Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Re-visiting

 

Come along with me and visit my backyard.

We began our Journey from Spring City, our home in Central Utah,
heading south. 



Our first stop, 2 hours down the street.  Capitol Reef National Park.




Nearby is the historic town of Fruita (1883-1941)
The residents of Fruita planted many fruit and nut trees. 
Over 3,000 fruit trees are still producing heirloom fruits. 

The public is welcome to pick during the fruit harvest from June through September. 


  


Our next stop is Goblin Valley State Park, central Utah.



Can you see the little Goblins?




 Heading south after staying overnight in Hanksville. 
Try not to stay there.  
The wind was howling and ripped at our roof.  
The noise made it impossible to sleep.  

Our little Lucy hid under the bed covers.  



Heading south toward Monument Valley.  
We are leaving the "Valley of the Gods" for another time.
I hear it's beautiful. 

Just before the Valley of the Gods you will have the adventure of a lifetime.

You will be introduced to the most treacherous road you have ever been on.  But Oh how breathtaking.  Once begun you can not turn around.  

It's the dreaded "Moki Dugway 3 miles gravel switchbacks"



If you have survived Moki (there is an alternate route) you have an easy drive to Monument Valley. 

You might recall that 12 western movies (5 movies with John Wayne alone) were shot in Monument Valley.The last movie was shot in 2008.
  




Straddling the Utah/Arizona border you will find the amazingly beautiful Monument Valley and the 
home of the proud Navajo Indian Nation. 




We stayed at the historic Goulding's Lodge.

From here you can take many tours all guided by Native Americans.  



3rd morning, heading back home.





 We stopped in at the Bluff Fort Museum in Bluff, Utah. 





Internet

Still going north we headed for Moab and the La Quinta. 
A dog friendly hotel where you will meet the nicest people. 


Moab has changed.  
Here are some of the adventures in which you can participate: 
River rafting, Hummer safaris, Mountain Biking, Sunset Tours, hiking Tours, Zipline and Ropes, Flights, Horseback, Jetboat, Jeep Rentals AND

Tango Lessons. 



This morning we are heading home.  200 miles to go, 
 the first 160 miles with no services.  Better gas up.

Happy Trails to you.  

Gina 



10 comments:

  1. Dear Gina - the landscape in your backyard is really dramatic - I would love to see it. May be one day, but who knows when we will be free to travel again.

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    1. Dear Rosemary,
      I see tentative signs of travel restrictions being lifted. A good and safe place tp start wouldd be in my "backyard". You would be so welcome.

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  2. This brings back great memories of visiting these beautiful places long before we even knew you dear Gina. All were spectacular but have never driven the Moki Dugway! Must admit though nothing is better than just staying home and sitting in YOUR stunning back yard - I loved that part of Utah most of all!

    Hugs - Mary

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    1. Dear Mary,
      It's best that one enjoys the Moki switchbacks from photographs. I was holding my breath all the way down and of course, I couldn't even think of taking photographs.

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  3. Hello Gina,
    What wonderful photos of a very different landscape. Those goblins are so unique. Perhaps one day we will travel down to Utah - so many interesting sights to see.

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    1. Dear Lorrie, You would love our "back of the woods" landscape. So many spectacular National Parks and National Monuments to visit. All so close together and so easy to reach.

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  4. Oh fabulous pictures - I am so envious. Here all is green, which is beautiful too, but its the light you have and the contrasts that brings. I always say there are five seasons in the UK Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter - and the longest one of all - Grey... which goes on all year and seems always to return too quickly.

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  5. Hello Philosopher,
    We, on the other hand have lost one of the seasons, Spring. And it is my favorite season. It's been very cold. Nothing is growing. We will hit Summer temperatures any day now. My daffodils will be shocked into reality.

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  6. Good Morning Gina,
    We did drive the Moki Dugway during an extended trip to Utah in 2019. We were scheduled to return in the Spring of 2020 but we will save that trip for another time.
    We love the amazing colours of the landscape, the many parks, blue skies and sunshine.
    Thank you for the pics and memories.
    Spring has arrived just south of Vancouver BC with the blossoming of fruit trees, magnolias and many varieties of bulbs. The bees are flying and all is hopeful.
    Regards Janine
    Minworks.blogspot.com

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    1. Hello Janine,
      How nice of you to stop by. I'm so pleased that you liked your trip through some of our amazing parks where skies are the most incredulous blue and the rock formations come from an Artists palette.
      Spring is taking his time around here, not even a daffodil to be seen.

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