Utah- Arches, Bridges, Byrce, and Zion

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Saturday, we hopped on Rt. 70 in Colorado and headed west through Grand Junction. Stopping there for fuel, the station also offered showers. We contemplated but decided we could probably find one in Moab area. From 70, we went south on rt. 128. Going through Grand Junction area was the start of desert, and once we were on 128 it was very much desert, until you hit canyon. In between canyon along this road was the Colorado River. As you get closer to Moab there are many rafters and kayakers. It was pretty cool and looked fun.





It was about 2:00 when we arrived at junction Rt. 128 and 191. We decided to visit Arches National Park which was just a few miles up Rt. 191. It was hot. High 90's hot. You know, a lot of people out here say "Well, it's a dry heat", yea well to us, we decided, it's still hot. High 90's is on the lower end for this areas summer temperatures too.

After visiting the Arches visitors center and getting my "geek stamp" in my passport, we drove through. Here are some shots, we could only get from the viewpoints, seeing we weren't going to hike while the dogs waited in the truck.

The Organ.



Three Gossips and Sheep Rock.



Balanced Rock.



North and South Windows.


























The La Sal Mountains.



We desperately wanted to escape the heat for the night. In order to do that we needed to head up in elevation. We planned on heading to the Manti La Sal Nation Forest for the night, but first looked up any hostels in the area to shower. We found one south (on our way) on Rt. 191 called the Lazy Lizard. We got there, and this joint was straight up hippie, like a scene from a movie, all we wanted was to get clean. The water didn't even have to be warm! We had contemplated cleaning off in the Colorado River....so this was the better option. Paid the concierge $3.00 a piece, took our shower ticket and went on our way to get clean. The shower felt glorious. The only complaint we had was as soon as you were done, after you toweled off, you were dripping again. Not with water from your shower, but sweat from the heat. At least we got to shave and had clean hair I guess.

We hopped in the truck and headed south and came to the town of Monticello, where we turned onto the forest road that led us up into Manti La Sal. Found a nice spot, not too far in, that appeared to be where the farmers/cowboys used to turnout or collect their cattle. It worked great and was about 30 degrees cooler (low of 58 F for the night- perfect) than Moab. It amazes me that you only drive 30-60 minutes down the road and there's that much of a temperature difference. We definitely don't have that in Ohio. We grilled out some shish kabobs, enjoyed some red wine, and played frisbee.

















After packing up the next morning, we went into Monticello to the Peace Tree for breakfast. Pete in his usually social butterfly manner (I believe he's starting to crave other people's company) struck up conversation with a very nice lady whom ended up being a transplanted local. Two more transplanted locals arrived shortly after we sat down and all 5 of us sat together at a community table and shared stories of adventures, trails, parks, and just different places all over the US while sipping coffee. It was a lot of fun! Agter 3 hours, we all said our goodbyes and Pete and I headed south on 191. We were shooting for Dixie National Forest, outside of Bryce to stay for the night. Now with our late start, we would have to push a bit harder to get there.

Along the way we stopped at Natural Bridges National Monument.






















We then headed northwest on Rt. 95. After stopping in Hanksville for a burger and some malts, we continued on Rt. 24 west. During this drive, we went from desert to landscape that looked like we were on Mars all while bucking high winds from a nasty looking storm to the west. It was bizarre and very scenic!

I tried to take a few pictures of the landscape diversity on this trek. They didn't come out the best, but you can kind of get the picture.





















Chimney Rock



After driving that stretch, we went into the town of Torrey seeking some alcohol, more importantly, wine. Neither one of us keeps track of what day it is, it was a Sunday. No liquor sold on Sundays in this small town, so we just grabbed a 6 pack of a local IPA and headed into the forest.

As you drive into Torrey, you'll spot their Sheriff.



We ended up staying north of Boulder, in the Dixie National Forest.



Mandy with her bear cub stuffed toy. She's keeping guard for the real deal.



Behind our spot was a deer cemetery. Looks as though hunters come during season and quarter out their kill and leave the rest. There were deer carcass everywhere. Then there was the lone cow skeleton.









We awoke early then next morning and got on the road. Found a little gem called Hell's Backbone Grill near Boulder. Everything is fresh and organic. We sat outside at a European type table while the garden birds sat down the table.










The stretch of road on Rt. 12 Offered spectacular views. Up on a ridge at one point, then dropping into colorful rocks, them back up to take in the view from Head of the Rocks overlook.










After the town of Escalante, the grades got steep, up to 14% in some places.


We then arrived to Bryce Canyon National Park. Unfortunately ducking in and out of rain storms, so the pictures aren't that great, but we still enjoyed all of the views of the hoodoos.





































































We stayed in Dixie National Forest west of Bryce that night. We made up some quick grilled salmon then planted ourselves into the camper early for the night due to all of the storms.







We drove south on Rt. 89, which was and when we arrived to junction 9, leading into Zion National Park, we stopped for a breakfast at Thunderbird, which was one of the first establishments in the area back in the 1930's.




Pete liked the pie girl.



Driving along Rt. 9 towards Zion offered more fabulous views. Then we arrived. We really liked this park, part of it is only accessible by the park shuttle so we didn't get to see nearly enough! Knowing ahead of time that dogs aren't allowed on trails or in many parts of the park is ok with us. We don't love this, but have accepted it. We both agreed that we'd have to come back to visit this area again to see more, without the pups.














































On our way out of Utah, stopping for fuel, we saw this pull behind cart off of a motorcycle for this couples dogs. Traveling with our dogs constantly, we thought it was pretty clever.




Well, I know that was a lot of national parks to cram down, like I said before, we would love to see more of a couple of them again and spend more time. Maybe someday. We've just come from the north rim of the Grand Canyon, and I have a good post on that next!