Day 12 - Moab, Utah

Another hot day - it was 85degF by 9 a.m.! Headed west on the I-70, and driving into Utah, the first surprise was a sign saying: 'Eagles on Highway' - I didn't see any though. The second surprise was more snow-tipped mountains, this time the La Sal range - I thought I had left those behind in Colorado. I decided to take a shortcut through the ghost town of Cisco to reach 'The River Road' - as Highway 128 is known in Moab. A glorious road, twisting down through the canyon alongside the Colorado river again - pictures here.

Then I took a little trip to Canyonlands, first passing Wilson Arch, then going on to Needles Overlook - this is a little-known vantage point 22 miles from the main road, and not actually in Canyonlands national park itself but giving amazing views of it. I was the only person there for well over an hour as I wandered around the rocks with only birdsong and the occasional lizard for company - blissful! Apart from the moment when a vulture was hovering over my head trying to assess if I was easy meat, that is! You can see for miles across the canyons, and also get a view of the Colorado river about 1,600 feet down (vertigo-sufferers, don't go here) - and some lovely wildflowers too. Pictures here.

And finally to Arches National Park - saving the best till last! I thought Garden of the Gods in Colorado was magnificent, but this - this is sublime! I'll let the pictures tell the story for me - click here.

Tired and hot (100degF this afternoon!), but exhilarated by so much extraordinary beauty, I drove into the very cute town of Moab - pretty much Main Street and nothing else - to the very pleasant Silver Sage Inn for the night.