On May 4, 2011 Man and I made another LONG day trip, to Dead Horse Point State Park and Canyonlands National Park, Island in the Sky District. You drive right by Dead Horse Point State Park on the way to the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands National Park, so, you do both. The drive from Moab takes you 9 miles northwest of Moab on US 191 and then 23 miles southwest on Utah 313. Knowing it would be a long day with no services available we packed a lunch and the fur kids, and we were off.
With almost a 35 mile drive before we get to the park you just know the beauty begins before we ever get to Dead Horse Point State Park:
Lots of rocks sitting on top of rocks that look like they could topple over with a whisper of wind or a rumble of an earthquake. As always, I am mesmerized at Mother Nature's balancing act.
Below is a formation called the Merrimac, after the Civil War Confederate ship by that name (also known by the southern forces by the name, Virginia.)
And, below, is the Monitor, named after the Union ship sent to destroy the Merrimac.
It is said the battle between the two changed maritime warfare forever. Below, the two, Merrimac on the left, Monitor on the right. The formations are over 600 feet tall towering over the Utah desert floor.
All this beauty and we have not even entered the state park yet. By the way, I took 595 photos during this little day trip! I won't take nearly that many photos again until we do another day trip, to Zion National Park.
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2 comments:
"Dead Horse Point State Park" - interesting name, I wonder about the story behind it.
OK, I wonder no more - your link provided the answer - "According to one legend, a band of broomtails was left corralled on the Point. The gate was supposedly left open so the horses could return to the open range. For some unknown reason, the mustangs remained on the Point. There they died of thirst within sight of the Colorado River, 2,000 feet below."
Fabulous shots...
Spectacular, Carol! Thank you.
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