Setting out on a ten-day March road trip around the U.S. Southwest, the first two stops were favorite places I’d been before and had returned several times. I alternated between a day of driving and a day at a destination. As I was entering the breathtaking carved Glenwood Canyon, the Grateful Dead’s Truckin‘ came on my satellite radio. It seemed somehow appropriate. “What a long strange trip it’s been!”
Arriving in Glenwood Springs, Friday afternoon was the perfect time for a soak in the Hot Springs Pool. Although this winter in the Colorado mountains had been a mild one, it always felt like a reward to wade in the warm mineral waters. I wandered through the newly remodeled area of smaller pools and waterfalls. But the next day, the first Saturday of Spring Break for most schools and colleges, the pool was mobbed. Avoiding the larger pool, packed with children, it was hard to maneuver around even the hotter Therapy Pool. It seemed like tattoos-on-parade as I checked out the intensely decorated limbs of a young crowd, some quite artistic. A walk around town in the afternoon filled the rest of the day and, although the pool staff allows visitors to return the same day, I decided to skip an evening dip.
Murals greeted me in the small mountain town of Carbondale on my way to a favorite breakfast café.
(Click the arrows to view)
Turning south through eastern Utah, Moab is a popular spot for red rocks scenery and a jumping off point for National Parks and Monuments. Decades ago, my son and I hiked every trail in Arches National Park. A day hiking some familiar areas was on my list. The window, arch, and sculpted shapes were formed by underground movement, ice, and water over millennia that continue to slowly weather and erode the landforms.
Walking the trail around Balancing Rock, I overheard a man and boy speculating about which way the rock would fall. I couldn’t resist adding “Maybe it will just detach and float back up into space where it came from!” The man smiled; the boy looked up, bewildered.
The line of cars waiting to get into the Delicate Arch trail parking lot reminded me that Sunday of Spring Break was not the best time to be there. I had hiked to that famous arch two or three times in the past. So I continued along the road to the viewpoint. Not as impressive as being up on that ridge, but a good place to see it nonetheless.
Driving back past the trailhead parking lot, the line of cars had grown three or four-fold. I found a probably not legal spot where a few others had pulled over long enough to hike to the petroglyph area, just a little way in, before leaving for the day. These petroglyphs, unlike others I had seen in Colorado and would see later on this trip in New Mexico, were newer Ute markings, showing people on horseback as well as bighorn sheep. Horses were traded from the Spanish as early as the 1580s.
The shapes of reaching, dead desert trees attracted me almost as much as the arches.
Silhouettes at the end of the day.
Southwest road trip: Road trip, Arches, Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, Chaco Canyon, Albuquerque, Petroglyphs National Monument
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Ruth Rosenfeld 
Driving through Glenwood Canyon is always so lovely! What a great start to your roadtrip, despite the crowds. I’m looking forward to reading more about your upcoming destinations!
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Thanks, Diana. I’m sure you will find some familiar places on this journey!
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Gorgeous! I’ve been to Utah for Bryce and Zion, but alas, I never made it to Arches…it’s a dream to visit some day, and the natural arches are certainly a thing of beauty! Looks like a lovely road trip, Ruth 🙂
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Thank you, Rebecca! It’s my favorite of the Utah parks and little closer. Hope you get there.
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I love visiting the place you go….beautiful pictures and commentary. Thanks for sharing; enjoy your road trip.
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Glad you enjoyed this post. I appreciate your comment.
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The stunning sandstone towers of the Three Gossips look amazing, and I just love how these tall rock formations do indeed resemble figures chatting and offer a dramatic introduction to the park’s desert scenery. I’d love to visit Arches National Park one day for its unique, otherworldly desert scenery and iconic, gravity-defying geological formations, including sandstone arches. Thanks for sharing and inspiring. Take care 🙂 Aiva xx
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I have been several times and the Gossips always move me. I imagine them in gowns from historic times. Hope you come to this area of the U.S. Thanks for your lovely comment, AIva!
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😊😊😊
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I haven’t been to Arches in ages. Thank you for the reminder that they are gorgeous in a primal way.
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You’re welcome. There are few places I’ve been that call me back to come again like Arches.
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Sounds like a wonderful road trip, minus the crowds from March Break. We’ve been to Arches a couple of times, but would love to return as there’s still a few trails we have yet to explore, including to Delicate Arch. Beautiful set of shots of the incredible landscape.
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Thank you! It’s a favorite spot, always worth another visit, so beautiful and fascinating.
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Nature is a fantastic sculptor, that’s for sure.
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Truly, it’s awe-inspiring.
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Such impressive pictures. I’ve been to these places and know how beautiful they are. Your pictures truly capture the feeling of each place. Wonderful.
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Thank you for your kind words. They are certainly photogenic places. Glad you enjoyed this post.
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You’re bringing back fond memories. I love both Glenwood and Arches and will certainly return one day (and hopefully many times).
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They are such memorable places, worth another visit!
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It’s such a striking landscape, and the three gossips are my absolute favourite – reminds me of my two best friends and I!
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I picture some old-timey figures with long dresses and bonnets or buns. 😊
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Just the sort of US south west scenery I love! You’ve reminded me of a long ago visit to Arches 😀 The Three Gossips is a favourite formation as well as all the arches themselves. I also loved seeing the petroglyphs and the modern street art is great too, especially the eagle!
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Thanks, Sarah! Arches is so memorable, those shapes and colors. The park has done a good job building trails to make the most notable spot accessible. Glad you enjoyed this post.
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Spectacular rock formations and Petroglyphs!
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Thanks for your visit and comment.
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