Rocks and More Rocks
Trip Start
Jan 08, 2008
1
39
51
Trip End
Apr 09, 2008
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah, United States
Friday, March 21, 2008
Our view from the hotel in Kayenta included yet another sonic and native horses wandering back and forth across the highway. This is Reservation land and horses are a common sight. We travelled north planning to visit Monument Valley first but made a last minute decision to give it a pass. Looking at the map we decided we had a lot of country to cover today. We have discovered that we really like travelling the secondary roads. For the most part they are wide, paved and in good condition and have very little traffic. It is certainly the way to see this part of the country. You miss so much if you stay to the main highways
Sonics everywhere
. We left hwy 163 and took 261 to connect with 95. The 'yellow' roads are usually paved and not noticeably different from 'red' roads in most cases but this one proved different! We found ourselves driving straight into a very high cliff! Many switchbacks later we found ourselves on a summit plateau, with cooler temperature and a lot more vegetation. We even found cowboys! Natural Bridges national Monument is delightful with many relatively easy walking paths. We enjoyed our break here. Then on #24 and through a part of Capitol Reef National Park. The landforms through this area are spectacular! The rock changes colour constantly and you never know what will be around the next corner. The road is relatively level and you find yourself driving between canyon walls for much of this trip. We were exhausted by the end of the day from sensory overload. 
