Week 39: Zion to Sun Valley, ID

After leaving Zion and heading north on Interstate 15, I felt a wonderful sense of excitement; it was the first time since Jasper, Alberta that the RV, Trooper and I were headed in a northern direction.  

I was heading for Park City, UT which was the last stop on my list of places to visit.  It was with mixed emotions knowing that my journey was coming to end; I had no idea where I was going to call home but was overwhelmed with joy that 9 months and 20,000 miles were behind me.  The journey has been blessed with health, safety, wonderful new friends, and beauty and magic that photos and a blog will never quite justify.  

Park City, UT
When I arrived in Park City on Wednesday morning, 9/17 I pulled into the nicest Visitor Center I have seen.  It overlooks the Olympic ski jumps and is home to a great little coffee shop called Hugo’s.

The Olympic Ski Jumps with signs of Fall

I decided to stay at Jordanelle State Park just outside Park City for a couple of days to enjoy some R&R after a speed tour through Southern Utah.  The park's reservoir and views of the gentle mountains of Deer Valley Ski Area with brilliant fall colors of yellow and red were a perfect setting.  Trooper and I enjoyed early morning and dusk walks to enjoy the cool temperatures.  For the first time, it felt like we were greeted by Fall.  

Our campsite overlooking the Jordanelle Reservoir

Deer Valley from our campsite

Bright signs of Fall

Trooper enjoying a sunset dip

On Friday, 9/19 I felt well rested and drove into downtown Park City.  The town roads were tight and maneuvering the RV was a bit tough, so I went back to the Ski Area to park and walk into town.  The town is smaller than I thought and clearly off-season with few people and lots of construction.  I grabbed breakfast at Atticus Books and walked around town for a little while.  

Park City Mountain Resort

During my time on the road, I have learned to trust my intuition and since I wasn’t “feeling it” in Park City after just a few hours, I continued north on I-15.  I wasn't quite sure where I was heading, but after chatting with my father and hearing his fond memories of Idaho, I decided to head into Sun Valley.  The drive out of Salt Lake City was a bit white-knuckled with all the traffic (and who knew Park City is literally a suburb of SLC?). 

Sun Valley, ID
After 7 hours of driving, I pulled into Snowbunny Drive-In in Hailey, ID.  The parking lot was packed and I was hungry, so my assumption that it must be a local favorite proved correct.  Trooper and I devoured a delicious burger and fries on our drive into Ketchum, ID.

It was getting dark and I had no idea where I was staying or what options I had.  After driving around for a bit and finally stopping a local cop, he told me to drive in any direction and “just find a spot to pull over”.  A very different reaction than most local authorities when asking where to park a 27' rig.  I found Boundary Campground just north of town and pulled in just in time to call it a night and fall asleep to the sounds of wolves howling and elk bugling… one of the first nights I slept with my bedroom window all the way open.

Great campsite with Bald Mountain in the background

As if HE'S done all the driving!

I spent Saturday working on the RV and trying to repair the windshield with super glue (in 20,000 miles I had no issues until I hit highway 75 into Sun Valley where, in 30 minutes, I had two rocks dent the windshield!).  On Sunday, 9/21 I thought I was going to part ways with Sun Valley but after meeting several locals walking around town, I decided to stick around.  I was overwhelmed with the welcoming and generous vibe.

At Velocio Coffeehouse (ironically previously a Tully's), I met Scott, his daughter Emma and their 5-month old mini-Labordoodle while sitting outside enjoying a gorgeous sunny morning.  After a little while, Scott offered to take me on an afternoon hike or show me around town.  I needed to do laundry, so after exchanging information, I headed to LaundroMutt where I met the owners Candi and Bruce.  After a few minutes, Candi and Trooper were snuggled on the lawn outside and not only did she invite me to dinner, but she gave me their YMCA pass to shower while I waited for my laundry.  

Scott and I on a local hike

Trooper with a new girlfriend, Candi

Yes, that's a bright pink lip smack!

This place called Sun Valley quickly and undeniably became the friendliest town I had ever been to.  So, I did what anyone would do… I spent the next week pretending to be a local.  As each day passed, I met so many locals who offered to help me find a job, a house, and even a husband!  It was a week blessed with amazing new friends, dinner at great places like Enoteca (ironically used to be the Starbucks), hiking and mountain biking the plethora of great trails, and simply falling in love with Sun Valley.  

Last sign of summer in Sun Valley?

Trooper hanging in Ketchum

River Run base of Bald Mountain (can you say 3,000 foot vertical?)

Attempting to ride to the top of Bald Mountain (didn't make it... I'll blame altitude)

One of the nicest ski lodges I've seen.. can't wait for Apres Ski!

View of the Sawtooth Mountains

End of a great hike to Titus Lake (Galena Summit)

One day perhaps he'll actually learn to swim

Redfish Lake near Stanley, ID

Beautiful clear water sitting at 6,500'

Salmon River in Stanley

Signs of Fall mixed with evergreens and beautiful blue skies

Did I mention the blue skies?  Guess I know why it's called Sun Valley!

Not only is this place a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast, but the locals are genuinely and completely interested in how they can welcome and help you.  Sun Valley, NICELY DONE!