Moving on from Moab

How can I even think of leaving Moab.  It feels like we have just seen the tip of the iceberg.  Every time I consult a map or guide I find so much more that I want to do.  But I feel the road calling me.  There is just so much world out there to see.

I WANT TO SEE IT ALL!

As we are preparing the Lolita for travel I hear the revving of engines and notice that the Jeeps are gathering for their morning run.  Normally when I here the road of engines or gathering of people I want to move as far away as fast as I can go.

But the Jeepers haven't been a problem at all up to this point although the busiest time for Jeep Safari will happen after we leave.  I must say the Safari organizers have done an excellent job of making the impact minimal.  I haven't seen vehicles off road except on marked trails and they have been respectful of others regarding noise.  I wish all ORV drivers were as considerate as the ones I have experienced this last week.  They would find themselves more welcome in sharing our great outdoors.

The sign gives me a chuckle.... I'm not going through an unknown surface or puddle with 'surprises' with my tow vehicle.... after all in addition to 4 wheel adventures, Hoss (my trusty truck) hauls my little home from place to place).

 So Not Worth the Risk!



Rain the day before left puddles to another camping loop underwater.  I have thought of the desert as so thirsty that when a rain comes it would soak right in, however the crusty ground forms a hard surface that water either sits on or runs off causing flooding.  Not always a safe place to be, so it is imperative to be aware of your surroundings at all times. The desert has many lessons to teach me for sure!

 The sign as you are leaving south out of Moab say's Moab, Again and Again!

Yes, Moab, I will return!!

There is always an air of excitement as the road stretches out before me with Lolita following behind.  Sometimes I have a vague idea about where I'm headed other times it is planned out in detail.  

Today is of the vague variety.

Again my sights move to the La Sal Mountains.  The last couple of days have resulted in rain in the lowlands.....SNOW in the mountains.

The plains have opened in a flat expanse leading to the mountains.

I love the desert but my heart is also drawn to the mountains. 

We viewed the Wilson Arch from the pullout from the Highway heading south from Moab.  How wonderful to view another arch from the comfort of the truck.  These weary feet deserve a rest today.

We headed south to Canyon lands, the Needles Unit. 

 

There is extensive canyons to explore....but mostly that will wait for a follow up trip to the main part of the Southern Canyon lands.  A lot of the area is best seen by packing into the back country...(read sleeping on the ground) and is not in my future.  This trip the only vista I will be visiting is the Needles Overlook before heading farther south. 

This is the closest we have come to a wild flower meadow.
How precious is each bloom in the desert.

A beautiful reminder.... we never know what lies before us in our fragile lives.

 

Newspaper Rock Petroglyphs

During my time in Utah I have hunted for petroglyphs.  This has been the most beautiful panel I have found.   A follow up post will show more of the panels.

 Many messages from past lay before us.

Remnants from Pioneer Ranching

 

What a hard life these pioneers lived.

Eventually the land swallowed up their lives and future.

Can you almost hear the cowboy western music playing softly in the background.

The snow during the chill of the night left it's mark on the landscape....

Wait until you see 

where we will be next be living large.... on the edge!