The Two RV Gypsies: Full-Time RVers
at Canyonlands National Park
August 19, 2012

USA map showing location of Utahmap of Canyonlands

Canyonlands National Park is located in southeastern Utah near the town of Moab and preserves a colorful landscape eroded into countless canyons, mesas and buttes by the Colorado River, the Green River, and their respective tributaries. The park is divided into four districts: the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers themselves. While these areas share a primitive desert atmosphere, each retains its own character. Two large river canyons are carved into the Colorado Plateau by the Colorado River and Green River. Author Edward Abbey, a frequent visitor, described the Canyonlands as "the most weird, wonderful, magical place on earth? There is nothing else like it anywhere."

Above quote from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Below: A famous lookout point on the way to Canyonlands National Park

sign: Monitor and Merrimac Viewpoint

Below is an excellent view of the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes. These prominent buttes tower 600 feet above their Navajo Sandstone base. They can be seen from many points along the highway.

the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes

Below: The Monitor and Merrimac Buttes were named after the Civil War ironclad ships of the same names. The old ships bear a striking resemblance to these two buttes. The Merrimac (the large rock on the left) was the Confederate ship, called the Virginia by the southern forces. The Monitor (on the right) was the Union ship sent to destroy the Merrimac. The resulting sea battle changed Maritime warfare forever.

the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes
the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes

Below: Long after both ships sank to the sea bottom, their rock counterparts will forever remain locked in perpetual battle.

the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes
the Monitor and Merrimac Buttes

Below: The view below reveals an area of outstanding natural beauty. To the southeast, the LaSal Mountains reach to heights exceeding 12,000 feet in elevation. The mountains are flanked by broad mesas, that break off to reveal the red rock country below.

Moab and Spanish Valley lie at the base of the LaSals, in the valley created by the Moab Fault. Also running through this fault is the Colorado River. The river's brown or red color attests to the ongoing erosion. This color is due to sediments from the surrounding rocks sloughing off into the river. These sediments are then transported by the river to downstream locations.

the LaSal Mountains
the LaSal Mountains
sign: Canyonlands
sign: Canyonlands National Park Visitor Center

Below: The two RV Gypsies took a short walk across the street from the Island in the Sky Visitor Center and were met with a very beautiful view.

Green River Lookout
Green River Lookout
Green River Lookout
Karen Duquette at Green River Lookout in Canyonlands
Karen Duquette at Green River Lookout in Canyonlands
Shafer Canyon Viewpoint at Canyonlands
sign: Shafer Canyon Viewpoint
sign at The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands
sign at The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands
sign at The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
people way down on the trail
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
view from The Neck Overlook at Canyonlands National Park
sign: Mesa Arch Trail
Mesa Arch Trail at Canyonlands National Park
dead tree
Mesa Arch Trail at Canyonlands National Park
Mesa Arc
Mesa Arch Trail at Canyonlands National Park
Mesa Arch
Mesa Arch Trail
Mesa Arch overlook
Mesa Arch overlook
Mesa Arch overlook
Mesa Arch overlook
Mesa Arch overlook

Below: Karen Duquette at Mesa Arch Overlook

Karen Duquette at Mesa Arch overlook
Karen Duquette at Mesa Arch Overlook
Mesa Arch Overlook
Mesa Arch Overlook
Mesa Arch Overlook
Mesa Arch Overlook
Karen Duquette at Mesa Arch
Buck Canyon Overlook sign
Buck Canyon Overlook
Buck Canyon Overlook

Below: Tracks in the Canyon

sign about Buck Canyon Overlook
Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Karen Duquette at Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Karen Duquette at Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands
Karen Duquette at Buck Canyon Overlook at Canyonlands

Below: ALL the overlooks at Canyonlands National Park were short, easy walks. There are also hiking trails, but the two RV Gypsies enjoyed the view from the overlooks.

sign: Green river Overlook
Lee Duquette at Green River Overlook at Canyonlamds
Lee Duquette at Green River Overlook at Canyonlamds
Karen Duquette at Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
Green River Overlook
lone flowers
lone flowers

Below: The Whale Rock

whale rock

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