Scenic Byway

 

While hiking in Arches (more than a year ago, can you imagine?), we had this fantastic view from one of the trails to the area beyond Arches where the fog was still hanging out for a bit longer. After we had left Arches it was still light and we decided to take UT 128 that takes you in that area. We had remembered it from several years back and were eager to drive along here again.

It is marked as a scenic byway which is quite an understatement. It is breathtaking and there was almost no trafiic.

The road follows the Colorado River which has cut deep into the rock. There are mesas and some buttes with steep cliffs and the incredible red rock that gives so much character to this landscape.

Every now and then we stopped by the side of the road just to marvel at this amazing scenery. I also wanted to look at the plants that I found quite fascinating (and I still don't know what they are).

The reflections of the rock in the Colorado were so beautiful.

How can you not feel small and insignificant in the presence of these giants?

It was getting late and the light ws waning, so we decided to turn around at this point and drive back to Moab. I think this was the exact same spot where we turned around several years earlier.

With the sun in the West, the rocks had lost much of their light and color. It was a very different experience driving back, but still exciting. I don't think we will ever tire of this desert landscape - it is written across my heart.

Back in Moab we drove directly to the Moab Diner for a delicious dinner. After a long day of hiking we were tired and hungry. Here is my contribution to Nicole's Friday Face Off - quite disheveled.