Monument Valley
Pat and John in Monument Valley
Sand Art on a larg scale
Newspaper RockUtah
From the Grand Canyon we headed into Utah. We endured a dust storm as we toured Navajo National Monument and entered Monument Valley. At Monument Valley, we had the choice of taking a commercial tour (cost $100) or a self drive tour for $10. We were told the dirt road was passable for RVs, so being a cheap bas***, I chose the $10 option. The road was rougher than I expected, and at some point our bike rack bounced out of its bracket and we dragged the bikes across the rocks. The bikes were in a new bike cover. Now the cover was shredded and there was obvious damage to Pat’s bike. Suddenly my $90 savings didn’t seem too smart. In addition, our ‘Check Engine’ light came on and we had to replace some oxygen sensors.
We finally got to Canyonlands NP, Needles area. We got some hiking done here but were unable to find a campsite, so we headed into Moab. In addition to getting Pat’s bike fixed ($103), we spent a couple of days hiking and exploring Arches NP. Several more days were spent at the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands NP. One day we rented a four wheel drive Jeep and toured many of the canyons that would be inaccessible otherwise.
For the last six weeks we have been traveling in what is called Red Rock Country or Canyon Country; at least that what the tourist bureau calls it. I call it Wind, Thorn and Rock country. If it is not solid rock, it either has thorns or will be blown in your face by the wind. OK, I guess I’m getting a bit tired of 20 shades of red - I miss green. With this focus, we left the Moab area and headed for California. First I had to get some minor toe surgery done.
From the Grand Canyon we headed into Utah. We endured a dust storm as we toured Navajo National Monument and entered Monument Valley. At Monument Valley, we had the choice of taking a commercial tour (cost $100) or a self drive tour for $10. We were told the dirt road was passable for RVs, so being a cheap bas***, I chose the $10 option. The road was rougher than I expected, and at some point our bike rack bounced out of its bracket and we dragged the bikes across the rocks. The bikes were in a new bike cover. Now the cover was shredded and there was obvious damage to Pat’s bike. Suddenly my $90 savings didn’t seem too smart. In addition, our ‘Check Engine’ light came on and we had to replace some oxygen sensors.
We finally got to Canyonlands NP, Needles area. We got some hiking done here but were unable to find a campsite, so we headed into Moab. In addition to getting Pat’s bike fixed ($103), we spent a couple of days hiking and exploring Arches NP. Several more days were spent at the Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands NP. One day we rented a four wheel drive Jeep and toured many of the canyons that would be inaccessible otherwise.
For the last six weeks we have been traveling in what is called Red Rock Country or Canyon Country; at least that what the tourist bureau calls it. I call it Wind, Thorn and Rock country. If it is not solid rock, it either has thorns or will be blown in your face by the wind. OK, I guess I’m getting a bit tired of 20 shades of red - I miss green. With this focus, we left the Moab area and headed for California. First I had to get some minor toe surgery done.
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