We decided to spend the hottest part of the day in our air conditioned car, and did the 60 mile scenic drive up into the LaSal mountains. The vistas were incredible. We could see all of the smaller mountain ridges surrounding the Moab valley. And, it was cooler up higher. Lots of places to pull over and enjoy the view. We came down the mountain into Castle Valley. Great views and rock formations.
The drive continued to Route 128, which goes back to Moab along the Colorado River. Also very pretty. With high, colored cliffs on either side of the river. We stopped at the Red Cliff Lodge and Ranch along the river. They had a free, very interesting movie museum. It turns out that many, many movies have been made in the locales surrounding Moab. Especially westerns. The buttes, and rock formations, the open prairies, and the river lend themselves to movie settings. They had a great movie documentary showing the making of some of the movies, and interviews with some of the local folks who have helped make the movies. Lots of posters of movies that were shot there and actors/actresses that have been there.
We followed the Colorado River scenic drive back into Moab. As we approached, there was a very wide, paved bike trail that started up along the river, crossed the river, and then went all the way over to Arches National Park. Lots of bikers around here.
LaSal Mountain scenic drive photos:
Castle Valley photos:
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