Utah

I’m married to MacGyver

by Ingrid

Once settled into our new home, a home with a view I might add, we set out in search of some petroglyphs aka rock art.  After a little research, I knew just where to go.  From our home located off Highway 191 we headed south and picked up Utah highway 279.

Colorado River Utah
The Colorado River along Utah scenic byway 279

petroglyphs

petroglyphsUtah road 279 located several miles north of Moab is a paved two lane road that meanders along the Colorado River and is a popular place with rafters, canoeists, and kayakers .  There’s numerous places to access the river as well as a few designated campsites.

The hunt for these petroglyphs or rather referred to as Indian writing and also known as rock art is an easy search.  There are actually a couple of brown signs near pull-outs that say “Indian writing”.

Al and I parked the truck and stood near the road glancing up at the red rock wall.  After a couple of minutes scanning the wall, I screamed out while pointing a finger, “There….up there.  Can you see it?”Indian WritingThere are several areas along this rock wall that were engraved with Indian writing – petroglyphs – rock art, whatever one calls it, that obviously told a story.  Most of the rock art is located on the smooth blackish face of the wall at least 20 feet up or higher.Indian WritingIndian writingrock climbing repellingI could’ve stood there for quite some time starring up at this unique historical site trying to decipher the story.  This was someone’s journal…..a blog post!  Hmm, wonder how long it took them to complete a blog post with all the carving and chiseling required.  I guess we have it pretty easy with our simple clicks and auto correct 🙂

We continued down Utah road 279 also known as Potash Road and stopped to observe some rock climbers.  Ah, to be young again.  However, even twenty some years ago I would’ve viewed the climbing part as perhaps a little too much work, but repelling?  Now that’s fun and I would still consider doing that today…..just beam me up Scottie and I’ll repel down.Moab Utah

We continued down Utah road 279 but not without getting side tracked with a gravel road that shot off to the west.  A little four-wheeling in the back country found us surrounded by huge majestic rock cliffs that left us admiring their beauty in awe.Red rockfour wheeling in Moab Utah

four wheeling the back country near Moab UtahIn the above photo, can you see little ole me climbing up the hill with camera in hand?  Look at the size of those boulders.  I wouldn’t want one of those tumbling down towards me.

Had we taken a map with us, we may have explored this back country road a little more, but the further in we drove the worse the road conditions got.  No map and a worsening road had us turning around.  We returned back to paved road 279.

Shortly after this slight back country road diversion and back on 279, the pavement ended near a large boat ramp.  This was the perfect place for our picnic lunch.  Beyond this point, folks with Jeeps or bicycles access Shafer Road; a gravel road leading up to Canyonlands.  High clearance vehicles are a must as well as a sense of adventure.

Across from our picnic area was the Intrepid Potash Plant.  I’ll share more about Potash in my next post.  For now it’s time to return to camp.Intrepid PotashBut before returning to camp, we needed to stop at Lion’s Park located at the intersection of Roads 191 and 128 in Moab to fill up our five gallon jugs with water.Colorado RiverRemember our day from hell……you know the day we blew a tire?  Well, that blown tire damaged our water lines.  We all know what a precious commodity water is especially when boondocking (dry camping).  Every time we turned on the water pump, we’d lose some water on the ground through the sliced line, thus we found ourselves going through water a lot quicker than normal even with our MacGyver patch.

boondocking Moab Utah
Our home with a view for a week. Boondocking north of Moab, Utah – Where’s my hook-ups?

With jugs filled, we returned to camp where Al preceded to fill our RV tank with fresh water.  Being self-sufficient in this lifestyle is a must and having a MacGyver for a husband is a big plus.

boondocking dry camping
Filling the RV with fresh water

It’s interesting how all winter long we stayed in RV Parks with hook-ups with a plan to spend most of April boondocking.  As luck would have it, we damaged the water lines just as we were entering our boondocking phase of the journey, which required us to travel through some pretty remote parts of Utah.

dry camping boondocking
Al’s nifty little rig up…..notice my lovely tape job on the wheel fender that got damaged from the blown tire – we’re a class act!

Unable to find the ‘right’ parts to fix the water lines properly, MacGyver aka Al used some tape to stem the loss of water and with a little more conservation on my part, we managed to still enjoy our boondocking.  Yep, it’s good to have a MacGyver around.  Once we get to a bigger town, we’ll getter all fixed up.

dry camping

Just another day in the life of an RV’er…………


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69 thoughts on “I’m married to MacGyver”

    1. In this lifestyle I’d say it’s a necessity that someone be handy. Hubby and I each have our ‘talents’ which seems to work well.

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  2. Why, that looks like quite a proper fender fix to me — you used clear tape. Those types of fixes look more Beverly Hillbilly when they’re made with gray duct tape. I guess you don’t own all the products listed at the end of the entry, but do you own the RV bible? I want to do more reading about choosing and RV.

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    1. Most of the products I post, we either own ourselves or have heard good things about. The RV Bible is one we don’t own partly because we didn’t need info on choosing a RV. For us it was pretty easy since we already owned the truck, but for folks just starting to look it might provide helpful insight. If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me. I’m always willing to offer my two cents. And trust me, duct tape was an option regarding that repair…..now if only I looked like Elly Mae!

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    1. Thanks Renee. Yep, I’ve often wondered how we would handle some of these repairs if neither one of us were handy or inventive!

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      1. Certainly saves money and time too with it being stuck in service holding! Just need some duct tape, garden hose, baling wire, etc. and set to invent and get handy 🙂

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    1. Amazing, stunning, awe-inspiring, unique, remote are just a few of the words that come to mind trying to describe this incredible scenery. Sometimes photos just don’t capture the vastness of this land 🙂

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  9. “Just?” another day in the life of an RV’er. More like another awesome day in the awesome life of an RV’er. Look at all those majestic views! I am green with envy.
    Nothing that a tape can’t fix, eh? 😀
    I wonder if those are the same rocks (the picture with a mini-you) that Luann once posted. If not, they look really the same.

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    1. I’m sure LuAnn and I have been to a lot of the same places. Unfortunately, not together with the exception of meeting last year in Phoenix. Hopefully we’ll find another opportunity to meet up. Yep, tape sure comes in handy, thank goodness. Utah awaits you Rommel…..you could go crazy with your camera!

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  11. I have been to those rock arts also and could have spent hours if my DW did not make me leave. Have been to several rock art locations and am just fascinated with the spirals. To think about using just rocks and making some of the spirals so perfectly. Plus around the world spirals seem to exist in most rock art – just strange.

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    1. It does boggle my mind as well. I wanted to try and decipher the story with the aid of the sign but hubby was ready to move on. I know we’ll return in the fall so perhaps I’ll need to visit alone and spend that hour or two 🙂

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  12. Bonjour! Hello! You have very nice and interesting blog! I looking forward to read new post! I am like traveling around the world… Cheers. Kamila

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  13. I too am married to a MacGyver. He has saved us many times and a lot of money to boot! I had forgotten about the TV show and now it’s in my Netflix queue. Fabulous photos of the area. Do you have solar or do you use a generator when you’re boondocking?

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    1. Thanks…..right now we use a Honda 2000 generator. We have solar on our wish list. If it wasn’t for getting all new tires and some other repairs, we may have purchased our solar this year. Thank goodness most of the repairs my MacGyver can handle or indeed things would get very pricey. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

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  14. Having a “MacGyver” of my own, I tend to rely on him a little too much. I don’t know what I would do without him!! Us girls who are in the Mrs. MacGyver category probably should give a few more “atta boy!s”, and not just assume they will come through. Patent that ladder deal, Al….and chive on!

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    1. You like that ladder rig? LOL and we wouldn’t want to give too many “atta boys” they might get the idea we need them….oh, wait guess we do. I have no intention of changing those tires 🙂

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  15. Thanks for the back roads scenery as we stayed on pavement during our trip there. Always good to have a little MacGyver in you.

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    1. I occasionally get a little nervous on some of those back roads. It’s such remote country and one needs to be prepared for just about anything, but the land is so amazing and stunning I just feel compelled to explore 🙂

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  16. Oh yes, we must be resourceful in this lifestyle! We have a similar water filling scenario when we’re camped without hookups — but it’s because our fresh water tank holds only 30 gallons. ;-( Your boon docking site looks fabulous!

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    1. Ours normally holds 50 but with the steady loss….. The wide open spaces, amazing scenery, and freedom are well worth a few inconveniences. And yes it was definitely a sweet spot we hope will be available in the future, because we’ll definitely be back 🙂 BTW – like your new gravatar!

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  17. When it comes to landscape shots, I think there is little more striking than red rocks against an azure sky. Your images are lovely Ingrid. We can’t wait to get out to Utah!

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    1. I totally agree…..I can’t seem to get enough of the red rocks and blue skies. I am already planning many returns to this area…. I could use some company 😉

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  18. I love Utah too. Right now we’re in Virgin, near Zion NP. Since you like petroglyphs, while in Moab be sure to see Newspaper Rock on Scenic Rt. 211 in the southern district of Canyonlands. It’s a beautiful drive and a huge collection of petroglyphs. And then further on there are some pictographs at Cave Springs – also beautiful.

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    1. Thanks for all the info and commenting. I just visited your blog to follow. I’ll be sure and check your posts for your Utah meanderings 🙂

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    1. I’m sure the river and land were much higher at one time….. erosion at it’s finest. I think you and Rhonda would really enjoy Utah 🙂

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  21. I love your trip and photos. We were supposed to be doing the same thing until John’s cardiologist called and said he needs a pacemaker. As we passed through New Mexico, we about cried. But as Arnold says, “We’ll be back”……

    Keep filling us in on the lovely places to stay and things to do.

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    1. Those darn health issues sure know how to mess with the best laid plans. The last few months had us mocking Arnold as well. Thankfully I’m finally recovered and working back into hiking slowly. Hope you all are healthy now and getting back to those explorations 🙂

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  22. I got one of those MacGyver guys….whatever would I do without mine! Cool temporary mods 🙂
    So glad despite it all…Boondocking is center stage and such a beautiful place! One day, I’ll be sitting there. Ps…Hope you win the photo contest!

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    1. I think you should patent Mr. Jer’s PVC slide awning rig. That was quite a MacGyver invention. Boondocking can be addictive as the freedom is rather liberating. And you are very sweet to wish me well regarding the photo contest 🙂

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  23. Aah the stunning shots of sceneries just kept coming and still jealous. Being creative coupled with a handy man makes this lifestyle a little easier to handle when mishaps happen. Great Job, Mr and Mrs MacGyver.

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    1. Thanks ML. Mishaps seem to be part of the adventure. I can’t seem to get enough of this stunning scenery and am already plotting a return 🙂

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  24. We drove through Moab on 191 a few years ago — next time we’re in along that way, we’ll take the 279 spur road. Looks like Moab might be a good place to park awhile and explore! Thanks for reminding me there’s so much more out there OUTSIDE of the national parks!! Travel safe!

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    1. As much as we love exploring the National Parks, there’s so much more to discover in the surrounding areas…..lots of hidden gems 🙂

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  25. Utah looks so beautiful! Kudos on the work arounds….sorry you hare having to deal with that. Looks like you’re MacGyver knows what he’s doing!

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    1. Definitely put Utah on your list and yes being handy is a must in this lifestyle. You’ll find living in a moving home jars things up quite a bit requiring fixes here and there.

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  26. Oh wow! Those rock formations are mind-blowing, Ingrid. How lucky you are to have your very own MacGyver with you on your road trips. Whatever would you do without him? 🙂

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    1. Oh, I could think of a few things to do without him….But that’s another story LOL. Yep, stunning, unique, amazing, mind-blowing sums up Utah pretty well 🙂

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  27. Thanks for more memories! We watched the climbers for hours. There were so many and some were fairly new to climbing which made you realize how hard it is. You saw the Jug Handle Arch! We missed it our first time out there.

    I can’t imagine living in an RV and not having a MacGyver. There is always something that needs repairing. Flexibility is the name of our game for sure!!

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    1. Thank you for reminding me of the name of that arch. I kept calling it pitcher handle arch and just knew that wasn’t right LOL. Next time back, I want to watch the climbers at Fisher Towers. Loved your post on it. Yep, gotta have a handy guy for this lifestyle 🙂

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  28. Oh the things we do to get those great shots! Your photos are stunning Ingrid. I really enjoyed going on this search for you. Aren’t we lucky to have husbands who are so clever?.

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    1. Yes, what would we do without these ‘clever’ guys? You have no idea how many times I stopped myself from getting into a precarious scenario for a photo op…..those ledges are a long way up and the drop a long way down!

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  29. Wonderful adventures in a magnificent place. I am married to a very handy guy also, and it sure is a must for RVing, especially in remote places. Happy Travels!

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    1. You are so right because we all know things break at the most inopportune time. Thanks for stopping by and commenting 🙂

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  32. I do believe that UT is my favorite state because of its incredible landscapes!

    A handy man is a good thing to have around, and being a resourceful woman is essential!

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    1. I’m with you Lisa…..love Utah. I wouldn’t want to have to pick a favorite between Utah or Colorado. They each offer their own unique and stunning beauty. I’m taking notes from your Utah travels 🙂

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  33. Ingrid… I can’t get enough of your blog. Your wit, your writing, and most of all your photos keeps bringing me back for more and more! ENJOY! And thank goodness for “Mr. MacGyver!”

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