2015-04-15 Bluff, Valley of the Gods, Moki Dugway, Goosenecks SP, Mexican Hat, & Wolfman Ruins

We woke up to a very cold morning – in the 30s but no snow.  That’s a plus!

We headed south through Blanding and Bluff.

This photo is Twin Rocks in Bluff - they look like they're kissing.

From there we drove through Valley of the Gods.  These are only a few photos of the rock formations along the 17 miles route.  The Navajo believed these monoliths were warriors frozen in stone who could be appealed to for protection. 

From there we drove up (and then back down) The Moki Dugway.  A dugway is a road going through a high land that was dug out to provide passage.  This was built in the 1950s to haul uranium from the top of the Mesa to Mexican Hat.  It was a 3 mile cliff drive up and back - 1200 feet elevation change.  I took a video on the way up (which I will put on youtube later) and then took pictures on the way back down.  I am getting better at not freaking out on cliffs – still not enjoying it though.

From there we visited Goosenecks State Park.  The San Juan River flows 1000 feet below.

On the drive out the hills were so amazing - love the zig-zag of color.

On to the town of Mexican Hat – named for the rock formation nearby.

Our next stop was a drive down Butler Wash to Wolfman Ruins.  It started as a nice hike on the top of a mesa to a cliff overlook to the ruins. 

Nestled in the crack you see above are the following:

Then, in order to see the petroglyphs, you have to hike down hugging the side of the cliff.  Not my favorite thing to do, but I do love those petroglyphs.

The petroglyphs are in the dark spot in the middle of the photo - hang on and I'll zoom in for you.

And now for the nature shot of the day - this guy was about 4 inches long.  Creepy!!

2015-04-14 Utah - The Citadel & Natural Bridges National Monument

Scariest hike ever!

Got your attention?

It started out nice enough - just a walk through an open mesa.

Some pretty flowers.

Some pretty views.

and then I see where Vaughan plans on hiking to. The Citadel.

You walk out the peninsula to the point.

Well, maybe you, but not me.

My parents raised me to be smarter than that.

Can you see the path? It's the one on the slanted ledge around this rock.

(Vaughan took this shot.)

Here is the final stretch.

(Vaughan took this shot.)

and here is Vaughan - fighting the wind.

Me? I'm on the top of the mesa to the right. 

(Vaughan took this shot.)

Needless to say he made it, I stopped hyper-ventilating, and we hiked the mile and a half back out.

On our way home we stopped by Natural Bridges National Monument.

The bridge in the middle below is called Sipapu.

This is a photo of Horsecollar Ruins. Can you spot them at the base?

How about now?

Maybe if I get a little closer?

Below is Kachina Bridge.

and this big bridge is Owachomo.

The wind was really kicking up and we could see the snow falling in the distance so we high-tailed it home.  The road actually cuts through this ridge - named Comb Ridge.

Hopefully, more to do tomorrow unless we get too much snow.  See you then!

2015-04-13 Monticello UT - Bridger Jack Rd & Cottonwood Rd

We moved to Monticello today.  Vaughan's motorcycle "gang" are now gone and we had done most everything we wanted to do.  Monticello is about 50 miles south of Moab but an additional 2000 feet in elevation - therefore, a little colder.

On the drive down we passed Wilson's Arch,

We stopped at the BLM office for directions to a few of the canyons we want to see and were informed of a storm coming in tomorrow - 60 mph winds and snow.  We decided to quickly get on the road to Beef Basin which will not be doable in the snow.  Unfortunately, we missed a turn and ended up climbing up and up and up a road called Bridger James Rd.  It was a beautiful drive so we continued on for 2 hours until we were up so high the cliffs started to weigh on my nerves.

As you can see in the pictures below the road was not in the best condition - especially on cliffs.

When you see signs that say "Beware - Falling Rocks"  - please believe them.

The view of Canyonlands was incredible.

And now for a few nature shots - 

Sometimes getting lost can be a lot of fun!

THE END