On to Utah

May 23-25, 2002

May 23 -We crossed the plains of Colorado and up U.S. 50 towards Monarch pass looking for a campsite. We missed the turnoff to the national forest campground we had in mind, so we kept on going. The next campgrounds had not yet opened for the season, so crossed over Monarch pass and down the western slope where we saw a sign for Snowblind campground. It was at the end of a long narrow valley about 8 miles north of U.S. 50. The valley had a large elk population. At first I thought the elk were being raised by a rancher since they were behind fences. There were several herds (or whatever you call a group of elk) of about 15-20 elk. I had not seen so many elk before at one time outside a national park. As we approached each herd in our Roadtrek, the elk jumped the fences with ease and headed up slopes bounding the valley. I was so enthralled with the sight of it all that I forgot to stop and take pictures, so you'll just have to take our word for it.

May 24 and 25 - Headed to Arches National Park in Utah. It was the start of Memorial Day weekend; found out that the only campground at Arches filled at 7:30 that morning. I hadn't expected that in such a remote part of Utah - how naive I can be. So we got on the cell phone and started calling private campgrounds in the area. After about 6 calls, we found one in Moab that could squeeze us in. Spent that afternoon and the next day visiting Arches and Canyonlands national parks. They are both very beautiful, but in a desolate sort of way. I prefer the beauty of the Sierras and the Rocky mountains; the waterfalls, streams, lakes, and mountains seem more hospitable.

Balanced Rock in Arches N.P.

Landscape Arch. It spans about 300 feet across. It is believed to be one of the longest rock arch spans in the world. As an engineer I wonder how it manages to stay up. Sometimes it doesn't; a big chunk fell from the thinnest part of the arch in 1991, so they don't let people get very close anymore.

Delicate Arch. It is worth the hike (about 1.5 miles) to see, especially near sunset.

Canyonlands National Park. We didn't like it as much as Arches.

Next we head for the Navajo country south of here and then go on to Grand Canyon.