Yesterday and today

We've spent the last two days doing a couple of short off road drives to wind up our time here in Moab. 

Yesterday we drove a bit south of town on rt. 191 to look for Landscape and Balcony arches.    We encountered road construction exactly at the point where we were supposed to turn so we had to continue on for almost 5 miles until we could turn around and get back into the line of traffic behind the "follow me" truck and make another attempt.    By the time we reached the turnoff again the dump trucks and graders had moved out of the way and were able to start our off road adventure.   
 

The decision to take this drive was a spur of the moment one so, since we got a late start, we decided to only go as far as the Picture Frame Arch.   Gay had previously suggested a similar route but continuing past and on to a beautiful overlook.   We'll take her up on it next time through!

Spring has really sprung, the sand is full of sweet little wildflowers.

These flowers smell divine....is it desert holly MonaLiza?

We drove along next to a high, smooth ridge until we saw Balcony Arch near the top.  There were a couple tents staked below and we heard music so snapped a few quick pictures and kept on driving.   It was a real shock to see people there, we're accustomed to having these beautiful places to ourselves.

almost alone......

Balcony arch is on the left of the cliff

Just past this arch we turned a corner and found what we were looking for....Picture Frame Arch.   It's square!

see Dave in purple?

Dave hiked up until he was almost under the arch, but the slick rock was just too steep.

Now for the part of the blog with pictures of Lewis.....

peek a boo!

After lunch today we loaded Lewis in the Jeep and drove out to Bartlett Slickrock, a place Pam and John took us to a couple years ago.   It's a great place to take Lewis.....he can run and play and investigate without running into anyone else.     We all enjoyed hiking around the area with no particular place to go, nothing in particular to see.   Just Lew's kind of hike!

Dave opened the gate and we walked down a narrow sandy road, following the fence line until it ended on the smooth rock terraces.

  We wandered and enjoyed the patterns and piles everywhere.

can you see where we left the Jeep, in the far distance?

Lewis romped and ran and screamed with joy.....

and posed......

and found snippets of shade to rest in....

We've all had a wonderful time here in Moab.   It's a beautiful and exciting place to spend time.