More Moab, Canyonlands NP

*****catch-up post*****

July 4, 2013
Moab, UT
KOA campground

If you're keeping track, this post should go in between my "birthday" post and "moving day, Moab to Rock Springs", which have already been done.  After this one, I should be doing them in order again.  I've been told to just post the photos!  That in itself takes some editing and organizing.  And of course I want to include my entertaining narrative.  Anyway, here's more Moab beauty. 

Canyonlands National Park, north of Moab

 

To get the biggest view of Canyonlands, we drive to the top of the mesa. 

It's better than walking!

 

Really big rocks.  If you look close, G and the kids are in the mid/lower left of the shot.

How is this growing?  I don't see any soil.

There are several "caves" which were made by water draining from the rock.

 

These caves have teeth. 

 

Now this is an interesting formation.  They can't decide if was caused by an impact, volcano.

 or something else.

But we have to climb a way to see it.

Many trails are marked with small rock "cairns". 

 The landscape is so stark and vast, that it is easy to loose the trail.

And there it is.  It's an enormous salt dome inside of an even more enormous crater.

Wish these panoramas would print bigger.

The crater is nearly 3 miles wide.

Colorful lichens.

For some reason, the kids love to stand near the edge of steep cliffs.

 

Alex is thrilled to see a lizard.

The lizard does not feel the same way.

I'm likin' the lichens.

Cool carved steps.

Yellow wood.

Looks like they're on Mars.

Lizard #2.

Lavender lichens.

Upheaval Dome from a different angle.

Lots a lichens.

Nap time for Alex, as Anna desperately tries to find a signal.

Very dry earth.

 

Green River Overlook.

Looking down a couple thousand feet.

Looking down at hot feet.

Lizard #3.

 

If you want, you can hike around the rim.

Maybe next time.

 

 

Lizard #4.  Showed to tell us bye-bye. 

It's now about 1:00 p.m. and 100 degrees. Time to go inside.  It is July 4th, but there will be no celebrating.  The west is so dry this summer that campfires and fireworks are banned.  Zoe is very happy about that as loud noises really freak her out.  Happy 4th everybody!