Canyonlands National Park ~ Amazing

Thanks for the suggestion about Live Writer, Laurie and Odel.   I know many bloggers use it but I haven't attempted to download the program or even look into it.  I'm always afraid to try something new!   I can screw things up like nobody's business!  However, I am going to get into that when we get back to Tumwater, if not sooner.  What could be the worst that could happen?  I'll screw it up, wipe out the entire blog, and start all over again!!!

Yesterday we went to Canyonlands National Park.  The road that takes you there is almost directly opposite our RV park.  From there it is a 25-mile drive to the Visitor's Center.  This National Park is divided into 3 sections.  We only did the tour in the Island In The Sky portion.  To reach The Needles would mean a 100-mile drive south to that entrance.  We only had 2 days here so that part will have to wait until the next trip.  The third section is The Maze and it is the "wildest section" and ranks as one of the most remote in the entire U.S.  We aren't going there either.

The Island In The Sky area gave us plenty of natural wonders just within that section.  This area is a broad mesa between the Colorado River and the Green River.  There are numerous overlooks and miles and miles of hiking trails.  This is the Shafer Canyon overlook....

Some of the areas are handicapped accessible, but truthfully, not an easy place for people with disabilities.  Most of the short trails we checked out were rocky and had many steps.  There is a paved road that crosses "the island" plus there are numerous and lengthy dirt roads for off-road vehicles.  We've never seen so many jeeps in one place as we have here in the Moab area.

There is a primitive campground and we drove through it.  It had great tent sites, and many were occupied.  There were also good spots for short RV's, I'd say 24 to 26 footers could be comfortable.  I don't have a photo of the campground.  It is called Willow Flat.  (no water)

This park is a "wilderness of rock at the heart of the Colorado Plateau" according to the park brochure.
Most of the park can best be explored by off-road vehicles or by hiking.  These photos are at a place called White Rim.  The 2 rivers lie 1,000 below the rim of this canyon.  White Rim is a nearly continuous sandstone bench.

There was another beautiful vista with every turn in the road.  The deep canyons had many layers of beautiful colors.  We had a great day for touring the park as the sky was blue and clear.

They had some formations of needle like pinnacles that are similar to what can be seen down in The Needles section. 

As a warning....there is no water available so bring your own.  And VERY FEW restrooms.  Like almost none!!!   So if you go, be prepared for that and don't drink a lot of coffee before coming to view this fantastic national treasure.

Annie the Schnauzer went along and she was happy!

Until next time...so long for now!