From This Valley They Say You Are Leaving...
On Friday September 28, 2007 I will depart from Moab, Utah. After leaving Durango on the Autumnal Equinox, I met Carrie late that evening at the airport in Grand Junction,
now touted as the center of Colorado’s wine country. From there, we
drove the 110 miles to Moab, much of it in a heavy rainstorm. Upon
arrival in Moab, the early storm had passed, so we did a quick setup of
the coach and turned in for the night.
Having lived in my
travel trailer for the better part of the past two years, the sound of
rain falling overnight was a comfort to me. 
In the morning, Carrie was amazed that I could sleep through a downpour of such biblical proportions, but sleep I did.
As we drove around town the next day, I was confused upon seeing how
much red earth had washed across the roads. Until we arrived at the
Colorado River, I was skeptical that the overnight downpour could have
caused such a shift in the landscape.
As you can see, by the next afternoon, it was a clear and beautiful day.
In the morning, Carrie was amazed that I could sleep through a downpour of such biblical proportions, but sleep I did.
As we drove around town the next day, I was confused upon seeing how
much red earth had washed across the roads. Until we arrived at the
Colorado River, I was skeptical that the overnight downpour could have
caused such a shift in the landscape.As you can see, by the next afternoon, it was a clear and beautiful day.
_lg.JPG "Small rapids in the Colorado River, near Castle Valley, Utah - Click for larger image (http://jamesmcgillis.com)")
On our way up-river towards Castle Valley, I was amazed to see how much the river had risen and how turbulent and red its fabled waters flowed.
At
Castle Valley itself, we found a display of light unlike any I had
previously seen. Between the clouds, the late afternoon Sun and the
geological features there, it was a sight to behold and to remember. In
this area, it is all too easy to take such breathtaking sights as
commonplace. Still, Mother Nature has her ability to stop you in your
tracks and make you take notice.
.jpg "Classic Utah sights worth seeing include this butte and pinnacle at Castle Valley - Click for larger image (http://jamesmcgillis.com)")
_lg.JPG "Classic Utah sights worth seeing include this butte and pinnacle at Castle Valley - Click for larger image (http://jamesmcgillis.com)")
After
three days together in this most spiritual of lands, Carrie flew back
to Burbank, California on Wednesday. I spent one additional day here in
Moab. My excuse for doing so was to clean up some computer work and get
ready for a three-day trip home to Simi Valley, California. Moab and
the Spanish Valley are now like old friends. Once you know them, you never want to leave them, but leave I must..jpg "The crest of the Moab Rim near sundown - Click for larger image (http://jamesmcgillis.com)")
_lg.JPG "The crest of the Moab Rim near sundown - Click for larger image (http://jamesmcgillis.com)")
On Friday, I will stop at Navajo National Monument
for one night of dry camping at 7300 ft. It is the best free camping
in the Four Corners area. Also within the monument are some of the best
preserved Pre-Puebloan Indian cliff and alcove dwellings, dating to
around 1250 AD.
After a long pull, through Flagstaff, Arizona and Needles, California on Interstate 40, I will spend this Saturday night at Mojave National Preserve,
a 1.4 million acre unspoiled desert paradise. although hot in the
summer, from late September until early April it is a wonderful place to
spend a night or two during your travels on I-40.
I was pleased to
discover that on her first trip here, Carrie loved Moab as much as I
do. We are looking forward to spending time here each year.
On Sunday, I will pull all the way to Simi Valley, California, where Carrie and I will be together again.
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