Capitol Reef area

Another brief rain blanketed us that morning. The clouds teased us with possible departure, but then finally followed through more drops. Rex painted in between rain spurts while I made a breakfast of peanut-coconut butter and grape jelly toast with iced coffee.

Rain for the Day

After packing up camp under rainy morning skies, we pointed the truck toward the town of Torry for our next camp spot—-Days Inn. We made reservations a few days ago, randomly picking a day during the week. It was the perfect day for it too. The skies were dark and cloudy all day with internment rains. I giggled at our luck, happy to have missed sitting in the stuffy humid truck or tent while waiting out a storm that really never goes away.

Days Inn Camp

We had a few hours to play before check-in. We opted for breakfast at a local inn and restaurant. Service was non-existent, but the food edible. Our waitress was MIA most of the two hours we leisurely nibbled our decent fare. It worked out perfectly for us. We took our time eating, paying, and waiting. And everyone was happy.

After driving around Torry in search of Uncle Glade’s old house, Rex and I slowly made our way to our camp spot, checked in early, and stormed the bathroom facilities like ants on a bit of crumbled Triscuit. I was all over that hot water and two bars of soap. The room was clean with all the average perks: lotion and conditioner, fridge and microwave, and a guest clothes washing machine and dryer. But when I crossed the Days Inn threshold, I felt like I entered a ten star hotel.

Happiness is a hot shower

After my shower, I sat on my own queen bed with my internet connected iPad, ice-cold beer, and a bag of microwave popcorn—I was in hog heaven. I hate to admit it, but there was a part of me that thought, I’ll just stay here a few more days…

My bed was made with clean sheets, and I didn’t have to climb a ladder to get into it. The toilet was just on the other side of the room, and I didn’t have to dig have a hole for it. A taco food truck and sandwich shop were within walking distance from the hotel, and I didn’t have to light the stove or do dishes.

Happiness is a choice

But the view of the parking lot with construction wasn’t the deep swells and towering buttes that sing of times long ago. The bed with its four pillows was comfortable but my neck and back begin to ache after the sedentary slouching position, unlike the comfort of my camp chair with tub #2 as a footrest—almost like stepping into a hot bath. The The 100-plus premium cable channels became boring after a few hours, and had nothing compared to the changing night sky; watching the moon rise and the bats swoop and glide above, feasting.