselves some fats and sugar: Wendy’s was on the menu… We waited in line for a long time, the kids' menu is tiny (practically, before age 12, Americans don’t eat anything, but after that, they go straight for XXL as the basic menu), and our orders arrived completely wrong. Even though Christelle’s salad is original (with strawberries), 2 ice creams were missing (but 2 for 4 was enough), and Christelle got an indescribable overly sweet non-carbonated red drink… In short, a gastronomic disappointment that will serve the parents to justify continuing the shredded carrots/salad/cheddar diet…
At 9:30 p.m., everyone falls asleep!
Lesson of the day: Cottonwood Road is checked off (beautiful but maybe not worth a detour to do it again), the highlight was Willis Creek.
Disappointed, we settle for the Wire Pass Trail, which—just to rub salt in the wound—is only 1 km as the crow flies from The Wave… No problem, we’ll just have to come back… Besides, in the wash, we pass right by the start of The Wave…. A nice sign explains it well...
The road to get there is smooth, but a car with decent ground clearance is reassuring: we saw a Canadian in a PT Cruiser looking really worried about his front bumper… Obviously, we didn’t get there early, and it was already 30ยฐC (86ยฐF).
The descent into the wash is a bit long and hot, but after that, it’s beautiful, cooler, and very narrow. The red canyons are sometimes even tighter than Willis Creek Trail, and there’s a tricky spot with a big drop of about 2 meters to climb. But it’s not impossible—there’s a pile of logs and rocks to help. We turn back at the big alcove. The climb back up the wash is just as long and even hotter! We run into people wearing flip-flops and no hats, with just a small water bottle in hand…
We head back to the hotel: unpacking and laundry, then the pool where a persistent kid tries to claim Annwen’s super donut float.๐ We eat in front of the room again. Then, for the first time since arriving in the U.S., we turn on the TV—baseball tonight. We look for some info on the World Cup… Nothing!๐คช Soccer doesn’t exist in this part of the planet!๐คช
We arrived at the Hackberry Canyon trail parking lot at 8 AM—the 20ยฐC temperature was perfect!
First, we descended the dry riverbed, then climbed through the scree. This part, even though it was still mostly in the shade, was the toughest physically—it was steep, *really* steep. Louenn said he had "his heart beating in his head"! ๐ Once we reached the top of the scree, the view opened up to a multi-colored plateau with the big yellow mountain in the distance… ๐ฎ
We reached the summit around 9:30 AM, making sure to take landmarks for the return (though there were plenty of cairns). It was very steep there too. The rock colors were incredibly varied, and the view was breathtaking. We took a moment to enjoy the site, snacking on cereal bars with a 360ยฐ view.
By 10 AM, with the temperature rising, we headed back down and appreciated the final stretch under the trees, as it was already 32๏ฟฝ๏ฟฝC.
Photo limit of 20 reached. More to come!
Christelle and JF
Then we hit the road again—it’s still a long way to Las Vegas! We pass through St. George again and the gorges of the Virgin River before tackling the desert surrounding Las Vegas once more. Long before we spot the suburbs, we notice the casinos on the Strip.
At a temperature of 111ยฐF (43ยฐC), our first stop in Las Vegas is at a car wash to get rid of the red and gray dust from the trails we took. We learn the hard way that it’s smarter to wet the car before applying the foam… Next to us, we watch in disbelief as a guy polishes his tires (the rubber, not the rims…)—Americans really have a love affair with their cars!!! ๐คช๐คช
In the northern suburbs, we drive through an area where dozens of homeless people are squatting on the sidewalks—it’s near a Catholic charities center. Shortly after, we head down the Strip, what a stark contrast!
After stopping at Walmart to grab dinner, we head to the airport to pick up Papoune and Mamoune, the grandparents. We also meet up with Christophe, Delphine, and Yohan, the cousin, who arrived three days ago. Since it’s P’s 76th birthday, the welcome happens in front of the baggage carousels with a loud rendition of Happy Birthday! ๐
Like any good Breton who’s moved away, my brother pulls out a homemade *gwen ha du* for the occasion!
We head to the hotel—our big Yukon easily fits the two extra passengers along with their two large suitcases and two backpacks.
We grab a quick bite in one of the rooms, everyone sharing their travel stories and mishaps (C&D&L, traveling from CDG to LAS via Charlotte, missed their connecting flight…). The cousins catch up, then it’s dishes, a quick load of laundry, and bedtime—except for a few brave souls (JF, D, Y, and L) who head back out to the illuminated Strip!
Lesson of the day: The best of Yellow Rock
The group meet-up was scheduled for 8 AM at the nearby Denny’s for breakfast—a feast everyone was looking forward to! We all enjoyed it, and with full bellies (a 1,550-calorie breakfast, no less), we went to pack up our suitcases.
Around 9 AM, after a call to Cruise America, we learned our appointment wouldn’t be until 4 PM!!! We carefully reread the contract, which clearly stated “First arrived, first served.” Yet, according to them, we should’ve called yesterday, and it was a "busy" day (the day before July 4th). 
We passed the time watching the French presentation video, then the guys went to return the GMC at the airport. That GMC had been flawless—comfortable and spacious (7 seats)... Thanks, Hertz, and another big thanks to Jpg13 for your great advice.
Finally, at 4 PM, the first RV was ready, and we got all the explanations in Canadian French (the manager was from Montreal). Then the second vehicle came out of the garage, and we left around 5 PM—everything loaded in a rush, with the manager’s apologies for the delay.
We made one last stop at the airport to drop off C&D’s car and headed toward St. George.
There was heavy traffic leaving North Las Vegas, plus major construction. ๐
We stopped for gas at the Moapa Indian Reservation. There was a long line of trucks and a concert being set up—we saw a stage and lots of security, plus police reinforcements. Total chaos! We took the opportunity to share the leftover sandwiches from the day before, then hit the road again. We sped all the way to St. George—lots of wind, lots of trucks, and we floored it to make it to the campground on time.
What a treat to have a relaxed breakfast in front of this spectacle and in peace!!! Well, relatively peaceful since we now have three juniors with us... ๐คช
We have breakfast quietly in the shade of the mountains while watching the colors change with the sunrise. As we leave the campground, we drive through the park from end to end to enjoy this beautiful chromatic palette. It’s stunning but fleeting—the heat is already returning! 
At the park exit, we explore Whiterocks Amphitheatre, a short and pleasant hike to start the day. After a 15-minute trail, we arrive at a small white cirque that’s fun to climb. Papoune shows us his personal method for descending steep terrain safely—though not exactly textbook, it’s effective and safe! ๐
Back at the RVs, we hit the road. The juniors gather in the C25 with Christophe and Delphine. We make a quick stop at Snow Canyon Overlook, which offers a complete view of this small park. ๐
In Cedar City, the streets are decorated for the 4th of July (though we’re a bit disappointed—we expected way more decorations on individual houses for America’s Independence Day). ๐
After filling up on gas and grabbing a few groceries, we head up to Cedar Breaks National Monument, a last-minute addition. The mountain road (14 then 148) is covered in flowers (lupins, currant bushes, scarlet paintbrush). The coolness at 3,000 meters is really nice. ๐
The stop at the tiny Visitor Center lets us buy the second park access pass we need for our trip. There are telescopes available to see Venus and the sun.
It’s 1:30 PM, and the juniors’ stomachs are growling, but all the picnic tables are taken. We hit the road again, looking for a place to stop—first a little farther, then even farther. We end up having lunch around 3 PM in a meadow. The adults’ stomachs were starting to rumble, and the kids were getting grumpy!
From now on, we’ve set up a simple system for lunch: everyone serves themselves buffet-style from the table set up in one of the RVs. We’ve expanded the menu a bit! Salad, cucumber, tomatoes, cheddar, flavored ham (honey, smoked, etc.), chips, hard-boiled eggs, different dressings, and always shredded carrots! No cooking, no service, minimal dishes—perfect. We won’t waste time on meals and can still enjoy the often beautiful surroundings. When Louenn pulls out the chairs from the storage compartment, he finds a small headlamp stuck in an armrest. He’s thrilled! We continue toward Bryce with a few photo stops, then head to Kodachrome Basin State Park, but unfortunately, we don’t have time for the Mossy Cave hike. ๐
The campsite, located in the middle of a basin, is really nice with small trees around the picnic tables. Right now, barbecues are prohibited.
The sun has set, and the heat is bearable. Part of the group stretches their legs on the Nature Trail. We’d have loved to do more, but time is short—we’ll have to come back!
Then it’s a rush to the (huge) showers! After the traditional apรฉritif, we have steak and slightly sticky rice while watching a decent sunset.
It’s 10 PM when we head to bed. The sky is stunning—we can admire the Milky Way. But Christophe and Christelle try taking photos without success: they’ll need to adjust their settings!
We had 10 hours of driving on the agenda, not counting stops!! We started with Scenic Byway 12 and its many photo stops: barns, Escalante, Hogback, and the recommended overlooks. It’s such a beautiful and well-known route that it doesn’t need any introduction. ๐
This time, the three cousins were in the C30, working on their travel journals. Before heading back down to Torrey, we stopped for our salad buffet in the cool mountain air at 2,700 meters. Harleys and trucks waved at us—some photos coming in the next post.
Today is also the day of the France team’s quarter-final: we follow it on our phones as signal allows. And when we arrive in Paris (time zone), we pose like winners!
We continue our journey, passing ranches and the meanders of the Snake River.
When we arrive in Jackson Hole, it’s very hot, almost noon, and we quickly find two parking spots not far from downtown. We grab a quick lunch because we have a photo session appointment at Old West Photos.
The session is a lot of fun—we discover each other dressed as cowboys in different styles or in long dresses. The chosen setting is a saloon, and they hand out guns and whiskey bottles. JF picks chaps covered in faux fur!! Then the photographer starts. First serious, then smiling, the shots follow one after another: the whole family, the cousins, the women, the men… We spend a good half-hour there and leave with some great sepia-toned memories.
Afterward, we take a very quick stroll through town—it’s crowded, and unfortunately, the little hat shop Hat and Co has closed.
