Wednesday, August 5, 2009

View of bluffs around Castle Valley from foothills of LaSal Mts.

On the Colorado River

Align Center

Arch along the river


On the Colorado



Slick Rock CG, Moab, UT: Up early this morning since we signed up for an 8:00 jet boat trip. Had to set the alarm for 6:30 to get up in time. At the dock by 7:45 and left by 8:00. We went down river about 30 miles. What a fun trip! And we had the best guide—Rory. Stopped and hiked up to see some petrified wood. Pretty interesting. This jet boat really moved too. Stopped after going into Canyonlands NP via the river and had some snacks and drinks. When we started it was a little cloudy and very cool when he got going on the river. I was so glad I had my sweatshirt with me. On the way back the sun came out and it warmed up considerably. After this great boat trip we drove back up the river road running up river and into the Castle Valley again and had lunch at the Sorrel River Ranch Resort. A great place! We had lunch out on the deck right on the Colorado River. Watched all the river rafters going by. The lower deck had some couches and chairs where you could sit and read or just watch the river. Our waitress was from the Phillipeans. She lives here at this resort for 6 months and then spends the winter at Park City. Not bad. Left there and decided to take the loop road back to Moab. Climbed up out of the valley into the foothills of the La Sal Mountains. Way up in the foothills. It was 98 in the valley and 80 up high. Beautiful up there with lots of trees—mostly aspens. The road was paved but in places it was right on the edge of a shear drop. Yikes! On our way down we crossed a stream that cut a narrow but deep gorge into the mountain. A beautiful drive. Back into Moab it was 99—even though it was cloudy. A really fun day!