The 2023 Grander Adventure
August 9
We began our adventure on August 9, 2023, leaving Gold Canyon and arriving Summer Sage Stables in Flagstaff around 2PM. Not the greatest equestrian campground. Very run down.
Stalls for our boys large enough with runs,
but not properly mucked out and having some safety issues.
Our overnight spot was okay, but the electric box was engulfed in weeds so it was difficult to get to.
http://www.summersagestables.com/
August 10
A few photos from our drive north. Some south and some west of Page, AZ.
August 10-11
August 10th and 11th were spent at by far the nicest facility we have ever stayed at. Miller's Knoll in Panguitch, Utah. Very close to Bryce so we did a day trip to the park. The young couple who own and run the place are amazing. They have put a lot of work and heart into it and continue to do so. Lovely full hookup sites, room to ride on their 50 acres. The barn is immaculate. I can't stop at giving this place 10 stars...there must be an option for at least 15!
Also a few Photos of Bryce Canyon...
August 12
Did a necessary overnight in Ogden, Utah at Wasatch View Stables.
Acceptable for a one night layover but only 15-20amps available so be prepared for that!
August 13-14
We did this campground, Diamond P, 2 years ago, and rode our horses in their woods, avoiding Yellowstone National Park. This year we decided to just be tourists, and did the park. The campground is just a few miles from the west gate of Yellowstone. It's not a 10 star by far. You need to get the 12x12 panel pens on the south side, not the 10x10 old wooden ones on the north side. None have covers.
Partial hookups, absolutely no gray dumping. But good for 1 or 2 nights.
https://thediamondpranch.com/camping/
Spent a few hours in Yellowstone National Park. Too many tourists (tourons) and construction,
but glad we did it!
Firehole River
Firehole Falls
Midway Geyser Basin
Excelsior Geyser
Grand Prismatic Spring in the Fog!
Opal Pool
Turquoise Pool
Crowds Awaiting Old Faithful Geyser
Old Faithful right on time!
Yellowstone Lake
Worst lunch ever and $$$ at Canyon Village
Sulphur Caldron
Yellowstone River
August 15-16
Drove to Billings, Montana. Spent 2 nights at a very nice facility, The Equine Motel aka Box T Ranch. Rada and Butch own and run it meticulously. Large partially covered runs, partial hookups for our LQ, hay and mucking out included in the price. Very close to shopping and a clean laundromat.
There is also a gas station nearby with a free RV dump.
August 17-26
We then spent 10 nights in the North Dakota Badlands at Kings Guest Ranch in Medora. Owned and operated by Rhonda King, this was an amazing experience. We were parked next to her garage and had full hookups. Her WiFi works in her garage but only sporadically in our trailer. No Verizon so felt a bit isolated. Rhonda was an awesome hostess. Very caring and obliging. She even took us on a private guided ride in the Badlands Wilderness.
The horses were in large shaded corrals about 1/4 mile from our trailer.
This is Rhonda's Group Camping Area, although there were individual trailers there when we were at her garage. No WiFi or Verizon out there. This is where the corrals are. She also has an RV she rents as an AirBnB. It's parked by the trees.
This is the new round pen. After not having been ridden in over 3 months,
we had to spend the first 3 days just working the piss and vinegar out of our Boys!
They loved rolling in the sand!
Took in the views to get a feel for where the trails went.
The boys finally settled down enough for a real ride!
So much corn!
Picnic spot was perfect
This was the ride Rhonda took us on. 12 1/2 miles...5.5 hours.
Luckily this thunderstorm missed us!
Rhonda has a great eye for photography and knows all of the perfect Kodak Moment spots!
A day too hot to ride so decided to be tourists in Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
A short Farewell Ride
August 27-September 1
Left North Dakota for South Dakota.
Spent the first 6 nights at Bridle Ridge Horse and RV Camp in Custer.
Very nice facility. Beautiful barn although the 10' x 11' stalls are a bit small, especially for Jack. They also require pellet bedding which can get costly. A large breezeway but not quite large enough to comfortably saddle so we ended up just saddling in the stalls. Horses not allowed at the trailers.
The RV area is nicely kept as well. Quite a few pull-through spots and a number of back-in premium spots against the forest. All with full hookups and a picnic table. Verizon works great in the RV area.
The riding is beautiful. Forests of Pine and Aspen, and interesting rock formations.
We didn't get Gaia set up properly so will need to go back and further explore the extensive trail system.
This is the Crazy Horse Monument.
Custer is a fun little tourist town. Some good eats. We enjoyed lunch twice at The Buglin' Bull.
And we did our laundry at a unique laundromat/tanning salon/video store!
September 2-5
Moved just 8 miles across the woods to Hell Canyon Horse Camp. This was closer to Custer but completely off the grid and very close to the highway. Those were the only cons though.
The barn was large with generous partially covered runs and a large breezeway. The RV parking was nothing fancy, average sized spots with full hookups.
We got lucky and had a spot right next to the barn.
The riding was exceptional. A large assortment of trails right out of camp. We had a better map so could explore more easily. If they get Verizon and I can find better earplugs...we might just return!
Outdoor kitchen right next to our RV Site
Dirt road leading to a wide assortment of trails directly from the Ranch.
Second Ride was probably one of the best we've ever done. A 12 mile loop down to French Creek. Jack does not like water crossings and there were probably over a dozen! He balked at the first two. Then he tasted the water and seemed to decide that if it's good enough to drink, it's okay to cross.
He was a champ from then on!
September 6-8
Left the Dakotas and stayed 3 nights at The Best Little Horse House in Wyoming.
This is strictly for overnight boarding. Partial hookups, large partially covered corrals for our boys.
We just used the time to shop and regroup.
September 9
Another overnight stop at Greenhorn Horse Hotel in Colorado City, Colorado. Very clean, lovely owner. Large stalls and runs. Partial hookups.
Very close to I-25 so a bit of traffic noise, but great for one night.
September 10-13
Needed a 3-nighter to wait out thunderstorms before completing our Grand Adventure.
This place was far from perfect but served our immediate needs. The owner seems nice enough, but to name one of her corrals "Jihad" was a bit disconcerting. She did warn us about the close proximity to railroad tracks. Very close proximity. And although the trains are infrequent, the commuter rail runs 3 times between 5 and 7AM, and then again in the evening, blasting it's whistle literally right behind the boys' corral and run-ins. And during the day there is the occasional AmTrack as well as a freight train now and then. They were not amused, (neither were we) and it screwed up their eating habits. So despite any pros, there were way too many cons. Partial hookups. Crammed area to maneuver the LQ.
Looking out the driveway...
...and into the property.
took some work to back into here
And here comes the Commuter Train!
The Jihad Corral. Hm-m-m-m.
The neighbor on one side.
The neighbor on the other side.
The maneuvering out was about as difficult as getting in and parked was.
We have a 39' LQ and the owner guaranteed us we'd have no problem. Well, if not for my skillful hubby we probably would have taken down her fence. As it is we gave her some free tree trimming.
So beware...it's really not for any LQ over 35'!
September 14-16
Our last 3 nights were spent in Alpine, AZ at The Aspen Lodge.
Weather didn't cooperate so we couldn't ride but a very lovely, peaceful facility in the White Mountains.
Because it had rained heavily before we arrived the mare motel was quite muddy, having poor drainage.
There are 5 full hookup LQ sites, all back in with hookups to the rear.
This could be a problem if you don't have sufficient water and sewer hose, as well as power cord length.
As we were the only ones there, they let us park parallel.
But if this area was full the trailers, they would be very close together.
We are actually parked across 3 sites! You can possibly see the other hookups to the right.
The meadow directly behind the sites.
There are also cabins available.
The Mare Motel.
The Shower Shack.
Nice sturdy hitching rails just beside the RV sites
And the end has come...till next year!
It was a wild ride. Already planning 2024! Thanks for following us, Friends and Family!
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