9/11 We Met a Younger Version of Ourselves in Capital Reef.

While still trying to make it to Bryce Canyon NP we passed through Capital Reef NP. More humbling canyons and buttes. There we were, cruising along and way up ahead on the shoulder was a grey Westfalia, exactly like our other one. A note on the window said “gone to Torrey, fuel pump out” They left a phone number. We called and caught up with them a few miles down the road. Matt and Diane, really nice folks from Wichita were out exploring Utah, just like us. We gave them a lift back to their camper and worked on reviving the fuel pump; to no avail. We pushed the camper down the road to a reasonable place to camp. Matt said he could order the part in the morning and have it shipped to the little store up the road and they would continue to hike in this incredible area while waiting for it. We hated to leave them, but it appeared that looking for a fuel pump enroute was as useful as we could get at that point. We did leave them with beer, a few tools and best wishes.

We ended up at Bryce Canyon and stayed in a private campground for the showers, laundry and the all important internet access. We ate out for the first time in days at the all you can eat Western Style buffet. Between the tour busses of Europeans and eating way too much, I knew I was back in civilization Bryce Canyon style. Wifi and laundry from the parking lot, now that’s living.