Capital Reef National Park and driving to Dead Horse State Park.

When we left Torrey on Thursday the 14th we headed east on Utah 24 to Capital Reef National Park.





When we got to the visitor’s center and turned to go on their scenic drive we came upon road construction where we had to wait for the lead vehicle to follow through the mess.

This is one giant Cottonwood tree.

Once we got through the main construction area there were some small construction sites further down the road but were no problem to get through. Even though this area did not have the color of the previous parks we went through, the geology was real interesting.




Why does the road always seem to narrow down when you can’t see the other side?




Previously before coming back to the entrance/exit traffic jam, this 5^th wheeler hit a couple of the cones in the corners.  Needless to say, it was some tight maneuvering.

These petroglyphs were on the main road east of the visitors center. It reminds me of the figures you see in the back window of a mini van. Dad, mom, children, and pets.


The topography changed again after we left the park.



We took the long route south through Blanding to get to Moab. This took us through the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area where the Colorado and the Dirty Devil River come together.

The Colorado River before it meets the Dirty Devil River.

Heading down to the Colorado River bottoms.



I was surprised that we did not meet more motorcyclists.

I was also surprised on how many bicyclists we came across out in nowhere.

We stopped Natural Bridges National Monument to view three of the bridges that were in the area. Maybe I should explain a couple of things at this time. The difference between a National Park and a National Monument is that a National Park requires an act of Congress where as a National Monument can be created by a Presidential order. Now, the difference between national bridges and arches is that bridges are created by the effects of water flow while arches are created by the frost and seeping water.






Now here is a big notch that had to be made for the road to go through.

Before we got to Moab we stopped to see Wilson Arch which is visible from Hwy 191 south of Moab.



This tourist trap had its gates closed. Business must be down.

It seems they forgot to lock doors on the reptiles cage.

We stayed at the campground in Dead Horse Point State Park.

This is the view from the Dead Horse Point lookout. That’s the Colorado River 2,000 feet and this is the start of the Grand Canyon.



One morning in Dead Horse I woke up and the sun was going to rise so I got out of bed and got my camera.   As I was getting back into bed to take the picture I noticed the almost full moon was setting out the other window. Kind of neat to see one rise as the other sets.


Until next time,
Dave and Sandy

Bryce Canyon National Park

The temperatures were a pleasant mid 70’s in Bryce Canyon National Park compared to the upper 90’s in Zion NP. We spent only a day and a half (7-12 &7-13) touring Bryce Canyon but can say this is the best we have seen so far. We started day one by getting on the shuttle that only goes part way down the canyon to Bryce Point and worked our way back. I would recommend this shuttle.
Most of the rock formations in the following pictures are called Hoodoo’s……very interesting formations.











Evening Primrose.


Why did she keep saying “move more to your left”?

Future Hoodoo’s on the left.

Ally, you’re not the only one who can look pretty on that stump.

If we saw 3 rental motorhomes we must have seen 500 on this trip. Surprisingly about 70% were rented by people from out of the country. We heard languages spoken from all around the world. Actually, we heard foreign languages more than English.  We are proud to live in a country with so many diverse landscapes and geological wonders unique the the USA.

The wildflowers here are very delicate and sparse.


Wyoming Paintbrush.

Wyoming Paintbrush.



On our second day we spent the morning driving up to Rainbow Point. This area did not have as much dramatic scenery as yesterday but was still pretty good.  We saw a few “look-outs” in the hoodoos.
There must be something good by that tree…must be a favorite of these Pronghorns.











Blue Flax.





Markagunt Penstemon?



It was around noon when we got done and started for Torrey, UT via State Hwy 12. For you with larger motorhomes you might want to check out the “Mountain Directory West” before going on this route, but I personally would not have a problem taking a big rig on this road.  The scenery is fantastic.


We came across this Airstream Trailer park that has its own drive-in theater complete with cars for their guests.

The building in the middle is the projector room. Too bad we could not get up close to see how good of shape the cars were in.

That’s the screen on the right.

Of course, we had to run into some road construction.  Fresh tar and gravel……yuck!

Like I mentioned before, you should check the “Mountain Directory”.





As we got closer to Torrey the scenery changed to mature forests of Aspen and Ponderosa Pines. The Aspen looked to have taken a beating from the winter snows.


Until next time,
Dave and Sandy