UTAH ROCKS!

You would think that they made these t-shirts just for us!!

I believe everyone will agree that this has been a wonderful experience!

Thank you Connie, Ed, Barbara, and Wilt for all your planning and all your hard work before, during, and (I'm sure) after this caravan.

Here we all are,
the SW Canyon Country Caravan Group at Arches NP, with Delicate Arch in the background.

The "UTAH ROCKS" t-shirt became our unofficial shirt for much of the rally, as can be seen in this photo.

Although I was hesitant to be the main contributor of this blog, I so glad I did it. I learned so much and have gotten much better at what I am doing. Thanks - ANDI

Safe travels.

MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK - Sept.14, 2008

Today was our last day of planned activities.

We spent the day exploring the amazing Ancestral Puebloan ruins at Mesa verde NP.

After a stop at the Visitor Center, we proceeded to the meeting area for the ranger led hike to the Cliff Palace dwellings.

We were in a very large group for the hike.

Steve, Ed, Cis, Mert and Shirley listen to the ranger.

Steve and DG, Ed, Andrea, and a stranger who seemed to be following the same schedule as our group, as we exit the Cliff Palace.

Spruce Tree House


After lunch, many of us participated in another ranger led hike - this time of Balcony House

Wilt climbing one of the ladders.

Barbara and DG after leaving Balcony House.

Back to camp for our final dinner.

CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK - Sept. 12, 2008

Today we toured the highlights of Canyonlands National Park. Although only a few miles from Arches NP, it is entirely different.

We hiked to Mesa Arch -

Looking through Mesa Arch, we were able to see the profile of the Washer Woman.

If you look carefully at the lefthand formation, it looks like a woman doing her wash.

Of course a few had to walk onto the arch....

and then a few more....

and a few more.

As we followed the path back to our cars, we were frequently asked where we got our shirts!!

After a nice picnic lunch, some of us drove to Dead Horse State Park for views of some more rocks.

And then it was time for another off road drive. Some of us drove the
7 mile canyon road (a shortcut?) back to Moab.

We weren't quite sure if we would make it under the rock.

It began to look a little better - but that's the Greenwood's Jeep - we were in the Cohen's Hummer!

But we both made it with no scratches!

Jug Handle Arch

Arches and Canyonlands NP's - Sept. 11, 2008

Today was a free day. Some went off to play golf, some slept in, and some of us went into Arches in the morning to do more hiking. A number of us got up early to make the hike to Landscape Arch in the AM while it was cool. We were only able to get as close as these photos show. A few years ago a large piece broke off. The trail is now blocked off as it is unsure when the next piece of the arch might break away.

In the afternoon some of the group went offroading in Canyonlands NP.
Posted are some of the sights they saw.

Here they are taking photos.

Here's Wilt walking an arch. Apparently quite a few of the folks followed in his footsteps!

The road less travelled????

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK - Sept. 10, 2008

We stopped at several of the roadside viewpoints for our first glimpses of the formations in Arches NP.

Our first view of Delicate Arch.


The hike to and from the viewpoint was a little strenuous - but we all made it.
Many of us wore our "Utah Rocks" tee shirts today.

After a wonderful grilled hot dog lunch at a picnic area, the group split up to do more sightseeing and hiking on their own.

The Tilmans and Sponenbergs chose to hike to Double Arch, two arches in the same rock formation.

Steve and Ed hiked into the arch.

The weather was glorious . Perfect for hiking at Arches.

Sept. 9, 2008 - Torrey to Moab - Wave # 2

Wave # 2, led by the Tilmans left Torrey at about 10 AM, traveling through Capitol Reef NP, to Moab, UT.

And once again, the scenery keep changing!

There were many cyclists travelling in the opposite direction.

Time to Change the World

Who would win? A big balancing rock or the Hummer? We never did find out but were most curious about what could happen!

Boulder, UT

We began our day with a scenic drive to Boulder.

We ate breakfast at the Boulder Mesa Restaurant.

Then we visited the Anasazi State Park and Museum and had a look at an Ancestral Puebloan archaelogical excavation.

Snacking outside the Anasazi State Park and Museum as we listen to Don Montoya, the Museum Curator

Hiking and Driving the Burr Trail

Geo-caching along the way

Hiking the Grotto on the Burr Trail