Canyonlands National Park

Seven Weeks Across America

Canyonlands National Park was next on our itinerary.  It is comprised of three sections, all adjacent but each accessed by a different road, several hours apart.  The closest was Island in the Sky, which is the most visited.  There are amazing views just across from the visitor's center, and at several overlooks.  It's amazing you can walk right to the edge (and off the edge if you aren't careful).  It was really beautiful.

The next day we decided to drive over to the next section over, called The Needles, after the pointy rock formations found there.  We stopped at the Visitor's Center, as we always do, and were well rewarded.  My daughter has been doing the Junior Ranger booklets at each national park to earn a badge.  I think that perhaps not too many children come through The Needles Visitor's Center, because the rangers there took so much time with her, and were the first ones to offer her the loaner backpack full of cool things like binoculars and plant id guides.  She was happy as a clam using all those goodies as we drove to the end of the road.  There is literally a barricade so you know to stop, and perched atop was a raven.  

Dead Horse Point State Park

Seven Weeks Across America

Despite its less than attractive name, Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah has off-the-charts views.  We camped at both the campgrounds (for lack of a four-day block at either) and I am really glad we did.  It allowed me to get some sunrise shots.

The story goes that wild horses were rounded up on the point.  The best ones were taken, leaving the rest corralled, in view of the Colorado River below but without access to any water, so they died.

You know who's not going to go without?  The ravens.  They kept watch over the dumpsters and we were warned to make sure what we deposited was entirely under the lid or the ravens would liberate it.  I also had the pleasure of seeing several desert cottontail rabbits and one jack rabbit.  I would have gotten a photo, but, don't you know, he was too fast for me.

Arches National Park

Seven Weeks Across America

It was hot, hot, hot during our time at Arches National Park.  Those temps were breaking 100 degrees, so we kept our hiking to the mornings.  We did two hikes - the one to Delicate Arch being the most well-known.  I was very proud of our peanut for making it.  It was not an easy hike, and even in the morning it was still hot.  But it was so worth it.  It was magnificent to see in person, particularly because it was surrounded by a huge natural amphitheater.  Despite the dozens of people who were sharing the space, there was plenty of room to take a seat and soak it all in.  

Our other hike took us to Landscape, Navajo, and Double O arches.  I would highly recommend this hike - it was truly fun to scramble over boulders, walk on top of fin rock formations and clamber up and through some arches.

There are so many arches to see, you sort of have to pick and choose what you spend your time visiting.  I particularly enjoyed Double Arch.  You really have to walk down the path to appreciate how very cool it is.

Camping at Cayton

Seven Weeks Across America

After camping in the dry heat at Mesa Verde, we were ready for a change of scenery, so we drove up into the mountains, without much of a plan.

We lucked out to get a spot at Cayton Campground in the San Juan Mountains.  It was refreshingly lush, with a stream running just behind our campsite, perfect for splashing around in.

This usually busy site was very quiet since it had just recently reopened after forest fires.  

Mesa Verde National Park

Seven Weeks Across America

Mesa Verde is just one of those places you need to see once in your lifetime.  You can look at all the photos you want of the Pueblo ruins, but nothing compares to standing inside one, or even viewing one from a lookout.  And what's there can really not be described as ruins.  While some repairs have been made, many are largely intact, dating from the 12th century.  

You can buy tour tickets to three different cliff dwellings, including Cliff Palace, pictured here.  You must buy tickets at the Visitor's Center, so do that as soon as you enter the park, and be prepared in case they are all sold out for the day you arrive.  We picked up tickets for two tours, spaced perfectly to allow a lunch break between.  Cliff Palace is the largest structure, with 150 rooms.  You can walk along it and peer into the doors, windows and kivas.  Balcony House, our second tour, is not for the faint of heart.  It requires a 30-foot ladder climb, squeezing through a small tunnel, and working your way through another tight spot.  But it was totally worth it to see the view the Pueblos enjoyed, living on the edge of a cliff, with nothing but a partial wall to keep you from tumbling to your demise.  It was thrilling.

In addition to these cliff dwellings, there are many more structures you can explore.  They are located on short hikes from the driving road, and are as old and older than the cliff dwellings.  They include homes and even a reservoir.

Everyone comes to see the cliff dwellings, and rightly so, but the views as you are driving through the park (it's an hour at least from the Visitor's Center to the tours) are spectacular.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison

Seven Weeks Across America

Our second national park stop was Black Canyon of the Gunnison.  It's an incredibly steep canyon, so much that the Gunnison River below only gets sun right at midday.  It's very much a driving park, with many overlook stops around the South Rim and also the separate North Rim.  We stayed to the south, where the Visitor's Center is and also a campground.  There is in fact a gorgeous hike between the two, where you can get some fantastic views of the canyon.  It was so accessible that we went back out at night to do some stargazing.

We enjoyed a nice shady campground, with our own resident deer.  It did not seem to mind that we were sharing the space, walking right past us to graze and rest, several times during the day.  

Cactus Flower

Seven Weeks Across America

A cactus flower on the trail to the Great Sand Dunes overlook.