MOAB, UTAH (#7)

Moab is a small, seasonal town whose main focus is being the gateway to our last two National Parks of  Utah's Big 5. Prices are relatively high, dune buggies are everywhere and boutiques cater to the outdoor enthusiasts.  It appeared to us that people are willing to live on very little just to be surrounded by this outdoor playground.  There is only a hint that Moab functions as a municipality outside the tourist season.

However, it was a surprise to find two parks within 40 miles of each other and exhibit such varied landscapes. 

Moab, Utal (7) and Durango, Colorado (8)

View from our RV in Moab, UT in April.

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

Just a few miles north of Moab is the entrance to Arches National Park,  boasting 2000 arches within its boarders.  It also offers miles of hiking and various paths for mountain bikers.  Again some of the hikes are not without risk of falling, but generally they offered a fun time climbing over rocks.

Delicate Arch, the most photographed view in the park.  Visitors make the 4 mile round trip hike and just stare at this arch.

The picture shows the rock formation as it currently is.  

The picture below is a depiction of what geologist think the arch looked like.

Double Arch.  I always like to include people to give perspective.

This too is a view of Arches N.P.

Balanced Rock

Private Arch.  These arches are created by erosion with wind and water seeping into cracks, where it freezes and weakens the rock.  The creation of an arch is also the destruction of one.

Yet another one...actually these formations are really interesting and all are a work in progress....

just like these two!!

If the Park Service decides to name something, put a parking area near it, or better yet make people hike to see it,  it must be important.


CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, about 40 miles from Arches

The Green and Colorado Rivers flow through and converge in Canyonlands.  The green coloration in this picture is one of the rivers.

This Park is viewed mostly from a masa.  Our daughter, Bonnie, joined us for a week visiting Moab and Durango, CO. and Masa Verde National Park.

Canyonlands, before designated a N.P. was mined for uranium.

It is possible to hike and mountain bike on some of the roads below.  I suspect there are ways to get to the very bottom on the canyon also, but that was beyond our efforts.

Bonnie and I are chased by a storm.  Our photographer is well on his way to the car!

Such a gorgeous site.

MASA VERDE NATIONAL PARK, between Moab, UT and Durango, CO

Cliff dwelling cities are the draw for this park and their accesibility makes it very exciting.  So many historical areas are off limits to visitors and we are left to gaze and imagine from a distance,...but not here.

From the top of the cliff, it looks like a model.

Visitors on the tour are warned about the challenges of the cliff village tour, especially having to climb this  30 foot ladder.

Not everyone passed the challenge.

The park ranger was very proficient in describing life under the cliffs.  Farming in the valley below and on the masa supplied food.

This is not just a clever picture.  Every person on the tour was obligated to craw through this 6 foot long, very narrow tunnel!  The only alternative is going back down the ladder.

Roaming was encouraged.

To make a long story short, all of the southwest  cliffs and dwellings we visited were abandoned around 1350 AD probably due to drought, but no one is certain about their development over the next several hundred years or how they dispersed.  However, one fact is certain.  DNA testing proves that decedents of the cliff dwellers do live in the area today.

DURANGO AND SILVERTON, CO

Durango was known as the transportation hub for the mining industry.  Currently there is a tourist train that makes a daily trip  to Silverton, CO during the summer season.  (It is expensive and takes an entire day.  Locals suggested a driving tour would be as beautiful.) This is a vibrant town that supports itself with an economy not solely based on tourism.  Locals told us they experience a high cost of living, however.  The Fort Lewis College is a nice addition to Durango.

The town is surrounded by mountains.  This is one of the first southwestern towns I actually thought I could enjoy living in.....maybe it was seeing green grass and beautiful trees for a change!

Getting to Silverton is a 50 minute drive north over mountain passes with switchbacks.  Finally the town appears in the valley below.  There is a small amount of winter skiing here and the economy was just opening for the summer season.  The town existed because of the mining industry here.  We wanted to continue another 30 miles to Ouray, CO, but the wintery conditions (even in late April) were hazardous.

Silverton, the mining town.

Silverton is home to about 600 people and a few shops and hotels, at over 9300 ft. elevation.  A dirt road will take you higher into the mountains to visit a ghost town partially destroyed by an avalanche which is a big draw when the weather is accommodating.  A  4-wheel drive vehicle is  highly recommended!

 SADLY, OUR ADVENTURE ENDS IN DURANGO, CO AND OUR DRIVE BACK TO MICHIGAN BEGINS.  BUT WE ARE MAKING PLANS TO LEAVE AGAIN IN EARLY SEPTEMBER.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY WHO EMAILED COMMENTS ALONG OUR TRAVELS.  AND ALSO TO THOSE NEW FRIENDS WHO ADDED ADVICE AND SUGGESTIONS TO ENHANCE OUR ADVENTURE.

ALWAYS,
 DENNY AND LAURIE

P.S. See you in the Fall hopefully in Nova Scotia!