Graffiti Found At Arches National Park

Above, rock formations at Arches National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Back in July, I took a driving tour of Arches National Park near Moab, Utah. This was my first visit to this national park.

It was interesting to see the different red rock formations throughout the park.

It has been reported that bad behavior has struck the park. Too bad there are people who are compelled to do stupid things.

Deseret News reported:

Visitors to Arches National Park found the popular Devils Garden Trail vandalized with white spray-painted images of smiley faces, doodles and several iterations of what appears to be the word “GRUG” on the red rock.

Allyson Mathis, a retired National Park Service employee, found the defaced landscape while hiking with a friend last week. And that’s not all she encountered.

Speaking with a reporter from Outside, she described seeing a dog walking with other visitors — pets are not permitted on trails in Arches — and toilet paper strewn about the desert. That was in addition to the scale of the spray-paint defacement.

“It was everywhere,” Mathis said. “It was heartbreaking and upsetting, but unfortunately not surprising.”

To read more, go here. 

Major Google Maps Update

Above, the motorhome at Arches National Park Visitor Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my vacation in July to Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Utah, I made good use out of Google maps. I also made good use out of a paper road atlas.

That wasn't the app version, but the one available to anyone online. 

For those who use the app version, there will be major updates coming, some of which could "doom" trip planner apps.

From RV Travel:

The day of paying for an app to help you plan your trip’s route or find places and services along the road may soon be over.

Google is rolling out a major update to its Google Maps that uses artificial intelligence to make it easier for RVers and other motorists to navigate unfamiliar towns, find fuel or groceries near a campground or safely guide a large rig through tight turns and avoid routes with low bridges. And it won’t cost a penny.

The upgrades come from integrating Google’s Gemini AI directly into maps, adding smarter voice assistance, more intuitive directions, and better on-the-ground exploration tools. It’s GPS on steroids.

To read more, go here. 

RV Camping Near Utah’s Stunning National Parks

Above, Moab KOA is just minutes from Arches National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During a recent trip to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota, we stayed a night in Moab, Utah at the Moab KOA.

As we were taking our time in going to Wyoming, we took a driving tour through Arches National Park. This was the first time I've visited the park.

Above, Arches National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

This is Go RVing posted a list of RV camping near Utah's national parks. 

They begin it with:

Utah is home to some of the most iconic landscapes in the American Southwest—towering sandstone arches, sculpted red rock canyons, and vast desert vistas. For RV travelers, Utah’s national parks provide an unforgettable road trip experience. While booking a campsite inside the parks can be a challenge, there are many well-appointed, privately owned RV campgrounds just outside these parks that offer full hookups, excellent amenities, and easier availability.

Here are four of Utah’s most visited parks, along with nearby private campgrounds that offer a comfortable and convenient base for your adventures.

To read more, go here. 

Arches National Park

Above, an interesting rock formation. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The first attraction stop on the trip to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota was at Arches National Park.

Above. the RV performed well during the trip. Here
 it is at the visitor center. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It was the first time I've been there. I was somewhat disappointed that there weren't more arches easily accessible from the road without taking a hike. But the terrain was spectacular. I got to see one arch, though.

Here's some photos:

Travel Photos

Above, at Mustang Sally's in Deadwood, South Dakota. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

 A little while ago, I uploaded the photos from the Wyoming-South Dakota trip from my Canon camera.

There's about 158 of them. I'll be post some over the next few days.

In the meantime, here's some from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and Mount Rushmore:

Made It To Cody, Wyoming

Above, Mitch and I at the Moab KOA.

 Mitch Geriminsky and I made it to Cody, Wyoming today.

We left New Mexico a couple of days earlier than planned as Mitch was getting sick from the elevation of New Mexico. As we had more time, we took our time driving to Wyoming. 

We stayed at KOA Kampgrounds for the most part, except for last night's stay at Eagle RV Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming. I was getting drowsy during the drive and decided to find an RV park at the next town we were coming to. It worked out just fine. They only charged $40 for the campsite. Today's drive was an easy 83-mile drive from Thermopolis to Cody. We got into town around 8:00 this morning. We had breakfast at Grannys Restaurant.

Before checking into the KOA in Cody, we went to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and toured the Buffalo Bill and Firearms Museums. 

We may take in the nightly rodeo tonight. There's a free shuttle from the KOA to the rodeo.

Above, on the road in Arches National Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along the way, we stopped in Arches National Park in Utah. It was a nice park, but somewhat disappointing as most of the arches required hikes. They should have built them closer to the road.

Above, yours truly at Arches National Park Visitor Center. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Above, Mitch at Flaming Gorge Resort. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Above, Cody KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.