We decided to take a northern route through the western part of Colorado which would give us a direct line to move onward to Salt Lake City, the location of our next race event. The original plan was to take Hwy 9 from Silverthorn (I-70) to Kremmling, but an accident closed the road with an unknown delay on re-opening. So, after an interesting u-turn we continued westward on I-70 until we got to Hwy 131 and took a more adventurous (for a RV anyway) and curvy road through Oak Creek and eventually made it to Craig and Hwy 40.
It was interesting driving through this part of Colorado in which neither of us had spent any time. We stayed in a campground along the Yampa River. It was hot and dry but the river was running full.
The next morning we continued west along this small bumpy highway. Over one large bump we believe Ralphie caught some air! Eventually it brought us to Utah, and right beside Dinosaur National Monument – we will have to explore that one a different time – and we began to scout out a place to camp that evening.
We hoped to stay at a campground at Strawberry Reservoir, but after arriving (phone calls only got us to an annoying reservation service) we realized it wouldn’t work out. We really needed some internet and there was no wifi and no cell service. Our search became more desperate as every campground closer to Park City UT was full! We finally gave in when one place said we could park in the empty lot along the road outside their RV park. While far from ideal, we were tired and needing a rest – and – there was cell service.
The next day brought us better opportunities! First we continued on, calling park after park, hoping to find somewhere to spend a long weekend. We were realizing that RV travel in summer time and weekends was going to require advance planning and making reservations. Not something we really wanted to do, but it probably was going to be required. We ran across what turned out to be an excellent RV Park right in Park City that had a cancellation! It actually was on the side of the city, right next to an nice mountain biking trail, and also access to road biking. Another new place to explore as we had never been to Park City – and a long weekend to do it in!
Over the next few days we mountain biked, road biked, found a few breweries, and visited the Olympic Park from the 2002 Winter Olympic games. It is still an active training facility – even in the summer.
After this relaxing weekend we were really looking forward to visiting here again someday. But it was time to head down to Salt Lake City and Utah Motorsports Park for a race event. Ralphie the RV did just fine down the hills into the city, just as it had in the mountains in Colorado. We did go a bit slower up than we were used to in a smaller vehicle but all in all it handled well.
Here are a few shots from the track and of the Great Salt Lake.
