Moab

 

We decided to go on a three day trip to somewhere easily reached in a day. Moab was the choice. Our first time visiting this area which is famous for its incredible desert landscape with ancient canyons and scenic gorges. 80 mile an hour speed limits and signs to watch out for eagles in the road made it obvious we were already in a different place just after we crossed the state line.

I worked the camera hard. It was a tough project to narrow down the photos and I don't think I did the area justice. It is an amazing area and we will be back for sure.

Scenic highway 128 - truly amazing scenery and we hadn't even gotten to Moab. This is the mighty Colorado River. 

Arches - world famous national park. Right now you have to schedule a timed reservation to get in. We were fairly lucky in not as massive a crowd as it apparently usually is.  It was 97 degrees that day but we persevered anyway. Many stops and a lot of short strenuous hikes to see the many viewpoints. Arches galore, stunning vistas, and even petroglyphs.

Canyonlands the second day. It is enormous -almost 338,000 acres. We went to the Island in the Sky, just one of four areas, which alone took up the day. Marvelous extensive vistas but while the temperature dropped to a reasonable one, unfortunately that day California wildfire smoke had snug in. Still beautiful anyway.

We loved our visit and will go back, possibly in our jeep to do some of those wild roads. Stayed at a very fun retro hotel (Gonzo Inn) , ate a marvelous gourmet meal at Desert Bistro and had excellent Thai food the next night. Did a little shopping and then back home we went. Big success.