A trip into the 'greater metropolis of Tuweep,' as the sign reads at the ranger's outpost, has been on the to-do list for a long while.
This is no easy task as it requires more than 60 miles of off-road driving before getting to the last and most exciting three miles of the journey. We attempted this drive last summer and were thwarted by the summer rains that turned the road to mush. The warnings from the National Park Service that the average visitor experiences "one or more flat tires" and a tow from the nearest service station can run up to $2000, were well heeded. Alas, the only thing we took away was about 50 pounds of clay dirt that glued itself to our car.
As the monsoon season is yet weeks away from rolling into the state, the road was distinctly different this year: dusty but passable. We knew we were 'out there' when we did not maintain cell service for the duration. THAT never happens, no matter how far afield we get!
Our little group of four doubled the population of the campground that night (not counting the two dogs that also took up residence out there for the evening).
We hope to visit this area again, perhaps when it's a little cooler. A LOT cooler.
And, no, we didn't lose a tire nor require a visit from Jake's Service Center in Fredonia.
