After a week of camping throughout the desert southwest we have finally arrived in Phoenix. Were staying with an old friend of mine, Jeremy. I'll try to start catching you up on our progress.It's been a long busy week of riding through Utah, Nevada and Arizona. We have encountered nothing but picture perfect weather and have had blue skies and gentle breezes for the whole week. It has been difficult to keep the blog updated because we have been camping and have not had electricity or internet.
After departing from Denver we skipped up to Avon for the first day and stopped for the night at my good buddy Jake's place. We played a quick 9 holes of golf on a par 3 then settled in for an excellent steak dinner prepared by Jake. If you know Jake you would know it was top notch fare. Thanks again Jake!
Next morning we were off fairly early as Dex is still getting accustomed to getting up, packing the bike up and getting on the road. Our first stop was Hanging Lake. If you've never been, it is absolutely gorgeous, highly recommended. It is a pretty decent hike up the mountain to get to it but definitely worth it. I've driven by the sign for the lake on I-70 countless times but never stopped. I'm glad I was able to experience it for the first time with Dex. He really liked it and still claims it's one of his favorite sites thus far on the trip. We pulled into Moab right as it was getting dark and that complicated our efforts to find a camping spot. On our second attempt we found an opening available and quickly set up camp and went about scavenging for wood for a fire. We were met with great success and had a nice fire going shortly thereafter. It was a good day.
The next morning we awoke to find that we were camped beside 100' sandstone bluffs and 50' from the Colorado river. Pretty nice spot but primitive, no showers. That day we drove around the area taking in as much as we could. We went to Arches and Canyonlands and generally took it pretty easy,, hiking and riding about. What a beautiful place. We decided we would switch campgrounds that night and found a nice one with showers and set up camp again after Dex took the opportunity to hit on the cute girl who checked us in to the campground. Adjacent to our site were two French guys who were in country for a few weeks and had just come from Yellowstone. We shared pics and I helped them with some English. Very nice guys.
Next morning we packed it up again and decided we would head to Zion instead of Monument Valley upon the recommendation of several people we chatted with that had seen it all and steered us that direction. So, across the state we went, stopping at Bryce Canyon along the way. Sunny skies and beautiful scenery again the whole way. As evening approached we found ourselves nearing Zion and decided to start searching for camping spots. We found a quiet little camp spot near Duck Creek Village. It was difficult to interpret all of the contradicting rules and laws concerning primitive camping so we did what seemed most appropriate and camped right off of an ATV trail in the woods by a lake. It was a gorgeous spot but we were at 8500 ft. and it got COLD that night. 35 degrees to be exact and it pushed our 3 season camping gear to the limit.

Rolling up I-70 on our way to Avon, CO.

Jake prepping to make a gourmet meal.

Hike up to Hanging Lake.

Windows and Arches- Moab

Canyonlands- Moab

Bryce Canyon.

Duck Creek Village. It was cold!