Twenty miles back on route 191, we began our upward journey to Canyonlands. The park is 527 square miles and much of it has yet to explored. It is one of the most primitive, challenging and desolate tracks of land in the US. Our trip began well with level land on either side of the road, but inevitably, the twisting turns and steep drop offs appeared. Steve got more nervous and intense the farther we drove.
At the Island in the Sky visitor center, we had a dazzling view of Shafer Canyon with the La Sal Mountains in the distance. We were fortunate it was a clear day, because so much sediment blows into the valleys that dust often obscures the view. Far below, a winding dirt road twisted down from the heights into the depths. We watched as a vehicle crept downward.
The Green and Colorado rivers split the park into three segments: Island in the Sky in the north, the Maze in the southwest and The Needles in the southeast. We met a couple who were leaving to spend five days in canoes on the Green River. They have to take everything in with them and carry all waste out.
One of the things that has impressed me is how very adventurous and daring people are. Yes, there are plenty of couch potatoes in the country, but out here we have seen and met incredibly
courageous people. The bicyclists alone are incredible. Every peak we reach, there are cyclists there. In Moab, there are a half dozen adventure centers that sell all kinds of extreme adventures from sky diving over the canyons, white water rafting, hummer tours up the cliffs, zip lining, ATVs. People are looking for excitement! All of them make our puny little trips seem very mild.
I got great photos of the broad canyons and distant mountains.
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