Monday, June 6, 2011

Torrey

We've called Torrey, Utah home for the last four nights. With a population of 171, it's definitely a small town. In fact, you're pretty much looking at it. Torrey is basically a wide spot in the road in the middle of nowhere.

There's something to be said for life in the middle of nowhere. Torrey's backdrop is Thousand Lake Mountain and towering sandstone. It's the next best thing to Capitol Reef National Park, which is just a few miles away.

We have enjoyed our stay at Thousand Lakes RV Park very much. The staff and guests are all great people. We especially appreciate the patience of the office staff when we had to jiggle our plans to accommodate our detour to Grand Junction. This was the last spot available for our moose when we arrived. With rigs on each side of us, it was definitely a tight squeeze. But, we were so glad to have a spot, even if it was just water and electric. After everyone left, we had a lot more room.

With the park nearly empty, we opted to move to a spacious and shaded pull-through with full hookups. Here we had room to put out our chairs and enjoy a view of the grassy lawn and refreshing pool.

The nearest Walmart is more than 60 miles from here. But, we were able to pick up everything we needed at the General Store in town.

While we enjoyed some tasty burgers at Slacker's, two couples pulled up on motorcycles pulling nifty trailers. Here's one.

And, here's the other. Looks like a fun way to travel. But, we love our moose and squirrel!

When we weren't visiting Capitol Reef, we did a bit of geocaching in and around town. Even in the middle of nowhere there are caches! Paul was picking up caches way down low, here along a creek north of town.

And, he found another way up high. If you click on this photo you might see Paul standing tall after scrambling up this hill in Fishlake National Forest to make a find.

While Paul was climbing, I was enjoying this peaceful spot that would be perfect for boondocking, if you had a four-wheel-drive RV.

This massive tree along a county road is home to another cache we found.

We found another at this clever historical marker commemorating a local grist mill.

One of our nine cache finds had us treading where we probably weren't supposed to. Of course we spotted this sign on our way back to the Jeep.

We ventured down the road a few miles to Bicknell for a bit more hunting. Here Paul is signing a cache log on the steps of the Relief Society Hall.

The weather in Torrey has been wonderful during our stay. But, like so many of areas of the southwest, it is bone dry here. On the way back from a run to Loa one windy afternoon, we encountered what looked like smoke crossing the road. With no fire in sight, it soon became apparent the source of the obscured road conditions: Dust!


At an elevation of 6800 feet, Torrey has treated us to sunny days near 70 degrees and nights that cool off into the 30s. Those are the perfect conditions to have these local lilacs blooming in June.

We're not sure we'd want to be here in the Winter, but Torrey is a great place to enjoy the start of Summer. Tomorrow we head for much warmer climate in Utah's Dixie and Zion National Park.

2 comments:

squawmama said...

Sounds like you guys had the best time there in Torrey... I would love it t here! BUT I know you'll have fun down in Zion. It is one of our many favorite places. We stayed in the campground right in the park.
Have f un & Travel safe
Donna

ps... I just startred another blog for Campground & RV park reviews... It is under consruction and I hope to add the many parks we stayed in over the last 7 years of full timing. So come on over and follow our blog and add it to your favorites so you can see the parks we review... Thanks
http://www.tassiescampgroundreviews.blogspot.com/

Sue and Doug said...

Torrey looks like a great 'small town America'!..with great picture taking opportunities!!..and geocaching!!!