After completing the loop over the Rocky Mountains, we headed west (again) along I-70 to Grand Junction. We crashed in a hotel and were up and out the next morning for another long drive. First we headed south from Grand Junction and climbed along the Gunnison river as we drove into a high volcanic dome….
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After our respite (several fine meals, a nice bed, restock beer/wine/liquor, clothes washing, and hospitality), we headed north to the Rocky Mountain National Park. The photos below show differing views as we climb up the eastern side of the Rocky Mountains.
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After we finished our visit to Mesa Verde, it was time for a brief diversion to go see a friend at Colorado Springs. Of course, we took the scenic route through the Rocky mountains.
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Mesa Verde is the most famous of the ruins and other archaeological finds representing the ancient pueblan peoples of the south west US. The mesa top provided, for a time, a rich farmland and the people that lived here built large cliff dwellings. The dwellings were largely used for storage and a few Kivas for…
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We arrived at Natural Bridges in the late afternoon but we had time to take the road loop and view the bridges from above. With more time, you can take trails into the valleys and see the bridges up close. The photo below shows a bridge in the centre of the photo — it is…
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On our way from the Capitol Reef to the Natural Bridges area, we had to cross some very interesting country as well. Just east of the Capitol Reef is the town of Caineville. The land around Caineville looks like a stegosaurus’ back with a number of jutting, ragged, sheets of rock sticking out of the…
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As you drive down and off of Bolder mountain you enter Capitol Reef National Park. The Reef is a large block of rock tipped at an angle and standing way up into the air for many miles. The Reef is cut by several rivers and washes. When the rain falls these can be very dangerous places…
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We left Bryce to travel over US 12 in Utah which I had always thought went through some of the most colourful and spectacular scenery in the state. Apparently other people thought so too because the area has now been declared the Escalante Staircase National Monument. The road (and Monument) extends from Panguitch in the…
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We made our way to Bryce Canyon National Park. We were lucky to camp in a perfect camping location right by the Rim trail system in the northern part of the canyon. We made the obligatory road tour and saw the standard sites, but some of the best views and enjoyable experience (read “no crowds”)…
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From the south rim of the Grand Canyon we made the trip over to the North Rim. This is about a 7 hour drive and takes you way east and north to cross the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. From Marble Canyon we travelled north and west again and finally south to the North Rim. The…
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