Friday, September 11, 2009

COLORADO RIVER, AUGUST 27, 2009

 

Matt and Alice had suggested we take a jetboat tour of the Colorado River.  After a morning of hiking through Arches National Park, this was a most welcome idea.  Canyonlands by Night and Day offered a 1-1/2 hour sunset cruise down river from Moab, followed by a cowboy-style dutch oven dinner.  After a hot, dry day in the park, it was a real pleasure to get out on the river and enjoy skimming over the water.

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Rory, our guide, would turn the motor off periodically and point out things of interest.  It was so peaceful just drifting and seeing everything this river canyon had to offer.  Here is an arch, and if you can believe it, he told us mountain bikers have been known to ride their bikes across the top of it!

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We stopped and watched a mountain climber scaling one of the canyon walls.  It was so thoughtful of him to wear a red shirt so we could easily spot him.

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We stopped to see a shy beaver and also saw some birds along the riverbank, as well.

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We saw a section of a cliff wall filled with fossils of sea shells and sea creatures.  Rory explained that this entire area once laid underneath a vast ocean.

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Rory told us about the filming of Thelma and Louise and the famous “car over the cliff” scene.  He also described many commercials that have been filmed on the top of lofty spires in Canyonlands.  We waved to a group of people who were up on top of Dead Horse Point.

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We saw Jug Handle Arch.  Rory said climbers often wedge themselves in the handle and shimmy up to the top.

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I leave you with some more lovely photos of our river cruise.  I apologize that there are no dinner pictures.  We were too busy eating.  We had great huckleberry ice cream for dessert.  It was a great day from beginning to end.

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