OCT 25, Monday, Canyon Land National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park
The day began greyish but eventually cleared and we had sunshine in the afternoon. Today, we went to Canyon Land National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park. It was a 35 miles drive to the entrance of the National Park. We drove along the Moab fault past Arches National Park then turned on 313 Highway. We managed to find a couple of Geo-Caches along the way. On 313, we climbed to over 5000 feet via a couple switchbacks then drove on this flat area for quite a while with not much to see except field of shrubs and grass. According to history, this area was used as cattle feeding range back in the 1800’s. This area is called “Island in the sky” as it is just one big Mesa with canyons on four sides but very wide at the beginning, narrowing down at the end. We had the Green River on the right, the Colorado on the left and they joined at the end of the drive on Island of the Sky. We entered the park and almost immediately the scenery changed and we began seeing canyons after canyons. Our first stop was Shafer Canyon which absolutely incredibly beautiful. Then we went on Upheaval Dome which they think was caused by a big meteor. We had a hike here and even found a track of either a bear or a cougar, not sure but I took a picture of it and maybe someone can let me know. Anyway, we drove back to the main road and our next stop was the Mesa Rock, an Arch giving an overlook of the canyon. There are hundreds of magazines and travel book showing this Mesa and I always wanted to see it...my wish has been granted. (SEE PICTURES IN FOLDER # 63, Canyon Land).
Then it was on to Green River overlook, Buck Canyon overlook and finally the Grand View Point overlook. This is where we see the Green and Colorado Rivers meet in the distance and where the Mesa ends. We were over 6000 feet at his point. What a trip and what sights. I recommend this to anyone.
We drove back out of the National Park and turned to go to Dead Horse State Park. We got there at 5 pm so the office was closed which meant that we didn’t have to pay the $10 fee to get in. We drove to the Point @ 5700 feet and walked around the area taking a few pictures and looking at the Horseshoe formed by the Colorado, one of the most photograph sites in North America, according to the literature.
We drove back home to relax and review our day. The sceneries we are looking at are just mind boggling in its vastness and beauty. This is one incredible place and there is more to see.
OCT 26, Tuesday, LaSalle Mountain loop drive
I have been doing a lot of burping in the last week and my stomach and chest are causing me pain so we went to a doctor today and made an appointment for tomorrow. From there, we took the LaSalle Mountain Loop drive which we were told was quite spectacular and it was!
We found snow at the 7400 foot level and climbed to 8200 feet from there but the road was dry except for a couple spot. What was amazing is finding ranches and houses up there and what a view (check out the pictures, folder #64). The road down was steep with lots of switchbacks but we made it safely. (Otherwise I wouldn’t be writing this now, would I? KEVIN, if you are reading this, you would LOVE these roads) And of course, we found a few geo-caches along the way. One of the thing about doing this, is it gets us moving around in the country side and up and down hill side and one of the benefits is the views one can get at times as you will see in the pictures. We joined back with Hwy 128, the highway we drove on the first day, and found a few more caches. As we drove alongside the “Mighty Colorado” we saw a kayaker coming down the river; he even had his dog with him!
In town, we stopped at a Brewery/pub and had a drink and nachos. It was a neat place and very popular as the place was packed but we did find a seat. Drinks were $2.00 a pint and a jug was $10. Can’t beat that! The nacho was so big that it became our dinner as we were both full.
Another wonderful day! Sunny and getting warmer.
OCT 27, Wednesday, Moab
The sun is shining and it is warming up. I went for my doctor’s appointment at noon and after a quick check-up, gave me some remedies which will hopefully help. We went geo-caching around town afterwards and walked downtown and window shop. Val bought a book and we went into a doggie store and got a treat for Tucker. He likes those stores; he wants to play with everything, quite funny.
We came home and read for a while, I washed the rig then it was dinner time. Watched “Survivors” in the evening!
OCT 28, Thursday, Canyon Lands, south end
This is our last day here. It froze overnight but it is warming up nicely now that the sun is out. I heard on the news today that kids are NOT allowed to celebrate Halloween on Sunday and must do it on Saturday in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a few other places due to religious beliefs. So much for freedom!!???
We took Hwy 191 south then 211 West to South Canyon Land and once again we were not disappointed. This time, instead of looking at the canyons from the top, we looked at them from the bottom. We first stopped at a place called Newspaper Cliffs, where we saw pictograph dating back a couple thousand years. We continued on to the Park and stopped at the Visitor Centre. We went to see the Road side Ruins where there was still an old storage for grains under a rock, dating back a few hundred years; then on to the “wooden Shoe rock” (see pictures) and from here, the Pothole Point. I think that once you look at the pictures, you will agree with me that this is one fantastic country side!
We drove back home, had dinner and relax. Tomorrow, we move to Cortez, Colorado to see Mesa Verde National Park.
I have uploaded all the pictures of this part of the trip. Check out folder # 63, 64, 65
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