Perhaps a bit of national park overdose, but we went to Canyonlands National Park - Island in the Sky section (there are three sections - Island in the Sky, Needles and The Maze). We started at the Visitor's Center, and, of course, watched the video (I am so predictable). We had an opportunity to speak with a knowledgeable Park Ranger regarding the geology of the Canyonlands and comparing it to the geological strata in the Grand Canyon (much older and deeper strata). Then, off to Grand View Point Outlook and listened to a presentation by another Park Ranger about the geology of the Canyonlands. These knowledgeable, articulate, enthusiastic Park Rangers left us with respect for the next generation of national park guardians.
We took several pictures, but nothing quite conveys the depth and breadth of the canyonlands carved by the Colorado and Green Rivers. We shared a number of memories about earlier trips to Canyonlands where we went camping when Sander was a young child ... Willow Flat Campground ... canoeing on the Colorado River ... hiking down to the Confluence (of Colorado and Green Rivers) ... juniper berry "wars" ... special memories of this red rock country carved by amazing rivers.
The trickster Raven kept a close eye on us as we had our picnic lunch ...
And, a few more wildflowers ...
Even a cactus blooming ...
We also went to Upheaval Dome ... a fairly unusual spot where one theory postulates that a meteor struck the area and left a huge crater (another theory was that a salt dome under pressure exploded) ... whatever the cause, it is an interesting geologic feature ...
We're tucked into our Moab RV park (Canyonlands RV) awaiting a major storm that is headed our way ... we'll ride out the storm tomorrow and then look for a new location that keeps us out of snow and cold ...
2 comments:
Smart decision. It is in the thirties with snow and high winds. "Spring Time in the Rockies". Stay Warm.
I especially enjoyed this post because this is the Park we were heading to when we blew out our transmission pulling a tent trailer - and had to subsequently skip. I have always wondered how this terrain differed from all the other Parks in Utah and Co - and your photos were quite helpful it demonstrating why this National Park deserves its designation.
If you circle back to Dinasaur I will be equally interested.
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