August 19 - 23 Moab, Utah (near Arches National Park)

September 03, 2024  •  Leave a Comment

Portal RV Resort

Super nice campground! We normally don’t stay in the “resort” campgrounds however, in the middle of nowhere, there isn’t much choice. It was a nice change for us – and the views weren’t too bad either!!

 

IMG_2369IMG_2369

 

With the winding road and mountains up ahead, we knew we were in for a bit of a thrilling drive. The Mediterranean blue skies and white puffy clouds provided a stunning backdrop.

 

IMG_2267IMG_2267

IMG_2264IMG_2264 IMG_2266IMG_2266

Soon the shades of brown and red presented themselves off in the distance. We knew we were getting close – it wouldn’t be long before we saw that wonderland of natural beauty with over 2000 arches, and hundreds of other towering spires.

After getting all situated at our site, we took off for Arches National Park. We had been here several years ago with our besties Jon and Becky Harry, but just traveling through the area in our MINI Coopers.

 

Arches-0075 MKArches-0075 MK Arches-0124 MKArches-0124 MK Arches-0148 MKArches-0148 MK Arches-0336 MKArches-0336 MK Dead -0213 MKDead -0213 MK Dead -0266 MKDead -0266 MK Hike-0019 MKHike-0019 MK Hike-0068 MKHike-0068 MK Hike-0090 copyHike-0090 copy Hike-0222 MKHike-0222 MK Hike-0228 MKHike-0228 MK Hike-0252 MKHike-0252 MK Hike-0255 copyHike-0255 copy Hike-0282 MKHike-0282 MK Hike-0295 MKHike-0295 MK Hike-0315 MKHike-0315 MK Hike-0337 MKHike-0337 MK Hike-0423 MKHike-0423 MK Hike-0440 MKHike-0440 MK Hike-0451 MKHike-0451 MK Hike-0502 MKHike-0502 MK Hike-0567 MKHike-0567 MK Hike-0542 MKHike-0542 MK IMG_2360IMG_2360 IMG_2361IMG_2361 IMG_2362IMG_2362 IMG_2363IMG_2363 PXL_20240820_015555675PXL_20240820_015555675 PXL_20240820_014750297PXL_20240820_014750297 PXL_20240820_021704857PXL_20240820_021704857 PXL_20240820_015944413PXL_20240820_015944413 PXL_20240821_001011276PXL_20240821_001011276 PXL_20240821_165043651PXL_20240821_165043651 PXL_20240821_170454070.MP-EDITPXL_20240821_170454070.MP-EDIT PXL_20240821_173124079PXL_20240821_173124079 PXL_20240821_180132464.MPPXL_20240821_180132464.MP PXL_20240821_182020964.MPPXL_20240821_182020964.MP PXL_20240821_182422650.MPPXL_20240821_182422650.MP PXL_20240822_011134789PXL_20240822_011134789

 

PXL_20240822_172642382PXL_20240822_172642382

 

Mother Nature is simply just…...something…. else! The “WOW” factor is off the scale in Arches…...Since it was late in the day/evening, we stopped for a few pictures of the moonlight on the mountain formations, the stars started to twinkle…. then off to get some needed sleep – LOL!!

 

Peek a Moon 5X7Peek a Moon 5X7

PXL_20240820_032409911.NIGHTPXL_20240820_032409911.NIGHT PXL_20240820_032710025.NIGHTPXL_20240820_032710025.NIGHT PXL_20240820_034214465.NIGHTPXL_20240820_034214465.NIGHT PXL_20240820_034327346.NIGHTPXL_20240820_034327346.NIGHT PXL_20240820_034544573.NIGHTPXL_20240820_034544573.NIGHT PXL_20240820_034636586.NIGHTPXL_20240820_034636586.NIGHT PXL_20240820_034650902.NIGHTPXL_20240820_034650902.NIGHT

 

Dead Horse Point State Park was an easy drive from Moab, so we decided to poke around 2000 feet above the Colorado River. Legend has it that cowboys once corralled wild mustangs on a narrow point here, giving the park its unique name. Stunning State Park!!! Dramatic views of the river and the scenery below…...

 

Dead -0038 MKDead -0038 MK

PXL_20240820_225746494PXL_20240820_225746494

Arches is another National Park that requires a timed vehicle entry. We managed to snag several so we spent two days and evenings trekking the many miles of breathtaking landscape and hiking to many of the natural arches. Wowzer………………

We were hoping to see some big furry four-legged creatures, but sadly, we only saw ravens and lizards.

 

Hike-0018 MKHike-0018 MK Rocks-0285 MKRocks-0285 MK

 

Being as we visited during the “monsoon” season, every evening the storms rolled in and out, giving us the most fantastic lightning shows we’ve seen in a LONG time!!!

 

Dead -0158 MKDead -0158 MK Dead -0603 MKDead -0603 MK Dead -0657 MKDead -0657 MK Dead -0691 MKDead -0691 MK Dead -0696 MKDead -0696 MK Dead -0709 MKDead -0709 MK Dead -0747 MKDead -0747 MK Dead -0748 MKDead -0748 MK Dead -0819 MKDead -0819 MK Dead -0799 MKDead -0799 MK

 

One of Mike’s bucket list items was to drive an off-road vehicle (Razar). We booked a guided tour with one of the local places for an evening sunset drive. Okay…. let’s just say that on flat ground, Donna was fine. Once we started UP and DOWN the STEEP terrain, not so much! It scared the crap out of both of us…. We stopped on a crest to see the beautiful sunset. Shortly after, the monsoon rains blew in and we got soaked – LOL!! Mike had a great time, however, Donna did not………...We can say we did it, but not sure Mike would do it again either!!

 

IMG_2349IMG_2349 IMG_2348IMG_2348 IMG_2353IMG_2353 IMG_2350IMG_2350 IMG_2351IMG_2351 IMG_2355IMG_2355 PXL_20240822_010052574PXL_20240822_010052574 PXL_20240822_014854036.MPPXL_20240822_014854036.MP PXL_20240822_014705889.MPPXL_20240822_014705889.MP PXL_20240822_014750967PXL_20240822_014750967 IMG_2342IMG_2342 IMG_2343IMG_2343 IMG_2347IMG_2347

 

PXL_20240822_020243545PXL_20240822_020243545

Look at the center of this picture is a dinosaur footprint fossil.  

PXL_20240822_003016016PXL_20240822_003016016

 

If you’ve not been to Arches, it should be on your bucket list……….

 


Comments

No comments posted.
Loading...