Paul says that every trip is a scouting trip for future trips. That’s what the drive to CA was, not enough time to explore--just see. We really had no idea of the incredible scenery awaiting, I-70 and part of I-15 is by far the most scenic interstate in the US. Combined with some detours off the highway it was the most scenic drive through diverse terrain that we have been on.
We didn’t make it out of Nina’s till the afternoon. We had not packed up yet and the night before had been up till past , it was so beautiful sitting on the patio with the flowers and the birds. Eventually we finished packing and the first night we drove to NE and camped near Burwell. The next day we headed to CO and had dinner with family after touring Hunter’s Moon Meadery. The kids loved swimming at the hotel pool--the temps are in the 90's.
The drive through CO was incredible so many places that we wanted to stop. a feast for the eyes As we drove up to Independence Pass the water just ran alongside the road—everything was so lush and green between the switchbacks and sometimes one lane access. Bursting with spring and then into winter yet up on the pass. Always we were surrounded by water it ran along side the road and the rivers raged as the temperatures melted the mountain snow.
We stopped in Grand Junction after driving through the beautiful Glenwood Canyon to have coffee with one of my college friends.
After pushing the kids so hard and having them get a bit grumpy on us we decided no more driving and setting up camp in the dark—where ever we were at 6:30 that is where we would stop. Thus at 6:30 we were in the middle of UT with nothing in site. We stopped at a town and found a RV park—and were told that no tents were allowed. He told us though that we could camp at the city park. The city park was perfect. Clean, well maintained facilities, great playground and outlets. We set up camp, the kids played, watched the corrals next to the park and we made dinner. So nice to not be setting up camp in the dark. Then at 8pm the Park Caretaker came and said we could not camp there and had to move….(insert tired angry thoughts). The nearest campsite was on federal land 10+ miles out of town. We packed up everything and drove out of town to the nearest federal land. Paul found a spot amongst the cow patties and sage brush and set up our tent in the dark as cattle roamed nearby. It was scenic and is now memorable.
We took off at 5 am the next morning and made it into Zion! The morning sun shone on the rocks, the road was red from the dust from the rocks and all you do is look up and up try to take it in. We found parking, got the bus into the park and had a late breakfast at the lodge for one of the best breakfast views ever an then hiked to the Emerald Pools!
Then drives into Moab along the Colorado river, through rural UT, into Zion and the Virgin River Gorge.
These links (who knew that people do time lapses of driving) show some of what we drove through:
Utah Drive - I-70
Drive to Moab - Hwy 128
Coming into Zion - Hwy 9
Virgin River Gorge - I-15
After pushing the kids so hard and having them get a bit grumpy on us we decided no more driving and setting up camp in the dark—where ever we were at 6:30 that is where we would stop. Thus at 6:30 we were in the middle of UT with nothing in site. We stopped at a town and found a RV park—and were told that no tents were allowed. He told us though that we could camp at the city park. The city park was perfect. Clean, well maintained facilities, great playground and outlets. We set up camp, the kids played, watched the corrals next to the park and we made dinner. So nice to not be setting up camp in the dark. Then at 8pm the Park Caretaker came and said we could not camp there and had to move….(insert tired angry thoughts). The nearest campsite was on federal land 10+ miles out of town. We packed up everything and drove out of town to the nearest federal land. Paul found a spot amongst the cow patties and sage brush and set up our tent in the dark as cattle roamed nearby. It was scenic and is now memorable. 
We decided to leave, the house sold, friends were told and goodbye after goodbye was said.
