GET-YUR-MOTOR RUNNIN' ROAD TRIP
Astoria - Santa Fe - Death Valley - Astoria
October 20, 2013 (Day 6 of 44)
American Fork, UT to Farmington, NM
Miles Today: 391 / Trip Miles: 1,341
Today’s route took me through three states: Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
From the Salt Lake City, Utah area I took U.S. Highway 6. This scenic highway travels through a narrow canyon, and eventually opens up into a broad valley. I had to come to an abrupt stop from 80 mph to avoid shearing a flock of sheep crossing the roadway – no sheepherders were in sight. The scenic rating for the route from American Fork, Utah to the Moab, Utah area is B-.
From the Salt Lake City, Utah area I took U.S. Highway 6. This scenic highway travels through a narrow canyon, and eventually opens up into a broad valley. I had to come to an abrupt stop from 80 mph to avoid shearing a flock of sheep crossing the roadway – no sheepherders were in sight. The scenic rating for the route from American Fork, Utah to the Moab, Utah area is B-.
The Moab area is home to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to spend time here. After Moab, the terrain, accented by striated and pitted sandstone rock formations, along U.S. Highway 191 is beautiful (A- rating). The tacky Hole-N-The-Rock tourist attraction (“Hole N The Rock” and an arrow are painted in white on the massive sandstone formation) is offset by the natural beauty of Wilson Arch. Threatening cloud formations made the trip even more beautiful.
Temperatures were very comfortable (high 50s to low 60s). The last time I was in this area was during summer, and it was hot as hell.
South of Cortez, Colorado I was forced to take a ten mile detour on dirt roads. It was night, along an unmarked route, very dark and dusty. I was happy to follow an 18-wheeler whose driver knew the way.
I drove by Shiprock, a small mountain, that rises abruptly (1,600 feet) from the surrounding high-desert plain, on the Navajo Nation. Its peak has an elevation of 7,200 feet. I could just see Shiprock’s silhouette in the nighttime light. A return visit to spend more time here is a must.
I drove by Shiprock, a small mountain, that rises abruptly (1,600 feet) from the surrounding high-desert plain, on the Navajo Nation. Its peak has an elevation of 7,200 feet. I could just see Shiprock’s silhouette in the nighttime light. A return visit to spend more time here is a must.
When I arrived in Farmington, it was late, I was tired and hungry, plus I got lost trying to find the hotel. Luckily, one of my favorite regional fast food eateries, Blake’s Lota Burger, was conveniently located next to the hotel. Lota Burger serves good burgers and delicious chili.
Next Stop: Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Next Stop: Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Photos
(Click on Photo For Larger Image)
Wilson Arch
Wilson Arch (elevation 6,200 feet) is a sandstone arch along U.S. Highway 191, located south of Moab, Utah. It has a span of 91 feet and height of 46 feet. The arch was named after Joe Wilson, a local pioneer who had a cabin nearby in Dry Valley. Arches such as this one are created over time as superficial cracks, joints, and folds of the sandstone layers are saturated with water. Ice forms in the fissures, melts under extreme desert heat, and then winds clean out the loose particles. [flickr.com]
Location: Blake’s Lota Burger in Farmington, New Mexico.
2 comments:
Love the arch and clouds, bu not so much the sullen guy. : )
Thanks for explaining how formations like Wilson Arch happen! I've always wondered about that. Now you have me wanting chili.
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