Leaving West Yellowstone heading south was fairly uneventful, overnighting in a campground in Ogden, Utah. The next day we made it to Moab, Utah, which, like West Yellowstone is a hub for activities in the area. Canyonlands and Arches National Parks are within easy driving range, but the area is also popular for jeep, ATV, motorbike, and mountain biking trails of varying levels of difficulty. Moab had shops, restaurants, ATV and bike rentals, and guide services for all of the above. Guess where the following photo was taken. Note the fake fireplace and big screen TV, with sofa and lounge chairs. It’s a McDonalds!!! Sorry, but I can’t resist some road shots. This part of the country has gorgeous mountain scenery which photos do not do justice. The small group of windmills is positioned in the mouth of a pass through the mountains which has a funnel effect. We found a campground on a hill just on the edge of Moab on Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land, but administered by the county. This was another great site. Great view with hardly anyone else around. The mountains in the distance are in Arches NP. Mary Lou climbed (walked up) the nearby mountain and took the photo of our camp. As we were enjoying the evening, this little guy came within 4 feet and checked us out. (I need to bone up on little ground critters as there are several different kinds we have seen). Evening sunset. Here are some tepees without the wrapper. I call them 'naked tepees'. Entering Canyonlands Park, we find the Monitor and Merrimack, named for the civil war ironclad warships. Note the railing in the 3rd picture. I think it took some artistic talent to lay them in an attractive manner. Here is one of the more popular sights in the park. Mesa Arch. Photographers hike up here in the dark to catch the sunrise through the arch, casting a red glow on the underside. We know one such fool (who shall remain anonymous), but he got a great photo. The arch from the side. Note the canyon wall through the lower opening. On the trail. Green River Valley. Out on the main highway near the road to the park entrance (30 miles from the highway) is a lonely gas station and RV park. I was impressed with the remote feeling. (gas was $4.09) We squeezed in a ride into nearby Arches National Park, making for a long, tiring day. Most of the arches required a considerable hike which in most cases we were not inclined to take, so we got photos where we could. Here is Double Arches (north and south windows). Balanced Rock. All kinds of vehicles on the road! Another famous and much photographed arch is ‘Delicate Arch’. The hike was too long, so we got the best shot we could. There is speculation that an arch may have existed here at one time. Hence the term ‘fallen arch’ (yuck, yuck). Mary Lou thinks that calls for arch supports? (groan). Parting shots. This report is already too long, so I will close it out, but be ready for tomorrow's adventure. Coming soon. Stay tuned.
4 Comments
Ruby
7/21/2013 03:43:54 am
Love, love, love the reports. Beautiful!!!
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Larry Pullen
7/21/2013 05:00:37 am
You meant "... one such OLD fool," didn't you? Your pics brought back wonderful memories, particularly of Mesa and Delicate Arches.
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Chuckt 2
7/21/2013 06:41:12 am
What a great trip y'all. A very long trip but Great! Keep me posted.
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Liz Jank
7/21/2013 07:27:06 am
We wondered what had happened to Fredericksburg's Balanced Rock.....now we know.
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