13 Jun I really should listen to Hedy more says Dave…
I ended the previous post with a … and a comment about a rough night of no sleep and a crazy day of driving the next. I will explain. As we drove towards the Manhattan Project National Historic Site and Taos on the previous days, these old eyes couldn’t help notice the BIG signs that indicated that trucks shouldn’t drive on this road called Route 4 that we passed to our left on our way exploring each day. Those kinds of signs don’t sit well with me. The night before we left Bandelier I asked Dave about the route he was thinking of taking early the next day because I felt unsettled about it. Keep in mind he is still feeling crappy and pretty sleep deprived, so anything to cut a little time down on the travel is welcomed. I mentioned my concerns about this Route 4 and he said he didn’t want to backtrack and add 45 minutes onto our day of driving.
Seven thirty in the morning we are on the road towards Monument Valley in Utah. Drove past the Valles Calderas National Preserve, which was quite beautiful. Over 89,000 acres that include a dormant volcano and lots of wildlife and just about any outdoor activity you can think of. The beautiful calm before the crazy. Words probably won’t do justice to what Dave, Hedy, Clifford, and CR drove up over and around. Perhaps a video clip from the Lucy and Desi Arnaz movie, The Long Long Trailer is a good representation.
Oh and the several reminder signs as we drove letting curious travelers know that these roads we were about to journey on were not recommended for trailers. Dave may have thought they meant tractor trailers. But I knew, a 37’ fifth wheel fell into that same category.
The only photo I got needing to peel my hands off my grip of Clifford
Google Map shot of our trip on Route 4
Courtesy of The Long Long Trailer movie
We were not far off the movie script, talking about the weather and books as we traversed up and over two mountains at an elevation of about 8000’, winding on roads with no guide rail, and not a place to turn around. So for 27 unimproved miles at a whopping speed of maybe 10 miles an hours, Dave expertly navigated us along this Route 4. We past by a few folk who where tent camping in the nooks and crannies of these mountains, gazing at us as if we were amazing or bonkers. And the herd of free range cattle we disturbed were quite surprised by our presence. Two hours additional later we exited Route 4 and made an emergency stop at McDonalds for some comfort fast food.
Our welcome down the mountain commitee
Many hours later we reached our next destination, Gouldings Monument Valley Campground right outside of Monument Valley Utah. When we originally booked this spot, they had only sites with no services. After the ride of a lifetime, I dared asked if any full hook up sites had opened up. It had, we paid. A bit of luxury to finish off this day was so appreciated. The view we had of Monument Valley was spectacular. Well worth the money spent. The campground prides itself on the fact that John Wayne filmed many movies at Monument Valley.
The next day we drove right across the way to Monument Valley Navaho Tribal Park. Started the 17 mile drive passing by amazing mesa’s, monuments, spires, and buttes with a wonderful coffee calm and rested spirit. With CR resting safely back at the campground, these unimproved flat roads were a joy to be on. There are many Navaho’s still living on this remote pristine land, often with no water or electricity. One young girl we spoke to said she loved living the way she does. People continue to wonderfully surprise us.
notabad view
stray pups
Ventured further down the road aways to Goosenecks State Park, with its meandering canyon carved by the San Juan River about a thousand feet below. It flows for about 6 miles, but only advances about a mile and a half because of all the twists and turns. Just beautiful!
Gooseneck State Park
Utah is amazing! Really! We left Goudlings and had a nice and uneventful ride to Moab, Utah. With several national parks nearby, a sweet brewery, and a charming town, we opted for a five night stay at Slickrock Campground, which made this girl very happy.
Up early and out to visit Arches National Park. Considering Dave is still on the mend, and I wasn’t feeling 100%, the three hikes we accomplished felt like a huge win for us. The landscape is otherworldly. These sandstone arches, and other rock formations did not cease to amaze us. A soak in the campground hot tub was a most excellent finish to this day.
A work day was in store the next, only after we made the decision to move from one site to another. A storm was projected with heavy winds (surprise surprise) so we did what only Dave in my world has perfected. We moved CR, down a row and away from an old tree with not so healthy limbs hanging on for dear life. It was a good decision. Did some local exploring of the BLM lands (Borough of Land Management) that are super cheap and quite numerous in the Moab area. Next time for sure! This area is a definitely on the must come back list.
Windy Canyonlands National Park
Shafer 4×4 Trail
Canyon Lands National Park was our destination the next day. Those winds we were concerned about found their way to this park. I’m sure it is another fabulous park to spend time out, however the wind was brutal and hanging outside wasn’t easy. We enjoyed a picnic lunch inside Clifford. Dave suggested maybe we try driving on the Shaffer Trail. This a 4×4 lovers off-road dream. I suggest you, the reader, look for a youtube video of others driving this 20 mile switch back and then understand why I said NO! I feel confident that Route 4 was good enough for me.
We did get to enjoy another day tolling around Moab before we set sail towards Nevada.
For Us, It’s Not Abad Day 🙂