39.) A Substantial "Thing".....Horseshoe Inspiration......Wiley Coyotes...

    I’m not as sore as I thought I’d be the next morning and I feel myself settling into a groove.  Really getting the feel for the trip now.  I’ve been onthe road for just over 2 months and it feels….legitimate….like it wasn't just a whim, it’s an actual substantial 'Thing'.  The thought excites me, then I realize I’ve been at the Grand Canyon for nearly two weeks now, exploring the ridges and valleys; and now I’m free to go somewhere completely new, somewhere different, and get that experienceall over again.  With this thought I head out of the park, pass a sign that says “Moran Point”, consider taking a picture of myself pointing underneath it, giggle, and continue on my way.  Right before the park’s exit is a stop called The Watch Tower. It’s one last tourist trap to suck you in right before you escape. It’s got a little gift shop and more killer views. ProTip: The winding staircase is a poor choice the day after a hike out, but the view is worth it.  I snap a few pictures, take one last deep breath while staring into one of the natural wonders of the world and shake my head in beautiful disbelief….Goodbye…..and Thanks…

    Later that night after driving for a bit I find a Denny’s where I maul a burger, fries and vanilla shake like a jungle animal. It tastes like magic and is cheap as shit. I find an out of the way spot in the desert near the town of Page and crash for the night. 

In the morning I discover Horseshoe Bend isn’t terribly far my current location.  Every time I’ve seen a picture of that place it’s always caught my eye;  like “man, I’d like to see that,”  so off I go and once again nature does not disappoint.  Horseshoe Bend is the famous 270 degree meander in the Colorado River. I’m sure you've seen it, maybe in an inspirational calendar at your office?

  I’m glad I stopped. Not only is the view unspeakable, I see people on the beaches down inside the canyon, camping, boating, water skiing. If feels like summer has officially arrived. I don’t think about it until now but last night I was able to sleep in a t-shirt and shorts. It's preferable to nights spent cowering in my sleeping bag. Around lunchtime I find a sports bar to watch the Hawks win and then drive for the rest of the day. Just after dark I hit the Utah state line.  New state, and a time change…it’s all very exciting, and I'm flying high, even before I even mention Arches National Park.  

Arches has been right near the top of places I wanted to visit for a long time.  I’ve never experienced anything like it.  Upon entering the park, (Free again for me again, thanks to my season pass! $80 bucks! Still the best investment of the trip.) one of the first little parking areas I come to is actually the trailhead for the Park Avenue Trial.  Named as such for the massive sandstone fins, that loom like New York skyscrapers.  Taking in the red rock fins, against a cartoon blue sky, conjures thoughts of the roadrunner leading Wile E. Coyote thru a fake tunnel. It’s 2 miles round trip and when I’m through I head into downtown Moab, UT.

 

My first day in a new place I like to get the lay of the land.  So I wander the main strip for a while and it’s easy to see Moab is another little desert town built on tourism.  Jeep rentals, dune buggies, mountain bikes, they’re peppered all over town.  But it’s a tried and true fact if I've ever heard one that tourism is always closely followed by alcohol. And I see a few dive bars that look promising. Less snooty/yuppie than Sedona, and they have PBR on tap for $2.50. I’ll do just fine here.