Two National Parks in one day? Probably not a good idea.

Driving to Moab from the overnight Willie Nelson truck stop, it was an iMax sky of thunderstorms and rain showers in every direction. Mostly we dodged the rain. Just outside of Moab, whew, thinking we had escaped the worst of it, we got slapped by the tail end of the storm that had been following our route to the west. Hail! The size of peas! Driving rain! Windy! Sudden, and loud! Wish I had the voice recorder going, but was too startled and distracted to think that fast, and it was probably wise to keep two hands on the wheel at that point Fortunately no harm done, and it didn't last long.

Relieved, we pulled into the OK RV Park just south of Moab. Really cute park, off the noisy highway, but a really not level site. And my levelers aren't working, low on hydraulic fluid, I think. Much machinations with the manual leveling blocks, and finally I am somewhat level. Personally I'm not too concerned about precise level, but the absorption refrigerator really doesn't like to be out of level, and they're expensive to replace.

Moab is hopping, a real tourist spot, reminds me of Hwy 49, the Gold Country. Lots of shops, Jeep tour and float trip operators, and a really good outdoor store at which I purchased a set of trekking poles. All the older hikers are using trekking poles, don't you know. It really helps preserve the knees by distributing pressure and weight to the poles. You have four points of stability, not just two.

The next morning, driving through Arches National Park reminded me of Yosemite. Okay, not quite so crowded, but at the popular arch viewing sites, the parking lots were full, and I had to drive on.

An overview of the Moab Fault.

A live picture of the same Moab Fault.

Not an arch, but I'm calling that guy on the right Easter Island.

This formation is called the Three Gossips, but I think the Three Wise Men might be better.

This and following photos are from Canyonlands NP. Although this park is quite close to Arches, it doesn't get near the visitors. But in a way, it is more interesting geologically. The terrain is remote, diverse and forbidding. Within the park is the confluence of the Green River and the Colorado River.  Both rivers are placid until they meet, then watch out! River rafters apparently love the rapids below. Could not see the rivers from the roads that were available for driving, however.

Canyonlands is perfect for the serious wilderness back country explorer and camper. Probably not going to happen for me. :-)

Being weary from driving all day, I enjoyed a steak sandwich and a piece of coconut cream pie for dinner at the local steakhouse, then got a goodnight's sleep.