The White Rim Trail, Canyonlands National Park...

Lovers of nature and wild places have the Cold War to thank for providing future generations with this 100 mile 4X4/mountain bike route. It was in the 1950's when the Atomic Energy Commission was searching high and low and in between for uranium to manufacture nuclear weapons. After all, as a nation we didn't feel safe unless we could destroy most of the life on the planet a few times. (The cockroaches would have been kings). 

Lucky for all of us, it never came to that. The yellow element wasn't found in enough abundance to warrant mining operations. The views were spared.

In 1964, LBJ (in a moment when he wasn't abusing his pet beagles) signed into law the creation of Canyonlands National Park. Good for him. 

In the early 90's. I rode the trail for the first time. I took a nasty header where I punctured my thigh. There was an ER doc on that trip with a stitch kit. He sutured me in the middle of the desert. Guess what general anesthesia was used? 

A few shots of tequila with limes and salt of course!

I'm heading in mañana for the fourth time.

Wish me luck.

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah...

The rural legend goes, a few ornery cowboys corralled (read trapped) a herd of horses on a spit of mesa   connected to the mainland by a narrow neck. The horses were forgotten and starved to death. Hence the name of the park. Not a pretty story for such beautiful place. 

Some local historians claim the deceased horses were salvaged by McDonald's for Big Mac hamburgers. No one has substantiated that claim though to my knowledge.

Here's a photo of my great friends, Paul and Robin. We attempted to mountain bike some of Dead Horse park. It didn't go well. I wiped out and Robin got bruised. We leave on Tuesday to begin the 100 mile White Rim Trail. Our learning curve better improve.

BTW. I was Best Man at Paul and Robin's wedding. In fact, I've had that honor three times. All the couples have been happily married now for over a century. My point is: if you wish to stay married and keep away from divorce lawyers, get me to be your Best Man. My fee is not exorbitant. 

Good night from Moab, Utah. 

La Verkin Creek, Zion National Park...

The trail getting there isn't the OMG kind of scenery visitors come to expect from Zion, but the destination is worth it. The attractions are less people, a creek to lullaby you to sleep and Kolob Arch and Bear Trap Falls to hike bonus miles to.

Kolob Arch is the second longest free standing arch in the world. Unfortunately, it's a shy arch and not very photogenic. You'll have to visit Arches National Park to see the largest span. Landscape Arch is uninhibited and a real crowd pleasing show-off. 

The 30 foot waterfall in Bear Trap is sublime, but the water is Brrrrr. (That's Jeff speak for cold). 

There's so many beautiful places to see.

Good night from Moab, Utah.