Our adventures in Moab seemed to me the kind of thing you read about in books. Whizzing around the canyon roads on the back of the bike, snapping pictures and identifying rock types- it felt as though Christmas had come early. An unusually hot and sandy Christmas- I grant you- but a gift, nonetheless.
My Father-in-law is one of those people who is useful to have around. An endless font of knowledge, and with the kind of internal compass that makes me look entirely lost at sea, Eb pretty much had our itinerary listed in the most time-effective schedule you could ever hope to achieve. The happy result of this was that during two days we did all these things:
*Visited the Canyonlands. Drove down the most treacherous canyon trail that thanks Forrest's 'hilarious' pranks and one-inch-from-the-edge driving, is sure to haunt my nightmares. Love you too, dear husband.
*Filled our water bottles from a fresh spring in the rocks (water has never tasted so clean).
*Journeyed through the Arches National Park where we encountered nature in all it's rocky, lizardy loveliness. The arches appeared to be playing musical statues, remaining frozen in one gravity-defying arrangement after another. Riding underneath a cloud-strewn sky, we got battered for 5 cheerless minutes by a fleeting rainstorm, just to remind us that we weren't infact on the surface of Mars. Then it was 500 degrees again, and we all fried.
*Also: sipped some local brews; marveled at the native art and ceramics; fell in love with the 'kokopelli' characters; tirelessly ate breakfast waffles like a hungry, hungry horse; sampled my first (and definitely not my last) affogato (gelato and expresso in a cup); sunburned my right leg, arm and cheek, which didn't do alot for my general appeal, but made me laugh out loud in the shower.
Then almost without warning, it was time to leave. So we did. Back to Durango, via Cortez and the Mesa Verde National Park. Not a moment to spare, so bike helmets on, ensure my ears are still attached to my head, and GO! Ok then.
Enjoyed very much your travel log, the illustrations are fabulous. It was interesting to hear what a person just visiting the state thinks about what they see.
ReplyDeleteWhat a glorious trip! I will be so sad when it's over. Took a trip across the country in the 70s with my sister (in a yellow van with a giant footprint painted on the top!). It was just wonderful. Sharing your trip has brought back many fond memories. Thank you so much! nancy
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE your style Louise. Your illustrations are totally top notch! :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure about the canyon trail and close to the edge driving, but I'd love to visit some of these places. Your photos are really good and the grinning sheep is great.
ReplyDeleteYou are a talented artist and writer. I love the bighorn sheep--he looks like he might be a jazz musician on the side.
ReplyDeletei really dig your style. the lines are just so... uh... active, maybe. yeah, active. they just really make the drawing jump. love the look and feel of the sheep in particular.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying seeing the Southwest through your eyes and talent. Thanks. I especially like the blue jay. That's exactly what they look like when they squawk at my cat.
ReplyDeleteHey, thank you all so much! You've made me chuckle today. A jazz musician, Janene?! That would be brilliant sheep indeed!
ReplyDeleteNancy, you've inspired me. I've really gotta do a road trip with MY sisters. That would be wonderful and horrifying (our combined navigational talents equal disaster) and everything in between.....
But thanks all of you for your generous comments, they are always much appreciated :)
Louise
Now the sheep and the jay sure have some characters there =) I love them.
ReplyDeleteVery nice drawings as always
I'm so into this story that I click on every picture to view everything close up!
ReplyDeleteI love the top drawing. He has a great expression on his face!
ReplyDelete