From Cortez, CO to Moab, UT

From Cortez,  we thought we would head to Bluff, UT, but we ended up at Blanding, Blue Mountain RV Park.   The next morning we wanted to explore the area so we headed out and found Twin Rocks Resturant for a little breakfast. 

     See the Twin Rock in this panoramic view. 

We did visit the small town of Bluff, UT and checked out the pioneer village there.

From there, we continued to drive through Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley.

There are rugged rock formations at every turn and hill. 

This rock is called "Mexican Hat". 

I enjoyed shopping the Navajo roadside stands along the way. 

We even saw where Forrest Gump turned around. 

On our way back to camp, the storm clouds were gathering.

While in Blanding, we also visited Natural Bridges National Park. 

From Blanding to Moab

Moab, UT is a busy little tourists town. We camped at Ok RV park; located a little off the main road going into Moab. It was a nice quiet park. After we set up, we checked Arches National Park but decided it was really too late in the day to spend sufficient time. On our way back into Moab, we took a road that follows the Colorado River.  It was a beautiful drive.  

We checked out the Canyonland Day and Night boat trips and decided to do the Sights and Sound dinner and boat ride on the Colorado. I would recommend this trip. The dinner is at 7:00 and boat ride around 8:00. The guide was informative about the area and pointed out interesting formations along the canyon wall.  After it is dark, lights are shown on the canyon walls as majestic music is played. The stars were bright that evening and we also saw shooting stars.  We had a very nice relaxing evening.

The next morning, we visited Arches National Park.  On my goodness, was it ever amazing!  

Balancing Rock

The Three Gossips. 

Pictures do not capture what the natural eye can see. 

Road to Four Corners and Beyond

The road between Aztec, NM and Cortez, CO is a beautiful drive.  I call the scenery "wow" moments. The rock formations are amazing.

Shiprock

For miles we could see this rock structure rising above the plains.  This is Shiprock.

Shiprock

I never got a real good picture.  This was zoomed in an much as I could.

We arrived near Cortez, CO early afternoon so after setting up, we decided to visit the Four Corners Monument.

Of course we had to have our picture taken at the Four Corners spot.  Many other visitors lay down and spread arms and legs to cover all four states.

I enjoyed shopping the vendors, but was a little disappointed at the quality of items.  I guess I got spoiled at the Santa Fe vendors.  I passed up a great deal on bracelet from a Navajo artist selling his items at Governor's Palace in Santa Fe.

There are vendors in all four corners.

 We tried to get centrally located to the sights so the next day we made our way to Mesa Verde National Park.  Like I said on my FB post, you really should plan for at least two days to visit the park.  We only planned for one day, so we tried to cram as much in as possible.

 There use to be a road around this rock structure before a tunnel was built.  Thankful for the tunnel.

The cliff dwellers had to be amazing architects.  Their homes in the cliffs are amazing.

The Ranger said these were rocks were placed here by the inhabitants. 

.I took many more pictures but you will just have to visit yourself.  Our visit here was a highlight of our RV trip thus far.

Aztec, New Mexico

We left Albuquerque on Wednesday.  The drive to Aztec, NM is beautiful in a rugged sorta of way. Almost everywhere you look, the huge rock formations capture the imagination. 

We got a RV site in Aztec near the Aztec Ruins. The site is nice and even has a little green grass. 

After we set up, we decided to visit the Aztec Ruins National Monument. The actual construction was by the Ancestral Puebloans. The site is on the Trails of the Ancients Byway.  

On Thursday, we drove out to Angel Peak and the Badlands of New Mexico. On the way, we stopped off to see Salmon Ruins.  Much like the Aztec Ruins. 

At this same location is a 19th century homestead. 

On to Angel Peak

The canyon and badlands were impressive. 

Friday 

Today we drove over to Durango, Co and up to Silverton, Co. The drive was amazing and the little mining town of Silverton interesting. There is a steam engine train you can catch in Durango that travels to Silverton and back. It would have been nice to ride the train, but the drive was nice too.