Moab to Monument Valley & Four Corners

Wednesday morning we woke up and took Jonathan to the sand dunes across from Arches National Park.  We had seen them the day before but didn't know you could actually climb on them until we listened to the audio tour CD we purchased at the Visitor's Center.  Jonathan had a blast climbing on the dunes.  And wow were they high!! I don't think the photos can possibly show just how large (and how cool) this place was for a kid!

Jonathan climbing up the dune

It's quite a run down this thing!

to help with the size perspective....
see that speck?   That is Jonathan!

We made a quick run back into Arches to meet up with Kerry and crew and ran into the younger four (Stephen, Rachel, Hannah and Anna) in the parking lot.  Of course, that called for a photo, much to Stephen's chagrin.  :D

cousins - Anna, Hannah, Jackson, Rachel,
Stephen, Susanna and Jonathan

Anna and Hannah with their "I climbed
Angels Landing" t-shirts from Zion   :)

We then got on the highway to head south toward Monument Valley.  Again, the journey was as important as the destination - lovely scenery the entire way.  Of course there was THIS spot where we all craned our necks (and probably drove in a decidedly unsafe way!) to see what the arrow was all about....

big rock formation with arrow pointing to... what?

WHAT is that arrow pointing to??

Oh!  It is pointing to THIS!  Which just
happens to be on the other side of the painted
rock and all by itself, quite visible!!  If you
don't wreck the car looking at that stupid arrow, that is!  :)

The approach to Monument Valley was stunning, although I wish we had arrived in the morning or at sunset to get the best light.  Marvin, as an aficionado of all western movies, was especially looking forward to this place.  It has been used as a backdrop for countless western classics through the years.  It was fun to see it in person.

Susanna and Candace

We left Monument Valley to head toward our hotel in Cortez, CO, but were able to make a quick stop at the Four Corners Monument just minutes before they closed down.  It is a cool place to visit and get the obligatory photo.  Plus, since we were so late in the day, we almost had the place to ourselves!   :)

Jackson is in Utah, I am in Colorado, Jonathan
is in New Mexico and Marvin is in Arizona

Arrived in Cortez (lovely town) in time to grab a bit to eat then head to bed.