Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park, Angel Fire, NM

With our nation celebrating Memorial Day this past week, a friend asked if we had plans for this special day. I thought back to Memorial Days when I was a child.

Great Sand Dunes NP

Great Sand Dunes is another National Park “off the beaten path”.  Located in south-central Colorado, away from major populations, it is definitely a destination spot (i.e., you have to want to go there). 

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Our main reason for a week-long stopover in Montrose, CO, was its proximity to the Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP.  This park was on part of our plans for travel this summer, even before the article about it in Sunset Magazine April’s edition. 

Ouray, Colorado

Elevation of 7792 ft, downtown a “designated historic district”, promoted as “the Switzerland of America”, located on a scenic byway north of Silverton – these were the informational tidbits I had before our daytrip to Ouray.  Gary knew a bit more due to his readings of the Box Canyon Blog.  I really did not know what to expect.

Grand Junction, CO

Leaving Moab, we traveled NE into Colorado and spent a week in the Grand Junction area.  The town name was based on the junction of the Grand River and Gunnison River (the Grand was later renamed the Colorado River).

Canyonlands National Park

Canyonlands National Park

While in Moab, we visited both Arches and Canyonlands NPs. 

Arches NP – Park Avenue Trail Hike

On our last day in the Moab area, the weather cleared in the afternoon and we headed back to Arches NP for a final hike. This time we wanted to try the 2 mile (round trip) Park Avenue Trail. 

The Windows Section -- Arches National Park, Utah

This post shows an early morning visit to the Windows Section of Arches National Park.  The Windows Section includes broad vistas of the landscape as well as three prominent arch structures -- North Window, Turret Arch, and Double Arch.  One parking lot about 3 miles off the main roadway serves the three features.  The area covered about 3 miles of hiking.

Devils Gardens Hike -- Arches National Park, Utah

Most of our time, so far, has been spent in Arches NP, which is much closer to our RV park, and quite accessible. Canyonlands will be our focus for the latter part of our stay.  

Moab and the Colorado River Canyon, UT

Driving north from Monument Valley, we passed more interesting geologic formations – one definitely looked like a Mexican sombrero, and the local community was named Mexican Hat.

Monument Valley

As the winter rains disappeared and the temps crept into the 90s, we packed the RV and hit the road for our summer getaway.