Last days south for this trip

Well, we thought we were headed north back in mid March, only to be fooled.  But it looks like things are warming up in Alberta finally so it's about time we headed home for real.  First though we discovered that a spot opened up in the little campground at the Overton Wildlife Refuge so we thought we'd treat ourselves to a picnic table and trees for a few nights.  

Unfortunately we neglected to consider that the campsites were right across the road from the silica sand plant, and they start loading train cars at about 5 AM on weekdays.  

So we only stayed a couple of days, long enough to have a walk around a couple of the open areas (many areas were closed for turkey hunting).  

If you plan on boondocking around Overton, come with full water and empty sewage tanks.  There is NO local dump station, even the in-town RV park will turn you away unless you're a resident there.  The closest dump station is out at Valley of Fire, and be prepared to pay a park entry fee AND a dump station fee to use those facilities.  

Back out on the Mesa for a couple nights of peace and quiet before starting the trek home.  

Overton area

It's not always sunny in the desert... here's a storm rolling in over the mesa.

Close up of the rim.  Arrow points to us, if you didn't figure that out already.  

And after the storm.  

We took a day trip out to Valley of Fire State Park.

Back on the mesa, we took a walk and some pics of some of the interesting camping spots people have taken. 

Right in Overton is the Lost City Museum.  Honest, it's pretty interesting even though I didn't take a lot of pictures!

Uh oh.  Sandstorm coming down the valley... better batten the hatches.