Wednesday, October 15, 2014

2014 Utah-Red Cliff's Inn





The Colorado River from our cabin.


View from the restaurant.


This area was the scene of many Hollywood films and a museum is located within the lodge depicting the history of the film industry.





Horseback riding is available for those interested.

Location:14 miles outside Moab

2014 Utah-Canyonlands





Check out Hell's Revenge, Moab under YouTube for video's of this famous
area for off-road vehicles, motorcycles & bikes.


This park is in the heart of the Colorado River and beginning of the Grand Canyon.


In the Utah National Parks, you're either looking up ie: Zion or looking down, way down, as in Canyonlands.


At 6,080', it is 1,400 feet to the first ledge before falling another 835' to the Colorado River.


This area is Wild America with very few roads in the 527 square miles of the park.

Location:Red Cliff's Inn

Sunday, October 12, 2014

2014 Utah





Dinosaur track


A rain squall came in just as our trip ended.








Vicki, Pam and our guide Ben who made this excursion a thrill we'll never forget.

Location:Hell's Revenge 3

2014 Utah
















- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Hell's Revenge 2

2014 Utah







60% grade


Our Kawasaki which is a superbly-engineered off road vehicle.





A Jeep maneuvering a rock field.

Location:Hell's Revenge Trail

2014 Utah





We decided today that we had enough hikes and instead, we would take a drive in the mountains, ten minutes outside of Moab. This is T-Rex 4x4 UTV.


Leaving parking lot and heading up Lion's Back on to the famous Hell's Revenge Trail.





View of the Moab Valley.


This three hour ride takes you up steep grades, down steep inclines and over narrow ridges that drop off hundreds of feet. Nothing like an adrenalin rush!

Location:Moab

Saturday, October 11, 2014

2014 Utah




We left the parking lot for Delicate Arch and passed the Wolf Family homestead.


This hike is considered a difficult trail with 480 ft of vertical climb and no shade until you reach the trail end.


You pass over sandstone rock in this steep section.


Prior to reaching the summit, you must climb up a narrow path with a steep cliff. No fun for those of us not fond of heights!


At the summit, it is amazing the number of young families.


Standing on the narrow path.


The destination was well worth the effort.


The Delicate Arch is the most well known arch and symbol for the park & the State of Utah.


Vicki was a Gamer Babe extraordinaire. Very proud of her climb in this high altitude, steep terrain.


View of the parking lot in the distance.

Location:Day 2 Arches National Park

2014 Utah




Balance Rock on the main road into the park.


A smaller version of this rock fell down in the past 5 years.






We have eaten here the first two night. Very nice Italian sauce.


There are over 2,000 arches in the park and Landscape Arch was on our hike into Devil's Garden. We hiked in 2 miles and decided to turn around when we
approached the section marked Difficult.


Our second hike was an easy half mile.





This pillar might have been an old arch that collapsed.


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Location:Arches National Park

Friday, October 10, 2014

Utah 2014





A Circular Kiva was a residence with the fireplace located in the center hole.
The pillars were used to support the roof.


Here is one of the towers at the Cliff Palace Ruins. Amazing brickwork on left center section.


It rained during most of our tour and was a little tricky leaving the site because the three sets of 10' + high ladders to exit were wet & slippery.


90% of the park's Juniper Forest has been destroyed by three fires started by lightning between 1998 to 2010. The remaining vegetation is in full autumn color.


A typical monument seen on our way to Moab, Utah where we're spending four nights.

Location:Mesa Verde