Canyonlands.

Seems like its been ages since we were in Canyonlands and Arches. Here is a link to the story that came out today. Go to the story. We’ve reconnected with the European tourist caravan here in Grand Teton, and I’m sure they’ll be in full force in Yellowstone, too.

The arch.

Little German boys who sprinted all the way down the trail to the parking lot. I thought they were going to break their necks.

French lady in her hiking outfit.

Quoth the raven .. these tourists are killing me!

Ute petroglyphs at the bottom of the trail.

We are now at Colorado National Monument. We were going to take a back road here but decided to play it safe on the Interstate. Tomorrow we’re headed down toward Telluride.

Navajo arch. Cool hang-out type cave behind here.

The arches are amazing. There are so many and they are all so different. We hiked to about six of them yesterday and saw many more from the road. One photo that isn’t here is Delicate Arch, the best one. I’ll upload that later. There was a group of French Harley riders out there, and a woman with them had hiked the 500 foot elevation gain to the arch in pink cowboy boots and a skirt!

Landscape arch.

Little window at partition arch.

Pine Tree Arch.

Wall arch fell last year.

We are heading up to Arches today, and tomorrow back to Colorado.

In case we lose service after leaving here, a few of the Utah overlooks:

Wildflowers at Natural Bridges.

No, Santa Claus, we were not in Virginia. (Monticello)

Desert lichen.

Canyonlands from camping spot.

Moab mural.

Desert bloom.

Crazy canyon cut between Natural Bridges and Monticello.

Clouds.

I am not making this up.
Overheard in a popular local Moab restaurant.
Older man to another older man: “I was wondering if I could come by and talk to you about the LDS.” (Church of Latter Day Saints)
Second man: “I’m really more of the LSD type myself.” (laughs)
First man: “Well, then maybe we could talk about politics.”
Second man: “I don’t think so. You’re probably a conservative Republican. And I am a liberal Democrat.”

This is a funny town. They really, really want you to take a tour of something .. jeep places everywhere. It’s a bit of a bummer that the Interstate is also Main Street. We rode our bikes down there but it was a bit hazardous with all the semi trucks.

I feel like this is where all the bad Mormons come to live (alcohol, tattoos, caffeine seem to be readily available) but Erik says no, it’s just where the Californians and Colorodans end up.

Art near city hall.

Puma sculpture representing open land donated, ironically, by the developers of Puma Estates.

A local family has owned the local paper since 1911. Today's headline: school district has a half-million budget shortfall.

I don't know. I really don't know.

They have the nicest public library we've seen so far.

Forgive me while I post way too many photos from our visit to the Needles Overlook of Canyonlands National Park. I took a ton of pics, most of them were lousy, but some of them were OK. I keep telling Erik that he makes photographs and I take pictures.. his will be worthy of publication in a coffee table book!

We started the day in Devil’s Canyon and drove through Monticello en route to the overlook, which was recommended by my geologist friend Danielle. She has been through this area many times as part of SBCC geology trips (which are open to the public, should you have an interest) and recommended all the best spots.

Had to change the name of that evil Devil's Highway.

Church Rock.

Storm brewing on the way out.

Mama and baby white-tailed twins.

Cool yellow.

First view out the door at the overlook.

Sneaky hidden bench.

Off the edge.

It looks like intestines.

Adapting to life with the wind at your back.

Taken while lying on my back on a rock.

Into the abyss..

You really could sit there and look at it all day.

Last one.

Monday’s adventure. Here are a few photos to give you an idea about what this one-way, gravel, falling-off-the-side-of-the-mesa road is all about.

This road gets you there.

Going up..

And looking back down..

Somebody has to stop.

At the top!

Calves on the way to Muley Pt.

View west to Monument Valley from camping spot.

On Thursday, we will have been on the road for 3 weeks. We have driven over 1,200 miles and are in our 4th state, although we really only went through a tiny corner of Arizona to get here.

We’re headed for Moab, Castle Valley, Arches and Canyonlands.