Glen Canyon may be your fall "stopover" ticket

As winter moves, so do the snowbirds. The cold, Arctic blasts seems to send a precursor signal to those RVers in the north, and they begin their annual migration toward the south before the snow flies. Many turn their GPS pointers to Arizona, where the winter sun keeps frosts at bay.

If a southern route is in your plan, a 'drop in along the way' to the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area may be just the ticket for some new eye-openers. Glen Canyon encompasses thousands of desert acres (1,254,429 to be precise), but don't imagine for a moment that all those acres are vast tracts of sparsely vegetated soil. The Colorado River flows through the canyon in wet abundance, making this a popular destination for boaters, fisherfolks, and others who love the lap of water. The backup of river water has created Lake Powell, a huge recreational oasis. Think classy houseboats and water skiing.

But Glen Canyon's popularity peaks in summer; as winter rolls around the crowds depart. This could be attributed to the high desert nature of the area--it does tend to get cold. Come December and January, the freeze point will often be seen. But November--ah November. Warm days (60s and 70s not uncommon) and cool, crisp nights can be just the right amount of cold for the snowbird--a reminder of what they're leaving behind without the associated pain of the snow shovel or heating bill.

Where's to stay in Glen Canyon? If you like up-ticked, complete with restaurants, boat rentals, and 50 amp electric service, the Park Service has farmed out several popular campgrounds to the auspices of commercial vendors. You can find out more about these at the Lake Powell Resorts and Marinas web site. Golfers will find the Glen Canyon Country Club near Page, Arizona may suit them to a tee (time).

For RVers with a liking that shifts more to quiet and boondocking, then Lee's Ferry Campground, operated by the Park Service is the place we call home on our southern sojourn. Up on a bluff overlooking the Colorado, the campground offers no electrical hookups, but is one of the most beautiful stretches of the river in the area. Not far upriver from the campground is a put-in spot for folks doing float trips down the river and on into the Grand Canyon. If you're into fishing, there's plenty of action within walking distance of the campground.

You'll find a lot more on this huge recreational draw on the Park Service website dedicated to Glen Canyon. But don't wait too long--winter will definitely arrive, and snowbird may find the cold then way too much like home.