Salt Lake City to Moab via Canyonlands National Park

The night feels very short when we are back on the road at 8am. 

Today we are travelling from Salt Lake City to Canyonlands Nationsl Park via the Colorado Plateau and are assured it's not too many miles. Yesterday we did 422 miles, which is more than we were expecting. Today were on the road 2 hours before stopping to buy a picnic lunch. An enormous beef and cheese roll between the two of us, well it was a foot long, some crisps which were handmade in the store and absolutely delicious, a giant sticky bun, again between us, some cookies, two bottles of water and a coffee for John. The price for this little lot was $14.70, what a bargain. 

The landscape today is a vast emptyness as in the photo below. It just goes on for mile after mile of nothing. 

We arrived at Canyonlands at 12ish and first stop was Monitor and Merrimac Buttes

 

Eventually we reached this enormous arch. If Arches Park tomorrow is anything like this we won't be disappointed. 

The views are spectacular and the photos don't really do the landscape justice. We can only wonder how they can get any better, but I'm sure the best is still to come. 

Todays hotel has an outdoor pool and jacuzzi so spent a lovely hour relaxing with a few of the other tourers. I don't think we've ever walked into such a hot pool before.  It's unbelievable that just 36 hours ago we were leaving a cold cold Yellowstone and here we are with the temperature in the 80s. Just what we need. 

Just got back in at 9:30 pm after having a very enjoyable meal with a Swansea couple, Sam and Viv. Couldn't believe just how warm it is outside at this time of night. Have had to give the air con a boost to cool the room down a bit.