When you live way out in a remote location, like we do, going grocery shopping is an all day affair. Yesterday we decided to go to Hurricane, Utah. We decided to go there because 1) they have a Wal-Mart there and it is a prettier city than Page, Arizona, our other option. 2) Because the grocery store there has fresh mozzarella. There is no fresh mozzarella to be found in either grocery store in Kanab, which is only 85 miles away. So, Hurricane it was. 3) Because there is a Chinese restaurant in Hurricane that is pretty good. And 4) because it is only another 12 miles or so to get to Washington City, Utah, where there is a Best Buy. So, we hopped in the truck around 9:00 a.m. to go the 128 miles to buy groceries. Because fresh mozzarella is one of my favorite things in the world.
To get to Hurricane, we have to drive down the Kaibab Plateau, which is aglow with fall colors right now. Blazing, even:
After we leave the Kaibab Plateau, we drive along Hwy 89A north to Fredonia, Arizona. Just before we descend into the desert, we get a great view of the Vermilion Cliffs off in the distance. The desert is so green this year because the monsoon rains were abundant.
Once we’re down off the plateau, we drive across desert for miles and miles. And miles. The desert is beautiful in its own way, from the scrub trees, wildflowers and many rock formations.
And then we come to the town of Hurricane, Utah. They pronounce it “Hur-i-cun”, where I say “Hur-ah-cane”. We come down off yet another plateau, into town.
Once we got into town, we went to eat at the Chinese restaurant for lunch. After lunch we did all our errands, and even went to Washington City to go to Best Buy. Girls and guys, if you lived in the wilderness like we do, you would know this was a much needed jaunt. Just seeing towns and people and cars and stores–well, it was just fantastic! On the way home, we headed back the way we came, but seeing the scenery from the other direction is all new:
We decided to stop in Fredonia to eat dinner at Cowboy Butte Restaurant. It is the only restaurant in Fredonia, and they have the best steak in Northern Arizona.
After dinner, we headed home, and were treated to a beautiful sunset over the desert:
Linda says
September 27, 2012 at 12:26 amMy Seester,
Thanks for sharing your pics and telling your story today, well yesterday now…here in Georgia.
I was able to see some of that beautiful desert last month when we flew to Vegas on business…i was just awe struck even from thousands of feet up in the air at how beautiful it is there. thanks again 🙂 <3
Elizabeth says
September 27, 2012 at 1:11 amEnjoyed seeing your photos and hearing of your day!! Sounds like a fun one!!
Janice says
September 27, 2012 at 12:09 pmYour post reminded me of how unsure I was about groceries when we first started out. Knowing we would be working in Yellowstone for five months, and knowing the closest shopping was two hours away (you can’t afford to shop in a tourist town) I just wasn’t sure how to go about stocking up.
I remember you sent me your stocking up list. . .so helpful. Now that we’ve been traveling three years, I pretty much have it figured out. . .but you were such a lifesaver back then. . .thanks again.
and yes. . .we certainly understand the need for civilization ever so often!
Great pics,
Janice
ReadyToGoFullTimeRVing.blogspot.com
Alison says
September 30, 2012 at 11:37 amWhat gorgeous photos! And I think Best Buy and Fresh Mozz is a good reason to select where you went!! 🙂
Sandy Cain says
April 24, 2014 at 10:22 amWow, thanks for these pictures! I have only ever been to St. George, in Utah, but what I saw of it was just beautiful. The desert/western states can be so lovely! (and though I have no trouble finding fresh Mozzarella here (love that Caprese salad!), there is NO Walmart in my city, and I don’t have a car. Gee!