The Dixie National Forest
It’s pretty big but it isn’t in Dixie, it’s in Utah about 30 miles from Cedar City. That’s north of Zion and about 180 miles on I-15 from Las Vegas, NV. We camped at Te-ah campground, off the Navajo Lake Road, one of many nice forest sites, $7.50 with the senior pass, no hookups.
Cedar City is home to the Utah Shakespeare Festival on the campus of Southern Utah University. They have it from June 29 to October 21. We had tickets to see “As You Like It.” The plan was to camp outside of the city and drive in for the performance. There are two commercial RV campgrounds off Main Street in Cedar City. Not certain what to expect there, being a midsummer night’s dreamer I reserved a campsite out in the Dixie National Forest, on line, in advance.
We got to Te-ah a couple days early. Well into the mountains the Navajo Lake area is isolated and pristine and in winter I don’t think they plow Route 14. It’s a scenic 30 mile drive from it down into town on some steep grades and hairpins. After de-hitch we stretched our bones, then went to Cedar City to check out the theater and parking. That’s when we decided that after the performance at 11 PM the long drive back to camp on RT 14 would not be a good idea. We reserved a night at one of the motels on Main Street.
Te-ah is surrounded by Aspens. You drive a newly paved road past four other campsites right upside idyllic, totally unspoiled Navajo Lake. Turns out reservations were unnecessary -- our campground was nearly empty but, amazingly, our nice neighbors were a couple who lived in New Jersey. We cooked steaks in the fire pit. It was hot the first night but my little $9dollar WalMart clip-on fan took care of that.
There’s just too much to see in this corner of Utah. Zion, Bryce Canyon, Kodachrome Basin, the Cedar Breaks, so little time. I took a short hike along a cliff face. A sudden rainfall had me turning back. Far in the distance was Zion. Seeing two handsome bucks really made my day.
The “Globe,” is a wonderful replica of the original Globe Theatre in London. Before the night’s performance, in the garden outside, a charming, elderly fellow who described himself as “a third rate actor” gave a delightful explanation-introduction to the play we were going to see. Following him was an extended, animated, musical performance by a troupe of very talented young troupers. By the way, we had great seats in “The Globe Theater,” and the actors, a mix of pros and some students, were fantastic. I liked Jack Lafferty, Touchstone, as the best. You really get your money’s worth.
No issues. Total towing miles, 1,252.
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Myron
"A billion here, a billion there...add it all up and before you know it you're talking real money." Everett Dirkson
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