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Published: October 10th 2015
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Last time I was here I didn't get to Dead Horse Point so it was a "must do" this time. So following in the footsteps of Thelma and Louise ... Their last scene as they go over the Canyon was filmed here...but we had no intentions of following them that far ?
So it is as all our days have been absolutely mind blowing as we drive on the tops of the Mesas and then reach overlooks to see canyons stretching far into the distance with glimpses of the Green Rover or the Colorado River below. And how we marvelled at the steep steep gravel tracks/ roads which went down into the canyons ... Would need a land rover or jeep for them and perhaps a nice cowboy to drive us in case we had any problems . It was pretty windy up there on the Mesa that day so with strict instructions from Suz I had to keep well away from the edge. The stark beauty of these places has to be seen to be believed. The story goes that the Cowboys used to drive wild horses onto this point of the Mesa and at some time they took
away the best horses and corralled the rest ...and didn't come back for them , so the poor horses died of thirst even though they could see the river below they couldn't reach it.
That was the place I bought my been-there -done - that T shirt and the wind was so gusty sending sand into our mouths that we had to have our picnic in the car.
Onwards to Canyonlands National Park, with more drives around the Mesa called Island in the Sky. The two massive rivers Green and Colorado have carved this landscape for millions of years and a variety of rock types here mean that there are some arches here too.
The most famous is Mesa Arch and seem to be a favourite photo looking through into the canyons beyond..it's on the front of the Lonely Planet Guide. It also seems to be a place where what I would call stupid bloLes with a deathwish think it is clever to climb onto the arch and walk along the top especially on a very windy day... One of these days someone will topple off, I believe it has happened before. But we were happy to
stay in the "safe zone" and got some great photoS.. Another fabulous day.
Canyonlands was actually last week and today I fly home , so will have to catch up with blogging the rest of the trip once I am back home. Just a couple of tips that I found very useful on this journey... As it was hot hot hot I bought a little polystyrene cool box fo a couple of dollars and some ice packs , I also had filled 2 tubs with ice and water and froze them so on the way each day we would be able to keep the peanut butter, water and fruit cool and the chocolate of course. the lid of the icebox was a bit wobbly so I fastened my suitcase stripey clip belt around it to keep the lid on tight.... This system worked well as each night we had a fridge in the motel and would re- freeze the packs and tubs of water. So have left the coolbox and packs behind now.
Tip two ... If you think you are going to do a few USA trips buy a Satnav here...cheaper than hiring one from car rental
companies - on the open road you don't need it but once you get to the cities it's invaluable.
I haven't got the mileage figures complex at the mo but it looks like I have driven about 2500 miles , although Suz was on the rental agreement as additional driver I was always happy to do the driving and she is the best navigator and official on the road photographer. I had also set it for myself as a bit of a challenge to do the driving on the road trip myself.
So I say goodbye to Beautiful America and the city of Denver and hope to be back on another trip in the next couple of years.
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Dancing Dave
David Hooper
Staggering vistas
Canyonlands is truly a beautiful part of the World as this photo portrays Lynne. Got a feeling this might be of the Chocolate Soldiers. Great pic.