A Rocky Place

Road Trip Day Eight

We were going to visit Bluff fort this morning but Wifey was not really feeling up to it so we made an earlier start north instead. The aim today was to get to Moab - the gateway to both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks.

The drive was beautiful - spectacular rugged scenery with distant snow capped mountains. The roads were more interesting as well, having a few twists and turns to negotiate rather than long straight sections as on previous days. We passed through Blanding and then Monticello. I'd hoped to stop for a break in Monticello but as GC was now asleep we pushed on for Moab. She then woke a short while later and we pulled at the side of the road for a mug of tea and took some pics of the scenery.

A big rock (picture by Golden Child)

Back on the road a few miles further on I pulled in again. This time we were passing a large rise of sandstone and it had a 'Scenic View' sign. The sizable layby was almost empty. I swung the RV around to park and then 'Wilson's Arch' came into sight. It is a pretty spectacular hole in the rock caused by weathering of different layers of sandstone and salt. 

These kind of arches are not uncommon in this area but this was the first we had seen. I suggested a walk/scramble up to it and all three of set off. It was warm and sunny and the climb was not difficult but GC and Wifey both decided to stop halfway so I carried on alone, being joined by some other tourists at the top a short while later. Great place and cracking views.

Wilson's Arch (picture by me)

Me at Wilson's Arch (picture by Wifey)

Entering Moab we found the visitor information centre and I enquired about RV spots in the parks. Arches was full but Canyonlands, a little further on, likely had space but we would have to turn up and see as there was no way to confirm this. If it was full there was a camp just before Canyonlands that was bound to have places. 

None of these were RV Parks with WiFi, hook-ups, water, shops and food like the ones we had been in so far. They were all remote 'dry' sites, with just long drop toilet facilities. We had plenty of fresh water on board and could run a generator if the nights were too cold without heating, so this was not a problem and I was quite looking forward to it.

A short break in Moab at a local playground to let GC run around a bit was cut short as she found all the equipment too hot to touch in the bright sunshine. We made for Canyonlands and found the campsite there was full. I retraced the road a few miles to Horsethief campsite just outside the National Park and we chose an empty spot from the many there. 

Wifey promptly took herself off for a sleep while GC and I had some time together and went for an explore. After an evening meal GC looked knackered and was in bed by 18.30hrs. This is not a surprise really as we are usually up around 06.30 hrs and she is still not over her illness and is full of snot and coughs.

I managed to get a few shots of the night sky. This is something I've wanted to try for ages but unless you have 'dark skies' - a sky with little or no light pollution - there really in not much point doing this. I am refining my technique as I go but i'm quite happy with this one of our little camp site.

Night sky over Horsethief campsite, Utah (picture by me)