The Loneliest Highway into Canyon Country

After a few needed days of rest, relaxation, and fun with Laurie and Art, we hit the road with our eyes on the Grand Canyon with hopes of taking long trip in the backcountry- away from the hordes on the canyon rim. About four hours into the drive we called the Backcountry office for some information about our options and were told it was near impossible to get a backcountry permit- Bummer... 

Quick side note: if you haven't yet, please read "Polemic: Industrial Tourism & the National Parks"  by Edward Abbey.  If you don't want to do that go to the Yosemite Valley or Grand Canyon mid June-you will see what he is saying.

Anyway, after the disappointing discussion with the ranger we looked at our trusty atlas and decided to go to Great Basin National Park- why not? Neither of us had been there, and it would probably be a heck of a lot less crowded than the canyon- plus would make for an easy drive to Moab afterward.

We ended up on Highway 50 out of Reno and learned about it being “The Lonliest Highway in America” and it sure was- a beautiful drive through the high desert and mountains of Nevada 

A delicacy of the road

Awesome roadside camp for Lunar Eclipse

Upon arrival at the National Park we easily got a great campsite, cooked some good grub, and stayed a few nights to hike around the area. 

Then we got to EXPLORE CAVES!!!

A few days later we hit the road to Moab for some desert fun, and desert fun we had! Living in the van, cooking breakfast at trailheads, kayaking epic canyons, and biking Utah's best single track- does it get any better?

It just might- tomorrow we head to Canyonlands National Park for an extended stay to explore the box canyons, spread out the gear, and stop some miles.