We took Route 66 only as far east as Arcadia, Oklahoma. We’ll save the leg from Tulsa to Chicago for another time. To catch up with the segment of the route we missed as a result of our detour from Albuquerque, NM, to Austin, TX, we backtracked and finished our journey on the Mother Road in Santa Fe, NM. Because we didn’t want to revisit our path back to L.A., we headed north to cover new terrain and national parks.
We rode between the great plains on the east, where buffalo and mustangs still roam (Comanche country), and the snowcapped Rockies on the west. We then crossed the Continental Divide at Hoosier Pass and stayed overnight in Breckinridge. People were skiing in shorts there.
The next morning we set our GPS for Moab, Utah. We followed the Colorado River for miles.
We spent the entire day hiking in Arches National Park. Although the morning temperature was coolish, the high in the afternoon was 80F, so we layered our clothes.
The clear blue sky sharply contrasts with the bizarre red rock formations and clay soil. Together they provide a spectacular place for hiking and photography.
We took a moderate, 1-mile hike down the Park Avenue Trail in the early morning. At its base stands a formation called the Three Gossips. How do these strange outcroppings form? Extreme temperatures, underground salt, water and ice join forces to create these crazy looking statue-like natural wonders.
Next, we stopped at a the Courthouse Towers formation. Looks like the courthouse in NYC.
This park houses over 2000 arches that range in size – from three feet to 306 feet, base to base. Arches National Park is one of the world’s greatest pockets of natural arches. Above is the Double Arch.
Jill, about to enter the eye of the arch
Pete, standing at the base of Balanced Rock. The rock is precariously perched atop a flimsy base.
Towering spires, pinnacles and snowcapped mountains add to the dramatic landscape.
Pete at the Fiery Furnace trailhead. This place really lights up in the afternoon sunlight.
The beginning of our 1.6 mile afternoon hike to Landscape Arch, the longest arch in the park.
Jill on the winding trail
Landscape Arch, the longest arch in the park, all 306 feet of it.
“Howdy, partner.” Jill is saddling up for some fun. We stayed at a cowboy lodge that has had quite a history. Many movies have been made here: John Wayne & John Ford westerns, dramas, sci-fi movies, Thelma & Louise, etc.
We lucked out because the place ran out of rooms for a tour group, so they upgraded us to a large rustic cabin alongside the river $$$$.
Our roomy kitchen and den
Our spacious bedroom with Cowboy art and a large Jacuzzi tub–so much for caring about the drought!
Pete, gazing at the Colorado River from our porch. This is the place where Thelma & Louise drove off the cliff.
“Giddy up. Head ’em up, move ’em out, Rawhide.” The view from the bedroom. How cool is that?
The Cowboy Grill, the place with a view to “wet your whistle.” Sunset time.
The place even has a movie museum.
Sunrise at the ranch. We plan to return next year – with our mountain bikes and our friends. Next stop: Bryce Canyon.
1 Comment
Beautiful photos at the perfect time of year, with snow capped mountains. Put on a CD of Merle Haggard in his memory and it all makes perfect sense. It must be good to be on the “A List” for hotel upgrades…….
Thanks!