Way out, in the Southwest corner of Colorado, I looked out into the Pueblo archaeological sites and imagined myself as a breechcloth-wearing Puebloan of the 13th and 14th centuries. Blue skies and nothing but valleys full of sandstone plateaus, and ancestral remains. I can see it now.. bare feet, an incredible tan, pretty much nude, running amok in the wild.. wait, maybe I’m imagining the beach again..
Oops. No. It’s the Utah National Parks!
“Adam, you have lost your mind.”
This time around, I happen to be leaving Colorado, so on my way out I got to visit one remarkable place…
Mesa Verde National Park
I had been driving for over 45 minutes since I entered Mesa Verde National Park. The first of the National Parks for this road trip. Nothing but huge fields of remains from the once booming juniper woodlands (a huge wildfire about two decades ago wiped out the forests, and they continue to show no signs of regrowth). Kind of eerie.
But I kept on driving. Made it all the way out to the cliff canyon, where I took off on foot.
Rewind to that paragraph you first read.
Right before my eyes, the largest cliff dwelling in North America, Cliff Palace. This was it. The real deal. There were no relocations, refurbishments, or replicas. I was looking at the original homes of natives from the 1200s! I couldn’t help but to just stare.
This place is a historians playground, and a daydreamers picture book.
Moving on..
127 Hours. Ya know, the movie where the guy has to cut off his own arm because he is trapped between a rock and a hard place. Literally. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend grabbing the popcorn and peanut M&Ms and treating yourself.
“Popcorn with peanut M&Ms?! Yup, you have officially lost your marbles.”
Listen.. Don’t knock it til you try it.
That true story took place right where I was looking. Aron Ralston (the adventurer that the movie is based on), trapped in this wilderness. Some slot canyon out there, stuck in a massive landscape that only rarely experiences human travel.
Canyonlands National Park
Thankfully I didn’t explore too deep into the wild. I like having my arms. But regardless, Canyonlands National Park did not disappoint. Although I only barely scratched the surface of what there is to see and do in this park, I can tell you it is impressive.
Vistas, canyons, arches, buttes, mesas, dirt roads, hiking trails.. there is plenty of awesome natural landscape to see. Definitely somewhere I could spend weeks exploring the backcountry, and getting down into the thick of it.
A favorite spot of mine was the Green River. Something about looking out into endless miles of red rock and desert-like conditions, and seeing a green-lined river running through the middle of the deepest canyon makes you stop and just get lost in thought for a minute. It was almost like an extended oasis that runs through this geologic rock layer cake.
And, of course, one of the most recognizable photos in all of the Utah National Parks national park system…
You have probably seen this arch before. Be it on a postcard, social media account, or even as a screensaver on your computer. Even though it has been well overdone, you’ve got to go and see one of the most popular destinations in the national parks if you get the chance – Mesa Arch.
I must say, aside from being littered with visitors, the Utah National Parks are just dang cool.
A big ol’ arch right on the edge of a 1000+ foot cliff that drops into the canyons below. Less than a fifteen minute walk round-trip with a pretty spectacular view; No wonder why everyone and their brother has a photo of this national park spotlight.
Just on the other side of Moab, I found myself exploring through another desolate, vast landscape of red rocks and inexplainable rock formations.
Arches National Park
Ever want the feeling that you are on some other planet? If so, Arches National Park is the place to be. More than 2,000, yes that is correct; not one, but two! thousand arches scattered across this 120 square mile (roughly) park. Most of which are not visible just by driving through, so get them feet ready.
For those that don’t know, Arches NP being about 120 sq mi, makes it one of the smaller national parks out there. Making the amount of arches packed into this place even more remarkable.
Another well-recognized image in the national park system: Balanced Rock. This 130(ish) foot tall natural wonder left me amazed, and partly confused. How is nature capable of such incredible things?
This place is almost impossible to put into words. Endless spires, balanced rocks, massive monoliths, countless arches, towering fins, and tafoni riddled cliffsides made of red rocks.. Call up Buzz Aldrin and give this place a look. I promise it is even more surreal in human than what a photo portrays.
If this part of Utah wasn’t saturated with opportunities for outdoor recreation, I don’t think I would be as much of a fan. Aside from being a stone’s throw away from 2 incredible parks, you’re basically right in the middle of a barren desert. Well, and you’ve got Moab to relax for a moment, and have yourself some tasty treats.
But once you get out of the cities, it is a place like I have never imagined. Moab basically acts like the hub for these Utah National Parks. Different from the rest of the country, I will definitely remember my first continental space travels.
“Uh… Beehive State?”
Oh, if you are still curious about the title of this post (the Beehive State), it supposedly commemorates the industry of the people of Utah. The beehive relates to industry and the pioneer virtues of thirst and perseverance.
When is the last time you did something for the first time?
Darius Rucker
Get out. See. Do. #Beyourstory
Cheers!
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