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for the flowers and left me a message.
Today, I drove Monticello to Moab, Utah. My main destination today was Canyonlands National Park. The
entrance road to Canyonlands is 34 miles off of Rt. 191, along Rt. 211. After a couple of miles on 211 the
scenery, geography changes dramatically from green pastures to huge rock formations of nearly every type. These
cliffs, crevices, arches, spires, and gorges with alternating stratus of beige and red clay were formed over millions
of years. Initially, oceans covered this region, then the Rocky Mountains surged up and broke the surface of the
water. The ocean first deposited a layer of salt then one of limestone. When the ocean receded, altering layers of
red clay eroding from the Rockies and sand blowing in from the west formed a multi-layer plateau. As the rivers,
wind, rain and snow eroded these lands, with the aid of the unstable layer of salt underneath, over millions of years
these unusual rock formations and gorges were formed. Once in the park proper, I drove in as far as I could
where I got out and walked a quarter mile or so to “Big Spring Canyon Overlook” (photos). Here is a very
scenic spot overlooking a gorge with the multi-layers of strata and unusual rock formations on either side. I met a
young woman traveling the U.S., focusing on the national parks of the south-west. She and her friend were from
Germany. She was friendly. I then drove to “Pothole Point” and walked the half mile loop. From here you have
a view of the famous “Needles” formation in the distance. The “Needles” look like sentinels of varying heights
lined up in a single line, shoulder to shoulder. At this site are also multitudes of potholes, small to medium size,
indentations in the hard rock under my feet. When it rains, small dormant creatures come to life (like tadpoles)
and provide food for the desert animals. These creatures mate and have their off-spring in the short time they have
before the waters dry up again. My next stop was “Squaw Flat.” I walked into this unique rock formation for
about a quarter mile. It was very nice there with large rock formations all around. Driving in the park, I noticed
many campers enjoying their stay in one of the most beautiful natural settings in the U.S. – lucky them.
I arrived in the town of Moab and got a room near the center of town, in another Best Western – reasonable
price and I know what I’m getting. I had dinner sitting outside at Zax Restaurant and Bar. After dinner, I shot a
couple of rounds of pool in their bar area. I did ok considering I haven’t played much lately. It helped to imagine
the ball going in the hole and focusing – not thinking of anything else.
Monday, May 10: I rented a mountain bike and drove it to the head of the famous “Slick Rocks” trail. This
was the most difficult mountain bike ride I had ever attempted, except for maybe my ride to the top and back
down of Bear Mountain in northern Colorado. There were a number of factors which made it so difficult for me,
including: being in below average biking shape (hadn’t had many opportunities to ride lately, technically my skills
were still pretty good), the terrain – many ascents and descents and a high percentage very steep, it was hot – 85-
90 degrees, the air was very dry and thin (I’m not use to), and there was this continuous strong wind – would hit
you head on when trying to peddle up a steep hill. I endured this for about 6 miles of this 12 and a half mile
course. On the ride there was nothing manmade to be seen, except for the painted dashed line to follow and the
occasional other bike going by. It is a desert filled with hills of rocks and boulders with the occasional sand trap.
Even though, I didn’t finish the entire course, I’m glad for the experience. I learned that sometimes it’s better to
disregard the male tendency of pride and ego. Otherwise, I would have tried to do the entire course and
something bad probably would have happened. At the very least, I would not have enjoyed the additional portion
of the ride and the fact that I wouldn’t have been able to walk the next day. On the (car) ride back to town, I
bought a ton of liquid refreshments and over indulged. But, it felt sooo good. Once back at my hotel, I took a
much needed long bath. I had dinner at Pasta Jay’s. The Chicken Cacciatore was very good. One of the
owner's ancestors had supposedly been the cook for the royal family of Italy many years before. These recipes
were handed down one generation to the next and this is what I was eating – cool.
Tuesday, May 11: Much needed day of R&R
Wednesday, May 12: V.G. breakfast in Moab, pecan waffles. Just north of town is the entrance to Arches
National Park. Arches “boasts the greatest density of natural arches in the world” (> 2,000 cataloged). I parked
at Devil’s Garden Trailhead and walked to Landscape Arch. This is one of the largest arches in the world. I
walked over to Sand Dune Arch next. True to its name, I had to walk through about 100 feet of red clay sand to
get to the arch. Fiery Furnace Viewpoint was exceptionally beautiful with its brightly lit, multi-colored rock
formations on one side and snow capped mountains in the distance on the other. Double Arch was pretty cool.
The two arches form the legs of a triangle when looking up from underneath. I lied down on a flat rock beneath
them and enjoyed the fantastic view and the solitude – very peaceful. The North and South Windows from a
distance look like a pair of eyes staring at you – eerie. Arches is relatively compact, yet unusual and very
beautiful.
From here, I drove through the town of Green River on my way to Capital Reef National Park. I drove
through this lesser known, but very scenic park at sunset. I spent the night at a Best Western on the edge of the
park in a town called Torrey.
Thursday, May 13: I drove Rt. 12, a national scenic highway to Bryce Canyon National Park. Bryce is one of
the best known national parks and for good reason. Bryce’s unusual geological features are its Hoodoos, “Pillars
of rock, usually a fantastic shape, left by erosion.” The Paiute Indians who used to live in this region believed that
the hoodoos were “Legend People’ whom Coyote had turned to stone.” I walked the Bristlecone Loop Trail
from Rainbow Point. This mile long walk was very pleasant – fresh mountain air, a spruce fir tree forest and
wonderful panoramic views. I stopped at many of the look-outs along the way. But, the most incredible views,
the ones for which Bryce is known were found surrounding Bryce Amphitheater. Such view points as Bryce
Point, Inspiration Point, and Sunset Point were the most spectacular, especially at sunset, when I was there, with
all the reds and light beiges and contrasting shadows, all very distinct (photo). Bryce was wonderful. Onwards.
I drove towards Zion National Park until nightfall around 8:15pm. I ended up in a town called Mt. Carmel
Junction about 26 miles from Zion. Of course, I stayed at a Best Western – where else? (can drive up to my
room, this is very convenient with all my bags)
Friday, May 14: I drove from Mt. Carmel Junction, UT to Kanab, AZ today. My main destination was Zion
National Park. Zion was the most scenic driving of any of the parks that I had been to thus far. On either side of
the road cliffs, mountains and various geological formations would rise up. At the Checkerboard Mesa, horizontal
and vertical cracks on the side of a limestone mountain form this unmistakable checkerboard pattern. At the
Visitor Center you catch the Zion Canyon Shuttle to see the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive – no private autos
allowed. The drive goes along the North Fork Virgin River and is very beautiful as well. The shuttle has many
stops where you can get out and go for a hike. I got off at the Zion Lodge stop and walked the Emerald Pool
Trail to the lower, middle and upper pools. The hike was of moderate difficulty and took a couple of hours. The
lower and upper pools had thin waterfalls dropping mountain water into them. After this little work-out, I took the
shuttle to the furthest stop at Temple of Sinawava, where I went to the Riverside Walk to sit by the river for a
minute and enjoy the view. Shuttle back to my car, then I drove west on Rt. 9 to the town of Hurricane, then
south on Rt. 51 towards the Grand Canyon.