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Shake down cruise - Escalante Utah

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Forum Name: Camping Adventures
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URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7160
Printed Date: 06 May 2025 at 3:29am
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Topic: Shake down cruise - Escalante Utah
Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Subject: Shake down cruise - Escalante Utah
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 9:41pm

We just got back from a couple of nights out in the new 180.  We camped at Escalante Petrified Forest State Park in Escalante Utah.  The campground is fantastic!  Nice big trees, clean restrooms and a small reservoir.  The reservoir was pretty low because of the drought but there were still lots of ducks and other waterfowl.  We woke up the second morning and there were deer wandering down through the campground.  I saw a bald eagle and we also heard the coyotes howling at night.  The campground was full but very quiet.  If you are going to stay there, I would suggest a reservation as it is not a huge place.

There is lots to do and see in the area.  Bryce Canyon and Kodachrome basin are not far and you are right in the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.  We took a highly recommended hike to Lower Calf Canyon Falls.  It is a six mile round trip hike but it is not really difficult.  A few spots I needed to help my wife up and down some small rock areas but it is very do able.  The hike itself is pretty spectacular.  We saw and heard lots of different birds.  We saw fish in the creek, a beaver at the beaver ponds and my wife scared the h*** out of one small snake on the trail.  The canyon walls are amazing and the vegetation thick.  The big payoff is the falls and pool at the end of the hike (actually middle you have to hike back out).

Now to the Rpod.  It was pure pleasure to have such a nice home away from home!  Everything performed flawlessly and we were very, very comfortable.  The heater did not keep us awake (we are pretty heavy sleepers) the refrigerator kept everything perfectly cold (my beer especially).  Having the large bathroom (which is why we actually bought this model) was really nice.  

Things I loved:  The big window at the dinette, the slide out makes lots of room and everything worked. I really like the digital antenna. We picked up 26 channels of over the air digital at the campground.

Things I wish were a little bit different: I would like the TV to swivel down a bit and the person sitting with their back to it in the dinette can't watch.  I looked around to see where a better place to mount it would be and I think it is actually in the best place that it can be.  Watching while laying in bed is great except for it needs to be tilted down a hair for best viewing.





     

If you took the time to read this, Thanks!  We had a great time.

Rod and Lani
 


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2016 180 HRE
2014 Tacoma
Taylor 210 CSE
Bose L1 Model II
2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic



Replies:
Posted By: Commander203
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 10:31pm
Beautiful and looks peaceful!!

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Mike & Erin
2013 Tundra 4.6L V8 (Tow PK)
2006 Honda Goldwing GL 1800
2005 Honda VTX 1800N


Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:10pm
Thanks for the reminder. Smile
In 2011 we spent a week at a KOA Kabin in Cannonville Utah.
Nice Campground and it was a great trip. It kinda lead to the Pod two years later.
We didn't hike around Escalante but did some hiking in Kodachrome Basin State Park and Bryce Canyon.

This year we passed through Zion, Cedar Breaks, Grand Canyon etc. Had to leave the Pod home as we had a wedding in Vegas in the middle of our two week vacation (4800 miles).
I want to go back out to our 2011 destinations where you were with the Pod and little bigger engine.
 


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Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod
(and Brewer too)
2011 RP 177


Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:14pm
We got to the waterfall just as a couple was leaving.  We had the whole thing to ourselves while we ate our lunch.  It was awesome!

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2016 180 HRE
2014 Tacoma
Taylor 210 CSE
Bose L1 Model II
2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic


Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:19pm
SNO4ME....Glad you enjoy Utah.  There are so many places to see that you can keep coming back forever and still have places to explore!  We love living here!

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2016 180 HRE
2014 Tacoma
Taylor 210 CSE
Bose L1 Model II
2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic


Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:28pm
That was the first time we spent a whole week in one place. We were worried we were going to get bored being in one place that long.  Ha, we never made it the 115 miles to Zion on that trip.  Way too much stuff to do around there.  I liked that trip better than this year. Vegas put a damper on things. We don't regret going to Vegas, (Wedding was nice) but we've been there, done that.
We will be back!

How is it out there in May?
Better or nearly as good as early Sept?


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Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod
(and Brewer too)
2011 RP 177


Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:33pm
Does this picture resemble your first picture?  R-Pod owners must think alike.  Smile




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Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:36pm
May is still good, not too hot yet and usually not too crowded yet.



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2016 180 HRE
2014 Tacoma
Taylor 210 CSE
Bose L1 Model II
2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic


Posted By: Rockin the Pod
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:38pm
Yup! rpod owners must think alike!  Thanks for posting the picture, that is great!

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2016 180 HRE
2014 Tacoma
Taylor 210 CSE
Bose L1 Model II
2008 Harley Davidson Electra Glide Classic


Posted By: SNO4ME
Date Posted: 29 Oct 2015 at 11:45pm
Originally posted by Rockin the Pod

May is still good, not too hot yet and usually not too crowded yet.



That's what I'm looking for.   Smile


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Bruce & Donna in the Sno Pod
(and Brewer too)
2011 RP 177


Posted By: Danny2
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 9:13pm
Great post 

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John 3:16


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 9:36pm
We seem to get in a habit of more is better when it comes to seeing a lot of different areas w/o really exploring what each has to offer.  When our kids were younger we would go on a 2 week bonanza of trying to see the whole west. Ha, we did that several times and barely scratched the surface.  Now since it is back to 2 of us we pick one place as our destination and stay there for at least 1 week minimum.  The last 3 out of 4 years we have only been to Glacier and Rocky Mtn. National Park (2x).  Plan on going back again to RMNP again either next year or for certain, Lord willing, 2017.
Great pictures, kind of neat 2 of you had the same shot - photoshop?  just kidding.


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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 2:45pm
jato, we are in the same boat. Multiple 4-week whirlwinds with the kids, although at least we've divided it up into 4 sections/years. The plan for retirement is the longer stays like you describe.

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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual


Posted By: jato
Date Posted: 30 Dec 2015 at 5:15pm
Hopefully, we will be able to do more than 2 week stints once I retire.  Still plan on working another 3 years and then will be able to spend more time exploring and traveling.  Being a golf course superintendent doesn't allow oneself to camp/travel during the nice months of May thru August.

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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."


Posted By: Countrygent
Date Posted: 16 Jan 2016 at 4:23pm
We have stayed at Escalante and liked it a lot for many of the same reasons - great hiking especially.  And the drive from Capitol Reef on State Highway 12 right through to Bryce Canyon is fantastic - especially the portion they call the "Devil's Backbone".  Scenery galore.



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Geoff & Tricia & Phoebe the Retriever
2012 177 HRE
Toyota Tacoma 6cyl
Little Bigpod



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