Sep 19a - Monument Valley

We have traveled US 163 beside Monument Valley several times. This, however, was our first time to venture into the park, pay the fee, and take the dirt trail in and among the monuments. I am reminded of earlier proclamations regarding how easily I can become overwhelmed by too much of the same kind of scenery. This, then, is yet another example. Each massive, monumental, masterpiece is enthralling. This many all clustered together makes it almost impossible to take in. Perhaps, I'm just nuts that way. There is not one that is so different and distinct that I can recall it as I write this text; and...the visit was only three (3) days ago. I'm sure I'll be reminded as I load each image, but for now...they just run together. That's another way of saying that Monument Valley is another Grand Canyon.  By that, I mean, 2-3 times per lifetime is enough for me.

I might add that September is the new August when it comes to travel. Perhaps, it's old codgers like us that have no jobs to return to or kids to put into school, but the vacation period in the good ole US of A certainly extends into September. And, I might add, the conversion of every vehicle known to mankind into some kind of "SUV" means that no road is untraveled.

Nuff said...here's some photographic proof that we were where we said we were.

As if it required extra drama...

...the silhouette of Monument Valley from US 163 is unmistakable!

Still unclear what natural phenomenon created this scene...rain? wind? hmmm? Cool, though!

After paying our park fee...the monumental journey begins...

...sorry, I don't know the names of these massive formations.

While each is uniquely special...

...the similarity, perhaps in size...

...begins to make each one...

...just a touch to similar to the one(s) before

Holy cow! I'm feeling like some kind of critic of nature here. Please forgive me...hey...I think they're all amazing! Here's another:

This is the Beatles': "The Long and Winding Road"

I think that may be the inspiration for the Statue of Liberty there in the middle

While we traveled from the Moki Dugway to Mexican Hat and on to Monument Valley, we continued to encounter this strange militaristic vehicle along the way. We became fascinated and began to formulate all kinds of crazy scenarios and uses for such a strange, vehicular "morphodite." After multiple observations we postulated the following:

1. It, and we presume its occupants, are visiting here from Austria (license plate)
2. It is a Mercedes (insignia)
3. It must be hugely expensive (size...and it's a Mercedes)
4. It must have cost a fortune to ship it over here (bulk)
5. The owners must be taking one helluva road trip (would you ship this thing somewhere if you weren't?)
6. The owners apparently don't feel we offer the kind of off-road vehicles to suit their tastes
7. It is totally ridiculous "Overkill!"
8. I kinda like it...

Easy, Jethro...we don't know what that is either.

East bound and down, loaded up and trucking' - we're gonna do what they say can't be done...

got a long way to go and a short time to get there, east bound...watch ole Bandit run!

Next three (3) days and four (4) nights in Sedona...stay tuned!

Sep 19 - 3M's Moki Dugway - Mexican Hat - Monument Valley

I just love the smell of Moki in the morning...Moki Dugway, that is...

...we first rode this enchanting stretch of unmanicured, wanky, winding wilderness byway back in 2012. The difference then was we were on a BMW RT (motorcycle). This time it was Jethro's "time to shine..." and shine he did. It was one of those perfect, photographically cloudy days.

You receive plenty of warnings...

...along the way...

...and then it begins.

Jethro, stopping to take in the vista

The views are breathtaking!

The landscape is picturesque!

...the elevation drop, spectacular

Just relax and enjoy!

That windy road below is where we're headed...Mexican Hat

Perhaps, one of the most appropriately named natural rock formations we've encountered is Mexican Hat. Here's why...

The "Man"

Jethro is introduced to the "Man"

The "Man" proclaims that Jethro is "one fine hombre" and wishes him safe travels.

Where the rubber meets the road. Jethro likes nothing better than rocks and gravel between his treads.

Monument Valley blog continued - CLICK HERE - don't miss it!

Sep 18 - Blanding, UT via Rim Rocker

Jethro's been having' a field day since we posted last! He's had more fun than a mosquito in a nudist colony. We're in Sedona as I write, but first I gotta share how we got here. Our original route was a bit circuitous and took us along a scenic journey past many of our favorite spots like Gateway, CO and beautiful highway 141. However, instead of following it down to Naturita, as originally planned, we took a shot cut up to the top of one of those spectacular cliffs alongside Hwy 141. The route has an official name, RimRocker Trail, and actually runs from Montrose, CO to Moab, UT. We did much of the Colorado portion (east of 141) last year. It's fantastic fun!

Black portion marks the Rim Rocker shortcut.

We find the twisty trails up the sides of the rocky escarpments to be the exhilarating part. Once up top, at least in this area, the trail can be just one more bumpy, rocky road. Here's some examples:

Going up...

...going around...

...view of Hwy 141 from the top

Where are the signs: "Road Construction?"

...and coming down

Back on the highway, we were fortunate to encounter a Bighorn ram and his harem.

Guess what's in the bush and guess what's on his mind?

Seven "ladies in waiting."

...blog continued: The Three M's - Moki Dugway - Mexican Hat - Monument Valley

Click Here

Sep 17 - Visiting a Nearby Canyon

After settling into our new digs in Crawford, I think the verdict's in...no long term stays in Crawford. Lotsa reasons for the decision, but mostly it's just a bit too remote. We spent most of the morning riding between Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia just looking for places we might eat or buy groceries. Pretty limited, I must say.

So...next we headed out to see some of the nearby countryside. Every place is different; every place has its charm; every place has its drawbacks. But, by following a path named Black Canyon Rd., we came in the back door to...well...Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. We've made many a trek along Hwy 50 which parallels the Gunnison River and its gorgeous canyon vistas. But, we'd never actually visited the "Park" that is 15+/- miles east of Hwy 50 and Hwy 92 which leads into Crawford and Paonia. Black Canyon Rd. quickly becomes gravel making its way to North Rim Rd. North Rim is not the official "park road," but we felt obliged to partake of its scenic sights and wonders, nonetheless.

Here's what it looks like riding along Black Canyon Rd.

I love the flaxen grasses that grow alongside the road; it's reminiscent of Big Bend...

...and the yellow Brittle Bush that borders just the roadside.

Hey...I understand that I'm a bit strange, but my mind goes crazy trying to figure out why the brown grass and the yellow Bristle Bush line this remote roadway so precisely? Were they planted there...hmmm? Or do they just respond well to carbon monoxide? If the highway department or park service planted them...then...wow...thank you! However, is all of that time spent planting the reason we now have to spend so much time repairing every road and highway in the nation? Nevermind...I can't go there right now.

I suppose the Black Canyon of the Gunnison holds a similar fantasy or curiosity for some folks as the Grand Canyon. For some, it's a must see, explore, visit and revisit as often as possible. The beauty and grandeur is just overwhelming. Here's a couple of examples:

Truly striking as you approach a lookout point and gaze down the canyon.

Breathtaking in scope and grandeur.

The area is replete with Gunnison Gals...also quite striking! Hard to choose where to look.

That said, I find it not unlike many other natural wonders including, but not limited to: Blue Ridge Parkway, Pacific Coast Hwy 1, British Columbia, etc., in that after a while it is as though someone is going before you and replacing the upcoming landscape with the same scenes you've just traversed. Does that make any sense? It's not intended, in any way, to detract from the magnificence or the beauty and wonder. Rather it's a pledge of allegiance to the mantra, "Variety is the spice of life." If you disagree, that's fine!

I also find it quite a worthy challenge in an area such as this to take photographs with diversity. Pretty soon, every breathtaking vista becomes just one more digital image. However, I'm always up for a good challenge, so here, then, are a few of my efforts to break the photo-monotony.

First, let's try come good ole contrast.

This is balanced rock...according to the sign.

Next...let's get a bit more dramatic with the lighting...

This canyon really ROCKS! (pardon the pun)

Looks like the engineers quit halfway through their construction project. Quite striking.

What lurks beneath???

Then...there's always plenty of color to be found in nature...

Turn up the exposure and these rocks have plenty personality!

The guys have been planting the flowers along the roadside again.

Nothing to see here...just rocks folks...nothing to see here.

Anyone up for some rock climbing...geesh! And, a river runs through it.

Someone left their rocks laying up here.

Well...I hope you didn't get too bored. Like I say, it's hard to find enough ways to fully express and expose your inner canyon, but...hey...it's worth a good ole' college try every now and again.

Jethro says to tell everyone, "HOWDY!" He solicited some envious gawkers along the trail.

Couldn't resist snapping this guy on the way home. Reminded me of the three little pigs and the house made of sticks. Just sayin'

Tomorrow...Rimrocker...yee-ha!