The two RV Gypsies at Canyonlands National Park August 19, 2012

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
A famous lookout point on the way to Canyonlands National Park

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 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.

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

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 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.






















Karen Duquette at Mesa Arch Overlook






Tracks in the Canyon





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.











Whale Rock