Saturday, April 14, 2012

Littleton, CO & Homeward Bound 4/12 to 4/14/12

Littleton, CO & Homeward Bound 4/12 to 4/14/12: On the Road Again Thursday Apr. 12


Solar panel at a Visitors Center in CO.


We stayed overnight with our friends, Frank and Diana in Littleton, CO. They moved from our hometown to Littleton 4 1/2 years ago and love it in CO. We had a great visit.

On the Road Again Friday Apr. 13 and we are homeward bound. We stayed overnight at Walmart in York, NE. Great driving weather. 462 miles.

On the Road Again Saturday Apr. 14 but the traveling is not as good. The first 120 miles were FOGGY. Guess we are back in the Midwest, moisture in the air. Eventually no more fog. Skies were overcast but that's ok.

What an OUTSTANDING trip we had!!! We traveled 8,300 miles plus 300 miles in car trips with our friends in the Phoenix area. Add the 3000 mile round trip of Phoenix to Seattle. We saw fantastic scenery, landscape and experienced LOTS of miles hiking.

When we went to the SE last Feb. and March I had a hard time picking out a favorite but this time some things really stood out. No. 1: Scenic Hwy. 12 from Torrey, UT. to Boulder, UT. and especially where the road narrows at the peak and the vista is FOREVER. No. 2: Standing atop Angel's Landing in Kodachrome Basin State Park and seeing miles and miles to Bryce Canyon. No. 3: Bryce Canyon. Then add in seeing our NW family in Seattle and not to be forgotten are all the beautiful red rocks of Utah. Something I didn't mention earlier was the scratchy throat I would have in the morning when I'd get up. I was concerned I was getting a "bug" till I realized it was the dry desert air. We were in desert air from Big Bend to Phoenix. (33 days) Our 2 1/2 week trip to Seattle rehydrated our skin. Then back to AZ. and UT's desert's air till we got to Nebraska. (18 days) What a varied country and climates we experienced.

We will catch our breath, dream of more trips and be "On the Road Again" who knows where or when.

Location:Littleton, CO & NE, IA & IL

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Canyonlands National Park & Colorado National Monument 4/11/12

Canyonlands National Park & Colorado National Monument 4/11/12: On the Road Again Wednesday Apr. 11 to tour Canyonland National Park.


Viewing the canyons along the scenic drive through the Park.


Road below was made when uranium was mined on the land before it was named a National Park in 1964.


Buck Canyon


What is this? Seems unusual because of the gray in the middle. It's a cloud.


White Rim on top of the canyon.


Interesting to see the white rock above the red rocks.


We have often seen the fencing using the dead trees.


We hiked to Grand View Point. If you look close you can see a gap between the rock formations.


A close up of the separated formations. They used to be connected but erosion has separated them.


The Lady with Breadbasket rock formation.


The Canyon was formed by the Colorado and the Green Rivers.


Phil who doesn't like heights or actually depths did the entire 2 mile hike. He was a real trooper! The white rim of the Canyon was 1200 feet down. The floor of the Canyon is 1000 ft. below.


Hiking up and....


More steps.


We made the .5 mile hike to the Mesa Arch. Phil sitting under the golden arch.


It was so windy I couldn't look at the camera because of the blowing sand. Hope you can see the expressions of the girls.


The Canyon floor is 800 ft. below the Mesa Arch.


Aztec Mesa.


The car is at the "Neck," a 40 ft. wide road that is the only vehicle access to the 43 square miles of Island in the Sky. The Canyon is encroaching on the Neck from both sides. The water and wind are breaking down the sandstone. Given time the Neck will erode away and cut off the Island in the Sky.


Cattle open grazing on land outside of the Park. These cattle looked better fed. You can see the land has more for the cattle to eat.


Next stop Colorado National Monument near Fruita, CO., named a National Monument in 1911.. Rock, 600 ton boulder atop a pedestal.


Independence Monument, 450 ft. high, in the center of the photo.


Coke Ovens.


As we travel up to 6640 ft. there are winding roads and drop offs.


Along the side of the road a Desert Bighorn


Te Fallen Rock.


Ah, yes, the road had lots of switchbacks roads.

We stayed at Monument Rv Park, Fruita. A very nice park, very clean showers. It was very windy until 11 pm. We would stay here again.
Location:Canyonlands National Park & Fruita, CO

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Arches National Park, 4/10/12

Arches National Park, 4/10/12: On the Road Again to discover more marvels at Arches National Park Tuesday Apr. 10.


Tunnel Arch


Pine Tree Arch


Landscape Arch. On 9/1/91 hikers heard thunder, cracking and popping. A 60 ft. rock fell on this Arch. 180 tons of rock. Hikers can not longer hike under the Arch.


The juniper are struggle so hard for survival. I always marvel at the weathered look.


Can you see the kid walking at the "v" section of the wall?


Hiking to the Skyline Arch. In 1940 a large boulder fell off the Arch doubling the current size. Now the opening is double, 71 ft. wide and 33.5 ft. high.


Two girls were on the Arch. The Arch is accessible from the Campground area.


Some of the boulders that fell in1940.


Sand Dune Arch. It was like a beach area. The .3 mile hike was through deep sand.


Hike was through fins.


Very tall fins.


A red rock with polka dots cause by bacteria growing.


Delicate Arch is also called "Cowboy Chaps" or "Old Maid Bloomers.". It is 45 ft. high and 33 ft. wide.


We were FAR from the Arch. We did not take the strenuous hike to walk under the Arch.


We made an "easier" 1 mile 61 ft. elevation hike.


Taken from the moving RV but thought one spire looks like King Tut.


We have traveled a LOT of switchbacks and windy roads.


Traveling along the Colorado River we saw the Jug Handle Arch.


We stayed at Horsethief BLM. Dry camping again, Very nice area, spacious sites and great price of $6. We would stay here again.



Beautiful sunset ends another wonderful day of discovering our amazing U.S.A.

Location:Moab, UT.