Al and I were finally able to get away last month. I can’t tell you how good it felt to be back out traveling and on the road again. After sitting stationary for almost two years, I needed this trip more than I realized.
It was a spur-of-the-moment decision to hop in the truck and take the ten-hour drive to visit my brother and sister-in-law in western Colorado. Fortunately, the short notice was ample time for my brother and his wife to prepare for a couple of house guests.
This would be the first time in a long time that we’d be traveling without an RV in tow. The planning felt initially strange and I was slightly confused as to how and what to pack, but it didn’t take long for travel mode to set in. I quickly got my act together and a list was formed.
I started reviewing our route which didn’t take long since we had made this drive numerous times with the RV. What was new was the necessity to plan break stops and pack a cooler considering my kitchen and bathroom wouldn’t be in tow. Those are two things sorely missed after years of travel in an RV. The conveniences of RVing spoiled us, but I was determined to adjust and figure things out along the way.
Travel excitement soon set in and we even discussed leaving a day early and overnighting somewhere along the way. In the end, we stuck with plan A and hit the road bright and early on a Sunday morning.
The scenery between Phoenix, Arizona, and Grand Junction, Colorado, is stunning. Our route took us through Monument Valley and Moab, Utah. This was the first time in months that Al and I actually missed having an RV. There are so many beautiful places to stop and linger. So many unique sights to see and explore, and even though this landscape wasn’t new to us, the desire to get lost in its beauty was strong.
You can’t go wrong with scenes of blue skies, puffy clouds, and nature’s red rock sculptures. We pushed through the desire to explore the side roads and kept moving. We made great time and nine and a half hours later were pulling into my brother’s driveway.
After three fun-filled days, it was time for us to hit the road, but this time, in the opposite direction. I’ll admit, I wasn’t ready to head home. Alas, if we still had the RV, the four of us would’ve planned a getaway to Ridgway State Park. I can’t believe the last time the four of us camped together was ten years ago.
Anytime we visit my brother and sister-in-law, we always find something to entertain ourselves. Whether it’s a fun hike, cooking up yummy food, or mixing up tasty cocktails, there’s plenty of laughter and relaxation. Thanks for the hospitality guys. We’ll be back!
On the way home, we did make some extra stops and lingered along the way. Probably not the smartest choice considering we ended up running into a major traffic backup and then later some serious construction causing delays and thus turning our drive into a long twelve-hour day. We didn’t mind. We were back on the road and taking in the sights along the way. Hmm, where shall we go next?
Today’s Sunday Stills photo challenge is the color BLUE. We were fortunate to enjoy lovely blue skies with occasional white clouds during our entire five-day trip. Beautiful skies and beautiful scenery were immensely enjoyed by all.
Live Laugh RV 
99 responses to “Traveling with Blue Skies”
Such gorgeous pictures!
LikeLike
Thank you 😃
LikeLike
Sure are!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful! Love that part of the country! Enjoy the freedom – and there are always little RVs for quick getaways.
LikeLike
Funny you should mention that, I was just looking at pull behinds like a RPod or Little Guy Max. I’m ready to get rid of the diesel truck but Al still has truck camper on the brain. 🥴I’m sure we’ll figure out something considering both of us are flexible.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That sounds fun! Just try them out – even rent – and you’ll find just the right thing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks 👍
LikeLike
Gorgeous photos, Ingrid. I miss regular road-tripping, as well. I think it’s good for the soul! Hopefully you’re planning to get back in the swing of it!
LikeLike
We were hoping to get back up to Grand Junction in August, but life happens. Plus with this heat, I’m not too eager to hit the road anytime soon.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing blog post Ingrid. I love the blue skies too and by the way blue🛡is my favorite color. I am glad that after two years anxiously waiting to travel, you managed to do that. Hope the travelling journey was a bliss💯🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
It felt great to be back on the road again after the lengthy break and the blue skies and beautiful scenery were icing on the cake.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I am glad to hear that🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
So pretty. What a great adventure.
LikeLike
We hope to do a repeat next month … fingers crossed!
LikeLike
Nice
LikeLike
Amazing pictures of the place…loved this post
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! Utah offers some amazing landscapes.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I know what you mean. It is so much harder packing for a trip that doesn’t involve an RV. Stunning photos.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s hard to take a bad photograph in the state of Utah. Such amazing scenery. Ah, we are still struggling on whether or not to get another RV.🥴
LikeLike
Good luck with that one, decisions do get harder at this time of life.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agree!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ahhh, your road trip brought memories of our 2021 road trip to Grand Junction.Those red colored monuments and blue skies as the backdrop never gets old. Gorgeous!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We’re thinking about another trip up to my brother in August for Palisade peaches, but if this excessive heat continues, we won’t go, but it is certainly a scenic drive.
LikeLike
Nice so good
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ingrid, impromptu road trips are the best. Malcolm and I have never owned an RV, but we have taken a lot of amazing road trips with just a cooler and two suitcases. I’m sure you will get used to it. A ten-hour trip to visit your brother is a great place to start. Thanks for sharing your incredible photography.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Suzanne, I’m sure this was just the first of many road trips to come. No doubt we’ll get the hang of traveling without an RV. We really enjoyed the ease of stopping or pulling over without the concern of our length or size. I’m looking forward to more stunning scenery with my camera.
LikeLike
Wow!
You saw so much, Ingrid.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Ingrid,
I’m glad you had the opportunity to get on the road again. I can really feel with you how it is with 2 years without travelling. It was the same with us before we got to Ireland this April. We had been stationary because of Covid and it feels like two lost years. Well, we’re doing our best to make up for these two years: like I said, in April we were in Ireland, from next Monday on Mary and her cousin will be in Iceland for 8 days, and in October Mary and I will be in Europe [Germany, the Netherlands, belgium and France].
I can understand that you had to get used to travelling without your RV. Having your own “home” with you really makes a difference. But you managed to pack what you needed.
We took way too much with us on our trip to Ireland. Being allowed 2 checked pieces of luggage of 70 lbs each plus 2 carry-ons was too much enticement to pack. Luckily we have a truck:
Well, next time we’ll do better = lighter. It was difficult to manage all that stuff in the airports.
Anyway: enjoy your stationary life, and take care,
Pit
LikeLike
Sounds like you are indeed making up for lost time and that you enjoyed your Ireland trip. Packing light usually isn’t a problem for me, but I felt out of practice.. We’re hoping to get out and about a little more. I know you’re looking forward to the upcoming trips. Enjoy!
LikeLike
I’m glad you and Al finally managed to get out and travel for a couple of (long) days. The scenery along your route is some of the best in the country!
If it were me, I would have broken the trip up in two or three days each way. That would have allowed you to linger and explore more – and drive less each day. Maybe next time? I’m sure you missed the RV. It gives us so much more freedom, comfort, and time.
LikeLike
Agree, that scenery in Utah is some of the best. Next time, we’ll break it up into two days, but this time we were challenging ourselves to see how we felt driving through. It was a bit of an experiment as we see ourselves visiting my brother a little more frequently. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing photos! The sky is so blue and the colors so vibrant. So glad you could get out on the road and I hope Colorado weather treated you okay. It’s been wild up here this summer.
LikeLike
Seems the weather has been wild across the country. We got lucky and enjoyed perfect weather during our entire five day excursion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, thanks so much for sharing! Sound like an a saint trip! Eager to go back on a road trip here!
LikeLike
My pleasure. Utah offers some of the most unique and stunning landscapes worth revisiting.
LikeLike
Great post !
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. It was a fun trip.
LikeLike
This looks like a wonderful road trip full of the sort of scenery I love! But I can’t imagine covering all of this in a single day. We think our drives to the north of England to see Chris’s family are long enough at five hours 😀
LikeLike
Five hours is a very doable day and much preferred over the ten hour drive. In the future, we’ll probably break the drive up into two days especially when surrounded by such beautiful scenery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yay for road trips! We’re still deciding about whether or not to get another RV. Like you, we miss the convenience of having our home-on-wheels with us wherever we go…but now that we’re not full timing, we’re not sure it’s worth owning an RV. We love that red rock desert landscape, and your photos are beautiful!
LikeLiked by 1 person
We are definitely on the fence regarding another RV. Part of us misses it and other times we don’t. Time will tell, but I know we’ll be visiting red rock country again.
LikeLike
Yay.. a road trip. Other than the traffic snafu, it sounds like a great trip. Is there another RV in your future??? 😁
LikeLike
Traffic and construction become part of the adventure especially when we’ve traveled as much as we have. I know you can relate. We’re on the fence about another RV. The longer we go without one, the less interest we have in getting one which is very surprising to us both. We did go looking at potential options recently and weren’t excited about anything. I guess time will tell!
LikeLike
Your photos are stunning. Makes me want to take a break from work and get out there with the camera. Looks like you had a great time on your journey, we are heading out again in a few weeks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ya just can’t go wrong with Utah. Thus, it made for the perfect road trip. I look forward to hearing about your next excursion.
LikeLike
Ingrid, I’m so happy to see your beautiful images this morning! I’m glad to see you were on the road again. I remember having to go through learning to pack all over again when we stopped traveling in our RV. On a recent road trip in my car I asked Henry if he missed towing the fifth wheel. I think you can guess his answer!
LikeLike
I’m assuming Henry said, “No”. I know, we don’t miss hauling it around. However, during this road trip when I pulled into a parking lot, I maneuvered the truck as if I were pulling the 5th wheel. When Al mentioned that I didn’t need to swing out so far, we both realized what I had done and laughed. Old habits die hard LOL.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, he said NO! We tried an Airbnb this year and loved it. Also don’t mind motels for overnight stays. We don’t make long road trips anymore.
LikeLike
I can relate. We’re not eager to do any long trips either. 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can take a traveler off the road, but you can’t possibly take the road from the heart of a traveler. Ingrid, just imagine how many images are still waiting out there for you to capture! These are gorgeous – and I’m loving that old wagon!
LikeLike
Oh, don’t even get me going with the potential photo-ops especially with this new camera. I have so many places in Utah that I’d love to return to. After this trip, my head is swirling with ideas.
LikeLike
So lovely to see a post from you in my reader. Sound like you & Al had a lovely little adventure and as usual, your photos are absolutely stunning!❤️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Lynn. A road trip was long overdue and it felt good to have the wheels rolling again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I sure wish I could write as well as you Ingrid. I enjoy reading your stuff regardless of the subject.
LikeLike
Awe, thank you Larry and so nice hearing from you.
LikeLike
Thats great that you got to take the trip. You should have taken alittle more time.
Life is short and there is much to see and do. If you can do it so what is the rush to get there and back. You will never regret it. Next time spend more time doing what you like to do. I found I stopped and did what everyone else wanted me to do and didnot get to get out as much. Now I can so I am hitting the road.
Next time stop and smell the roses!
I hope that didnot sound mean.
Love the pictures!
LikeLike
Totally agree! When we had the RV we did indeed linger. Fortunately, we’ll be visiting my brother again and again and will keep taking this very route. Thus, we’ll take time to explore some places we missed with the RV 😊
LikeLike
Beautiful shots, Ingrid. I understand the urge to travel. I have the same disease and don’t plan to take anything to get rid of it. 🙂 I also understand the convenience of having an RV, but as I grew up going on road trips without one, we’re not going to be joining that group. But we certainly will keep traveling and I know you two will also.
LikeLike
Although we haven’t totally negated the thought of another RV, our leanings are toward a new chapter…. a chapter that may include a new SUV. I was so impressed by yours that it got my brain swirling. Stay tuned!
LikeLike
🙂 I highly recommend ours. Can’t wait to try the 4-wheel drive in Wyoming next month! I may have to take the direction you did rather than go to Albuquerque and then north. It would make a nice change.
LikeLike
I highly recommend this Utah route. From I-70 in CO head north from Rifle into WY. It’ll be a nice change from I-25 and dealing with Denver and Springs traffic.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, the traffic there is horrible. I miss the drive from Chicago. 😁. I think I’ll be trying it this year as I was already considering it but your post made it even more likely.
LikeLike
Be sure and let me know how the route works out for you. I do NOT miss the Chicago drive 😁
LikeLike
Since we left from Naperviile and didn’t have to go through the city, that was good. I’d always stop in Mauston, WI to stock up at Carr Valley Cheese and stay in Mitchell , SD to see the Corn Palace. Of course the Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, and the Black Hills were all along the way and a side trip would get us to Devil’s Tower. It was a beautiful ride filled various scenery.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Road trips are best! Looked like a great trip.
LikeLike
The pull of the road is strong! Happy to see you were able to get out again to enjoy it. So nice to have a “fixed” destination to help in the planning. Blue sky and red rock are such a wondrous combination, and you captured it so well!
LikeLike
There are parts of us that miss having an RV and then other parts that don’t miss the hassle. I think we’ll try another year without an RV and travel via a vehicle only and see how that goes. I’m sure you can relate. Fortunately, my brother lives in a great place to visit and we always have tons of fun hanging out together.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Good to hear you guys are back on the road! Enjoy!
LikeLike
A road trip was long overdue, and we’re already itching to head out again.
LikeLike
Stunning shots. Love them all. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
My pleasure. It was a great trip.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi, Ingrid,
It’s good to have you back in the blogosphere, even if only sporadically. Folks who don’t travel by RV have no understanding of how folks like us get used to the conveniences and the flexibility. I don’t even want to think about the day we have to give it up (although I’m grounded right now waiting for two axles). Thanks for sharing the awesome photos, and say hello to Al for us. Joe
LikeLike
We’re still struggling with the idea of another RV. Part of us really misses it and the other part doesn’t miss the hassles. We’re on the fence right now. It still remains the BEST way to travel though. 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
Absolutely beautiful! Lovely post all the way around!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Debbie. This trip was exactly what we needed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those are indeed gorgeous skies.
LikeLike
Those views never get old. 😊
LikeLike
Gorgeous images 💚
LikeLike
Thank you. It was fun capturing them.
LikeLike
Oh, what iconic shots of Monument Valley and Moab, Ingrid! Places I am DYING to visit. Stunning shots of the red rocks against the blue skies, perfect for showing off the color blue this week. I would have wanted to linger too, but at least you enjoyed the drive on your way to your family! Egads on the traffic back-up–seems inevitable more and more 😦
LikeLike
Yeah, that traffic backup was due to a huge construction crane traveling 10 mph on a two-lane road 🥴 Eventually he pulled over to allow the LONG line of cars, trucks, and RVs to pass him, but that took 30 minutes. Oh well, all part of the travel adventure. Next time you guys head down this way (or up), you really should drive via Moab and Monument Valley. You won’t be disappointed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Southern Utah is definitely on our list of must-sees, Ingrid!
LikeLike
When the time comes, I’m here if you’d like ideas and suggestions.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will do, thank you!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m so jealous! It must have been so nice to travel and spend time with family, both are difficult these days.
LikeLike
Yes, it was wonderful and long overdue. Hopefully it won’t be another 2 years before we’re able to repeat.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lord willing! It’s crazy how long it can take for everyone to have the time, money, and ability to see one another.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great photos. We love the 4-corners and Monument valley area.
LikeLike
So do we! We never tire of that gorgeous scenery.
LikeLike
What a great trip! I imagine the trick appreciated the drive without the RV, though I am sure it felt strange without pulling something. As always your photos are amazing – crisp, colorful, and telling the rest of the story. Visitors and visiting is always fun.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What was really funny is when I drove and pulled into a parking lot, I maneuvered the truck as if I was pulling the 5th wheel. Al and I broke out laughing. It was a great excursion.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Old habits die hard!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful iconic western landscapes.
LikeLike
I’m itching to get back into NM … so many hidden gems.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow, you saw so much beauty, Ingrid! I have never been that way but maybe someday!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not too far from your neck of the woods. When we lived in Vegas, we made a big loop of a vacation that included southern Utah. Fond memories!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s further than I usually go from Vegas, but my sister is renting a place in the Phoenix area this winter, so I will be driving down there which is around six hours.
LikeLike
Hopefully, you won’t be traveling until the heat subsides somewhat. It’s brutal today 🥵 Let me know if you’d like to meetup when you’re in my neighborhood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I will! 🤙🏻☺️
LikeLiked by 1 person