24th June 2024
I took yesterday off. I learned 20-odd years ago that not taking time away from the trip can land you in a bad place. Naturally I overslept yesterday, which made this morning's 0800 start a bit yawny.
No matter - after an invigorating shower, I pack all my kit into my cases and my carrier bag that I keep stuff for the car in, and trundle around to the front desk. I decided to extend by a night just after arriving, but they didn't have a 'King' room available, which means I'll be moving rooms today. I leave my cases in the office, then wander out into the already bright day to where the car is waiting, like a big, dusty dog...
It's a clear and bright morning and is going to be a tad warm later - I go in search of breakfast...
Opposite the hotel is a little bakery/bistro...
...with an extensive menu, from which I order the Moab Mania, natch...
...which was delicious...
Their cinnamon buns were just ridiculously big...
When Ginny brings my breakfast, I idly ask her whether she would expect Arches National Park (just north of Moab) would be busy today. She asks me what time my permit is for...
Sure enough - Arches have taken a leaf out of Yosemite's book and you now have to book a one-hour entry slot. No matter, Ginny quickly connects my phone to the café's Wi-Fi and I log into the same government site I used for my Yosemite pass. There are plenty available, so I book 1000-1100 and pay my $2.
I tip well.
I'm back in the car heading north out of Moab at about 1040 or so...
There's an awful lot of traffic - especially commercial traffic - about, along with the RVs and boats...
I join the short queue to get into the park. I present my electronic pass, Annual Parks Pass and driving licence to Ranger Paris(!)...
...who wishes me a good trip. I drive slowly up the switchbacks which climb into the park proper...
I notice the first few miles of road are decorated liberally with 'tar snakes' - the rather poetic American expression for over banding...
It's a bit of a sensory overload - wherever you look are remarkable and beautiful rock formations...
I'm stuck in a traffic stoppage for 15 minutes or so about halfway along the park road. I keep the roof up and the ac on, as it's already 94 F...
Eventually we follow a pilot car through - I think they'd just been finishing resurfacing and had both directions stopped as a result...
I don't envy whoever is going to have to clean the car after I return it...
There are several natural arches here - hence the name of the park. I have chosen not to picture them...
I put the roof down for a few minutes, before deciding that this is a silly idea and raising it again...
The flag-men are well covered up - it must be a tough job in this heat...
It's a beautiful part of the world, though...
Balancing Rock. Not an arch.
It's difficult to take a bad pic here - but I do my best...
Eventually, I head back down the switchbacks - Moab seems impossibly green in the distance, after my eyes have been taking in all the reds and ochres...
A long line of traffic is waiting to enter.
I don't turn back to Moab, but turn right heading towards Dead Horse Point State Park - further north...
The entrance to Dead Horse is several miles up a road to the left of the main drag. This is also the entrance to part of Canyonlands National Park, but we won't be going that far today...
The geology of this area is fascinating - but it’s a stark and unforgiving landscape...
After a while I turn left towards Dead Horse, and pay my $20 entrance fee (this isn't a National Park, so my NP Pass won't work)...
I once more park by the recycle bin and slowly meander up to Dead Horse Point...
There are no wild horses in the area now, but when there were, cowboys would corral them at the point; choose the ones they wanted, then leave the others to die of thirst.
Man's inhumanity never ceases shocking me...
The view may be familiar to those who have seen
Thelma and Louise, as it's the final scene of the film. Apparently, they had to do the stunt
twice - the cost of each clear-up was huge...
OK, it's no Grand Canyon - but you can see for
ever...
I take a slow walk back to the car...
It's now really warm, and I keep the ac on max on my way back into town...
I notice the excellent mural on the side of Poison Spider Bicycles has faded a bit since I first saw it, back in 2004...
The car's temperature gauge is reading 103 F - it's time for some lunch...
That should do nicely...
Exactly what is required...
Let's see...
Beef Fajita Taco Salad with lemonade...
Absolutely delicious. I settle up, then return to the Hampton Inn, where my gigantic new room is ready...
Going home a week today - where next...
and it looked delicous.
