Utah, John Wayne Country.

Moab is a classic US strip town with the main road heading right through the middle.  It is lined with motels, hotels, petrol stations and various shops.  While the town isn’t anything to write home about, the surrounding countryside is stunning.  It is a mecca for rock climbers and mountain bikers.

Just driving to and around The Arches National Park is a visual treat, filled with the most jaw-dropping gob-smacking scenery so far.  Red sand-stone, shaped by water and wind into high cliffs, waves, arches, fins and towers.  We walked around the Devil’s Garden loop in perfect weather, trying to capture the views on camera, but truly you have to be there to believe it.

We had a similar experience at Canyon Lands National Park, where Green and Colorado Rivers have cut a deep and colourful rift in the tableland.  This is real John Wayne country (quite a few movies John Wayne movies were filmed there, also the closing scene from Thelma and Louise among others).  Unlike the relatively populated Arches NP, the Murphy Loop walk we did was completely deserted.  For company we had many small lizards, cliff chipmunks, and a few tired mountain-bikers at the halfway point where our path crossed the White Rim Crater trail. 

As a bonus, the local Moab Brewery had a fine cafe for dinners.  I recommend the Porter Ale with strong hint of coffee.  Wines are also made in Utah.  The Outlaw Red was our choice, after a tasting session at the Canyon Creek winery.

Click here to see pictures of the Arches and Canyon Lands NP