JoanandtheBoys: Catching Up-Wyoming, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico

After leaving Jackson, Wyoming we headed south to a place called the Star Valley. It abuts Idaho and was settled in the late 1870's by Mormons, some of whom practiced polygamy and were unwelcome in Idaho. Apparently Wyoming wasn't picky and was eager to gain hardworking residents in order to achieve statehood.

Thayne and Alpine are in the Star Valley

Before the valley was colonized, it was the summer and fall residence of Shoshone Indians as game was abundant and the valley had numerous salt deposits.

Salt River running through the Star Valley

Star Valley

The valley is still heavily Mormon (a 1951 historical article-the most recent on the subject I could find, estimated 95%) and in 2011 it was announced that the Star Valley Mormon Temple would be built. We just missed the groundbreaking, which occurred on April 25, 2015.

Thousands attended the groundbreaking for the new Temple, coming in cars and trucks as well as horseback from various parts of Wyoming and Idaho

The town of Afton will be the site of the new Temple. The town is known for its the arch, made of the largest number of elk horns.

The valley was laid back and agricultural compared to Jackson. The people were very nice and we stayed in a cute park that had a cafe on the grounds. I tried another bison burger which was as good as the Jackson one, and was under $10. The rich and famous don't seem to flock to the Star Valley so prices are reasonable. The boys got their vaccinations updated so they could be boarded while we took a train ride to the Grand Canyon. More on that later!!

Star Valley RV Park and Cafe. Max was very suspicious of the wolf statue

A solution to jail overcrowding

This was taken from the car-the fox was right off the pavement. Now I know where the term foxhole comes from!

View from Star Valley campground one afternoon

I had read about a development that included RV spots for sale but sadly it was done without much aesthetic appeal. Too bad, as the huge ranch (comprised of three original homesteads) was quite lovely before being developed.

Leaving Wyoming we were drove through Utah and headed to Williams, Arizona where we booked a spot in the RV Park owned by the Grand Canyon Railroad. It was very convenient and included a dog boarding facility on the premises. Despite significant US travel, I had never seen the Grand Canyon from the ground. Years ago I saw the canyon from a small plane out of Sedona, AZ. We decided to visit the canyon via the rail because it would be less crowded (waits at the south entrance by car can be one-two hours), plus we like trains.

Those who know us well are familiar with the fact that we NEVER board the dogs. Sometimes they have house sitters but never kennels. That is why I was unconcerned when the bordatella vaccination lapsed by a month. We decided to leave them for the day, though I was anxious. Raggie is frail and needs help getting around at times and I worried that Max would panic, thinking he was being returned to a shelter after having been in 8 places we know of, including 3 shelters, before coming to us. We decided to go ahead after viewing the facility and talking to the staff. It seemed very well run and we were encouraged to bring their beds, toys, special food etc.

I didn't take a picture but the parade of pet parents bringing in their mutts was hilarious. Huge beds, toys, special food, bowls... After all the animals would be there for 10 hours! I felt better as I was not alone in my hand wringing. One attendant explained that such concern was common and that one woman even cried when she left her dog. We returned that afternoon bearing treats and found the boys delighted to see us and escape confinement but no worse for their experience.

The train trip was very fun. It started with a shoot out in a western "town." We then boarded our luxury car, which had an observation dome and plus lounge below, with access to the rear platform. Coffee, continental breakfast and a bar for those who can face alcohol in the morning made it quite pleasant.

Upon arriving we took a 2 mile walk on the rim, seeing various overlooks and the Colorado River.
I really liked viewing the National Park buildings, designed with so much care and character.

The lovely Hotel El Tovar was opened in 1905 following construction of the 65-mile spur to the South Rim from Williams. The Fred Harvey Company (now Xanterra Parks and Resorts) has managed the hotel from the beginning. The hotel was named for the Spanish explorer, Don Pedro de Tobar who reported the existence of the canyon to fellow explorers. Parts of the interior were designed by Mary Colter who later built many famous Grand Canyon buildings.

El Tovar Hotel at the South Rim

El Tovar Hotel Lobby

Hopi House at the Grand Canyon South Rim

Mary Coulter was the architect who designed the Hopi House. An interesting woman, born in 1869. She studied design in San Francisco and apprenticed with an architectural firm. The field was dominated by men but she worked for the Fred Harvey Company for 46 years, from 1902, designing many buildings and known for using natural materials that fit the landscape. The Hopi House was designed to look like a Hopi Pueblo and Hopi labor was used to construct it. It serves to display and offer for sale Indian crafts.

The return trip featured a train robbery and the passengers had lots of fun negotiating with the robbers. One woman offered an IOU for a gambling win in a poker game.

The western town of Williams was the last section of Route 66 to be replaced by the I-40. It retains a real western feel though now dominated by people heading to the Grand Canyon Southern entrance via car or rail.

We took a one day side trip to Prescott, Sedona and Oak Creek Canyon. It was quick, pretty warm and since the dogs were with us, we really didn't stop. Prescott is being overdeveloped, like so many places, Sedona has grown but some building codes seem to have kept its flavor and Oak Creek Canyon is lovely.

Leaving Arizona we headed to one of our favorite states, New Mexico. With two days to kill before going to Santa Fe we stayed at a fun Route 66 RV park in Albuequerque that played to the theme of the Route 66 era.

I love seeing these old RV's. I grew up camping with a Teardrop Trailer, hence my love for RV travel.

My Mom had one of these Ironrites. Sheets and boxer shorts were among the items properly pressed.

Remember these beauties

The first night's sunset reminded me why I love this state.

Sunset in Albuquerque

We were delighted to secure 10 nights at our favorite Santa Fe RV park, built in 1949. It is an over 55 park so there are no squealing kids on bikes and skateboards to make Max crazy. The park has lots of charm and friendly staff. Pancho has his own tree which helps as we now have warm weather.