From Denver to Moab

A Typical Canyon Vista

Friday morning (9/7) we departed Denver and wound our way up and down the Rocky Mountains. Of course I snapped no photos as I was driving and my attention was required by the road conditions. We did stop for fuel and later did a rest stop at Parachute, CO. My description makes it sound mundane but the panoramic view out our windshield was breathtaking. I found it somewhat ironic that I was driving our Winnebago at over 10,000 feet and, tongue in cheek, wondering if I should really have a pilot’s license.

Our Portals Resort Site

Equally impressive was the transition from an alpine environment to prairie with its endless view of sage brush and mesas, buttes, and dry washes. Kathy and I both marveled at the daring and perseverance of the settlers who first crossed this vast country.  Exiting US70 at SR191 we headed thirty miles south to Moab. The landscape changed from rolling prairie to high cliffs of red rock as we approached the entrance of Arches National Park. A few miles further and we arrived at Moab.

One of the RV parks we called was at full capacity but they referred us to the Portal RV Resort. It is super nice and with all the amenities. After setting up camp the first thing Kathy and did was to hit the pool and hot tub. After seven plus hours on the road it was the precise prescription need to soothe my aching neck and shoulders. Aaaahhhhhhhh!

 

 

Red Cliffs Lodge

It had been a long day so I decided it was my time to cook dinner. We loaded up in the car and made our way to the Red Cliffs Lodge, fourteen miles out of Moab on route 128. The highway was winding with a top speed of forty-five mph but the scenery was pure Southwest. The entire drive was through a canyon shared by the Colorado River. Though not as deep as the Grand Canyon, and with the river much tamer at this location, it was remarkable nonetheless. We were surrounded by towering red cliffs as we followed the rivers path through this surreal countryside.

veranda view

We arrived at the Lodge at dusk and our veranda table afforded us another grand perspective of blue sky, tranquil water, green grass and red rock as the light faded at sunset. The meal was satisfactory but not spectacular. Kathy and I were both somewhat puzzled by our servers. They looked somewhat out of place. Red Cliffs is a working ranch and our wait staff was dressed as if they had come straight from the stables to the dining room. Sorry, if I am typecasting here I don’t mean to but it seemed strange to have our meal served by macho looking cowboy types.