Day 4
Day 4 took us in a loop from Grand Junction to Moab, UT and back. This loop had by far the most varied scenery of the cruise. What you see literally changes every 5 minutes. The loop led into the beginnings of the formations that make up Arches National Park but, unlike the park, you’re immersed in the rock formations for almost 200 miles.
Coming south from Grand Junction you begin to see the rock formations that will be part of everything you see for quite a while
Just a precursor of what’s up ahead.
The start of the river course and valley that we’d be following.
The valley is seldom straight for very long and starts out with sweepers.
Then tightens up a bit.
Then opens back up.
At Gateway we stopped for a stretch and to get ready for the next phase which would take us into the butte type of scenery.
Lineup at the Gateway Auto Museum.
The break provides a chance to touch base with our fellow travelers.
A small panorama of the views around the museum.
From the museum the countryside opens up a bit.
But not that much for a while.
Pretty soon the walls of the valley really start to rise.
And then they get closer.
And closer.
And closer.
Then they try to get into the seat with you.
Then they let you have your personal space back for a little bit.
And then start looking over your shoulder again.
Then a dash across the flats.
We pass the Hole in the Wall which is a store and museum with a 5000 square foot home carved into the rock.
Just to give an idea of scale, if you look at the left hand side of the photo you’ll see a lizard sculpture on the face of the rock.
Here’s a closer look at the lizard next to a motor home to give you an idea of it’s size.
After a short fuel and bathroom break in Moab we got into the final leg of the loop which took us through some more striking landscape.
Again we varied from close in to wide open to close in again.
And we finally go spit out into the flatter terrain that would lead us back to Grand Junction.
The videos:
I’ve broken them into 3 parts for this portion of the cruise. The only problem is the schmuck who was operation the video camera forgot to turn on the microphone until about a third of the way through the third video. That being said just plug in you favorite cd or Ipod music for the first 2 1/3 sections. The last part you can listen to exhaust and mechanical noises from behind my driver’s seat.
Video 1 from Grand Junction to Gateway.
CC 2012 Day 4a - YouTube
Video 2 from Gateway into Utah and on towards Moab.
CC 2012 Day 4b - YouTube
Video 3 Coming into Moab and back to Grand Junction (sound comes on about 1/3 of the way through)
CC 2012 Day 4c - YouTube