Monument Valley to Moab, then some parks. Sunday 17th

Up relatively early, breakfasted and away from Monument Valley by about 9.00am. Stopped for the "money picture" heading north out of the Valley!

Around 150 miles to Moab. We passed only one town of note, Blanding, on our travels. Blanding had streets and a traffic light. Utah is a very quiet place.

The vistas are huge, and while impressive, they are repetitive!

We were on the main route north and were so thrilled we reverted to counting cars! We passed 21 cars going in the opposite direction in one 13 mile stint! We did it twice, because the first time we passed through a "town" called Bluff so we thought that might have skewed the count. On the 10 mile count through Bluff we passed 28 cars! This was exciting stuff! From Monument Valley to Moab, we turned right coming out of Monument Valley, then another right and we were there. There were VERY few other turnings that were paved, none a major road! .Our road was mainly just one lane each way!

Arrived Moab at about 12.30pm. Our room was ready so we dumped our stuff and walked along Main Street. It looks like what you'd think an old western town would look like updated. Individual wooden buildings with the more modern builds interspersed. A nice wide street with interesting restaurants!

It is an outdoor enthusiasts dream.... why are we here again? lol!!! 4x4's everywhere, bikers, SUV's, there's a taxi for pushbikes, jogging trails, rafting....you name it, it's here!

Around 4.00pm we got in the car and drove to the "Island in the Sky" portion of Canyonlands National Park.

Overcast but nor cold, although snow capped mountains are around us. Most of the area surrounding Moab is between 5000-6000ft above sea level. The views from Island in the Sky were jaw dropping.

Some of the drops were frightening! No fear of us going TOO close to any edge! We trekked to Mesa Arch which stands at the top of a drop of over 1500ft.

Vey impressive! The arch is just there. Immediately on the drop!

We then drove to Dead Horse Point State Park, where the green river cuts through the sandstone before it joins the Colorado River, that runs through Moab.

Again, spectaculat views, but the camera can't give you the whole "Oh my god" experience. Or MY camera can't, anyway, by the look of it!

Back to Moab by 8.00pm... straight out for food as if we'd bathed we'd never have gone back out! Our hotel's right in the centre of town on Main Street! Janet's pick of restaurants. We walked out of the hotel, turned left to cross the road and the restaurant was on the corner, about 30yds! A country duo strumming and singing in the bar adjoining the restaurant. The perfect setting perhaps, almost..... the food was great. The singing was crap!