June 12, 2026 (Fri.) - A Day of Chores and Rest.
After yesterday’s long day on the bike, we intentionally kept today’s schedule light. Lynn woke early at 06:30 with neck pain, likely from all the picture‑taking while riding on the back of the bike. She headed out for her usual morning walk around 08:15 to get ahead of the heat. Kirk got up around 09:00 and made breakfast in the RV.
Around that time, Lynn learned that her mom needed some dental issues addressed. Because her mom is in memory care, the morning was spent figuring out how to get her the help she needed. After several calls and messages, she discovered that mobile dentists exist—professionals who specialize in elderly and memory‑care patients and come directly to the home or facility. It was reassuring to learn that this service has been around for decades and is well‑suited for situations like hers. With that arranged, Lynn returned to working on blog posts.
Meanwhile, Kirk settled into a well‑earned stretch of relaxation and a nap that seemed to recharge him. Then, at 3 p.m.—the absolute hottest part of the day, in true Kirk fashion—he decided it was the perfect moment to tackle an outdoor project. He’d recently installed a new rear‑view camera on the RV, which overlapped a few of our stickers, and wanted to paint the area so everything looked clean and intentional. But with the temperature hovering at 89°, the paint immediately began to run, making it obvious the weather wasn’t on his side. The project was postponed for a cooler day.
The rest of the afternoon and evening passed quietly with chores, blogging, and sitting in the shade. We also watched the steady stream of tent campers arriving—some confident, some clearly new to the whole process, and a few who gratefully accepted help from nearby campers who knew their way around tent poles and rain flies.
At 8:30 p.m., we went for a walk and enjoyed seeing the campground filled with new arrivals in tents, cabins, and RVs. It was a busy weekend, largely due to the Vernal Rock Rally. Not many pics today.
Weather – High 89*, Low 49*. Winds 2-3 mph. No rain, no humidity.
Traffic – None. Didn’t go anywhere.
Food – Nothing to report. Ate in the RV all day.
Notable – Nothing to report.
Screen time – Dutton Ranch, High Ground, Black Donnelley’s.
June 13, 2026 (Sat.) - Scenic Drive to Harper's Corner.
Today’s plan was to try Abby’s Cafe, recommended by people at the campground. We wanted to compare it to Betty’s Cafe, since both had been praised as must‑try breakfast spots. After that, we planned to drive Harper’s Corner, the 31‑mile scenic road in the Colorado section of Dinosaur National Monument.
Lynn was up early at 5:30 and did her usual walk around 8:00, though it didn’t last long—the heat and the repetitive KOA loops made it hard to stay motivated. Kirk rolled out around 9:00, and by 9:30 we were on our way to Abby’s for breakfast. We ordered the exact same meals we’d had at Betty’s so we could compare fairly: Lynn’s country fried steak with eggs and potatoes, and Kirk’s pancakes, bacon, and eggs. And of course, we had to try the cinnamon roll.
Abby’s was good, but Betty’s Cafe was the clear winner—better cinnamon roll, better country fried steak, and better potatoes. Both places had great service, though the staff at Abby’s were especially friendly and offered some helpful sightseeing tips.
At 11 a.m., we set out for Harper’s Corner in Dinosaur National Monument on the Colorado side, ready for a day of wide‑open views and winding roads. The drive from Vernal to Dinosaur, CO, takes about an hour, and the scenic route itself adds another. With overlook stops, photo breaks, and a few unexpected detours, the outing stretched into a relaxed four‑hour adventure.
The start of the road trip was unusual. The GPS sent us on a completely different route than the highway we’d taken before—this one full of dirt roads. Unexpected, but entertaining, because it led us past a house covered in aluminum sculptures: aliens, bears, Bigfoot, and other strange creations. Naturally, we stopped for photos. You don’t just drive past a metallic alien farm without documenting it.
Once back on track, the drive into Colorado unfolded in various layers of rocks, textures and colors. A stretch of road was also covered with hundreds of dead bugs. Of course, Kirk had to stop and inspect the carnage and see what kind of bugs they were (Google identified them as Mormon crickets).
We paused at Split Mountain, where the river cuts dramatically through the rock — a beautiful spot to stretch our legs. While Kirk was taking a bathroom break, he felt something on his neck. Assuming it was sweat, he brushed at it… only to discover a cicada crawling on him. Startling, yes, but harmless.
Not long after, Lynn had her own unexpected encounter. She felt something brushing her neck and assumed it was just her hair — until it moved. From one side of her neck to the other. She grabbed it gently (to avoid smushing it and having a big mess) and tossed it onto the truck floor, revealing a giant fly! Mildly alarming, but harmless… unless you count the emotional damage. At least it wasn’t a spider, that would’ve required emergency emotional support. Apparently, the bugs of Colorado had decided we were their afternoon rideshare.
Once the hitchhiking insects were dealt with, we continued the scenic drive and took an impressive number of rock photos. Reviewing them later, they all look nearly identical — a reminder that some landscapes simply refuse to be captured properly. As we always say, pictures don’t do it justice. The real magic is in being there.
By the time we got back to Vernal around 4 p.m., we were starving. We stopped at Vernal Brewing Company, another campground recommendation. The cold beer hit the spot, and the coconut shrimp appetizer was excellent. The rest of the meal was just okay—Kirk had steak and Lynn had pulled pork tacos.
We were back at the campground by 5 p.m. and spent the rest of the evening relaxing outside, watching the campground fill with tent campers and Jeeps. The day wrapped up with an amazing pink and yellow sunset.
Weather – High 89*, Low 56*. Wind 4-13 mph with 22 mph gusts. No rain, no humidity.
Traffic – None.
Food – Abby’s Cafe, Vernal Brewing Company. Both good.
Notable – Harper’s Corner Scenic Drive. Alien sculptures. Sunset.
Photos : Drive to Harper's Corner
Photos : Food, Campground
Breakfast at Abby’s Cafe in Vernal. Dinner at Vernal Brewing Company.
