Just finished a Grand Canyon Road trip with my mom (It was one of the things on her bucket list!). We took the I-10 corridor through FL, AL, MS, LA, and TX. OMG. If I never see that stretch of God forsaken highway again, I'll be better for it. Hell on Earth! Once off of that misbegotten highway, the rest of the trip was stunning. I40 West into NM and AZ will seriously hurt your feelings with it's gorgeousness. But the trek back home to Florida? Heading into Moab, UT from the North Rim, my gps took us the Scenic route, 89 North to I 70. I can't count how many times I cried on that trek. So beautiful. Spotted Wolf Canyon made it nearly impossible for me to talk and drive at the same time. Stunning images. They are forever burned in my brain.
Southern UT is one of those place that is a well kept secret simply because it's off all the beaten paths. But it's hard to describe to people who haven't seen it and no photo does it justice.
Growing up in Utah was a very life - changing experience for me. Places such as " The Swell " solidified where I'd spend the rest of my life. I was there again back in July of this year. Unless you experience this treasure for yourself, You haven't lived.
If you come through Utah again on a tour... you need to take highway 89 south, then take the 12 east through Bryce Canyon, Escalante-Grand Staircase, then up to the 24 through Capitol Reef. You'll join up with the 95 in Hanksville and can go back north to I-70 past Goblin valley. Trust me, you will thank me later. That stretch of road will blow your mind. To give you an idea of the area around Hanksville, NASA and the Mars Society operate a habitat in the mountains North of Hanksville because it looks so much like Mars.
When I moved to California from Pennsylvania 10 years ago I drove across the country and had to go 70 instead of 80. I am glad I did. The SR Swell area was my favorite part of the trip. Just so beautiful through Utah. I want so bad to vacation there and hit all the national parks. Some day hopefully.
That video was swell. That "Goblin Valley State Park" sounds spooky, what a name :-D. It's great that there are tons of scenic viewpoints all along that highway. I tend to stop at them a lot too.
I did this drive-once, back in the mid '90s, when I went to Arches NP. Would love to do it again soon, knock on wood. It's a beautiful area, and you can bet there's been a few movies made there. Noticed the posted speed limit's 80. And there were folks passing you....
And the folks passing you were doing 85 or 90 at least. Any UHP or County SO out there? FYI the only time I went, I only saw one UHP unit-and he tailed me for 10 miles going east (Single White Male, sporty car, CA plates). Wouldn't be surprised if some felt this was where one could drop the hammer and get away with it....I-15's the same way: I was doing 80 in a 75, and people were passing!
Thank you so very much,That was a delight! I've been there 4? times and it was so nice to see it again...I been through there from Monticello to Bonneville salt flats.My profile picture is on the salt in 2005? You won't see salt like that anymore.Its been Raped!TY73s
