Kingman to Utah

We left Kingman at last at 8:30 Friday morning. We had air pressure for the brakes and the suspension but now the engine temperature gauge that had been repaired yesterday was not working again! We were not going to go back but called them on the phone anyway as we turned off I-40 onto highway 93 towards the Hoover Dam. Their response was that we take the rig to another Freightliner shop and have the service dept. phone for authorization for a warranty repair. Since we were on our way (eventually) to Redding California for them to correct the odometer, that fitted in well with our plans so we pressed on, again without a temp gauge. There were no major mountains in our way so we weren't concerned.

We had last crossed the Hoover Dam two years ago and the construction was taking shape--and what a project! Because the dam is considered a major terrorist target commercial trucks are not permitted to cross and only a few years ago were RVs allowed. This created a huge costly detour for the commercial traffic. A few miles before the dam all vehicles are stopped and searched. There was very little traffic and so we were soon on our way. Funny thing, of the three man team that checked us out, we recognised 2 of the officers from our previous trip. The third looked familiar but we couldn't be sure.


The major construction is to build a new road and bridge route so that traffic will no longer drive over the surface of the dam. The dam and hydroelectric installation is quite impressive in itself, but the new bridge that will take traffic high above is something else.



The main support arch is about half built, a quarter out from each side, held in place by an array of pylons and massive cables. This will be a spectacular crossing when finished and we imagine it will provide a spectacular view as well. Remember, this was in progress two years ago. It will take some time to complete.


The north bound traffic was extremely light, it was still early in the day and weekend traffic hadn't started yet so we drove straight across. South bound was a different story--there was a lot of traffic, made worse by the parade of hundreds of minis, obviously out on a run of some sort.




Before we knew it we were through Las Vagas in spite of a detour and onto the I-15 East. About half way to Utah we stopped at an off ramp for an early lunch about 11:30. Back on the road again Art realised that the temperature gauge was working again! The problem had been loose connection at the gauge wiring, so now that we know here to look, hopefully if it goes out again Art will have half a chance of repairing it at least temporarily.

A little further up I-15 we entered the Virgin River Canyon--a taste of things to come. This the same river that formed a major canyon in Zion National Park, our reason for this detour on our way home.

Gillian was navigating this section so she recommended that we bypass St George and stop in Leeds, from where we would tour the canyons by car. Art thinks it was just her Yorkshire heritage coming through! In any case it was a good call and we found a very pleasant campground in this little village--one gas station, one grocery store and 2 RV parks. We arrived early in the afternoon, 2:PM to us, but really 3PM by Mountain Daylight Time.

We booked in to the Zion West RV Park for 2 nights and Art pushed the buttons to level the rig and extend the slides --oh oh! The dinette slide wouldn't extend completely and the bedroom slide not at all!. Retract the jacks, ask Gillian which kitchen funnel she could live with out and about 2 litres of automatic transmission fluid added to the hydraulic reservoir had everything working as it should. If there is a small leak somewhere it should be easy to spot as the ATF is dyed red! While he carried on and connected the requisite hoses and cables then checked out our internet connection Gillian started a couple of loads of laundry and made a quick run to the grocery store.

For dinner tonight we were going full out; Pork chops, mashed potatoes, green beans, asparagus and a $4.00 (US) bottle of Shiraz. Best four dollar plonk we have ever had.

It has been very cold here over night, just above freezing, so we turned on the heat pump, even though it is located under the bed, thinking the cold would be more likely to interfere with our sleep than the noise. We can't use the propane furnace unless absolutely necessary because the air blowing out of the floor vents terrifies Tia. She will not walk past them. As there is one in the bedroom by her bed. . . .

Tomorrow we will be off in the car to tour Zion National Park.