Not another Moab RR!

I’ve read several nice Moab RR’s lately and thought twice about posting another one. But, hey, how can you go wrong with a week of adventures in <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1lace>Moab</st1lace></st1:country-region> in April? My brother and I made the trip over from Colorado and hooked up with the folks and some other life-long friends.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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This RR may be a little different in that it will have pictures (can you say, “lots of photos”) of our rides that include a dual sport ride (mostly street) through Monument Valley and Valley of the Gods, a dual sport ride (mostly dirt) up Long Canyon and the White Rim Road, a 4x4 ride to Canyon Lands N.P. and Dead Horse S.P., and single track dirt bike rides of Steel Bender and the Sovereign Trail. Hold on to your hat because it will be coming quickly, even if in small doses.<o></o>
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Here’s a montage to give you a flavor or what is coming.<o></o>
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If you like photo intensive RR’s you might want to check out my first RR I just completed with lots of photos of dual sport riding in <st1lace>SE Arizona</st1lace> this last winter.
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in...

You can't get too much of a good thing. (And I have the scares to prove it.)

Bring it on, we will be waiting...

Are we going to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1lace>Moab</st1lace></st1:country-region> again!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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One thing about <st1:country-region><st1lace>Moab</st1lace></st1:country-region>; even getting there is a treat.<o></o>
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Dropping into <st1:country-region><st1lace>Moab</st1lace></st1:country-region> at the base of the snow topped <st1lace><st1laceName>La Salle</st1laceName> <st1laceType>Mountains</st1laceType></st1lace><o></o>
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Our home and base camp for the next week! Dang, have to wake up each morning to the same view.<o></o>


<o>More coming...</o>

This looks like it's gonna be yummy!

The riding started on the asphalt with a pass through Arches N.P. and a small jog down to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace><st1laceType>Monument </st1laceType><st1laceType>Valley</st1laceType></st1lace> to see the gods. If you have to do asphalt, this is the way to do it.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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My brother Lonnie&#8217;s &#8220;Don&#8217;t Mess With Me.&#8221; look. <st1:State><st1lace>Texas</st1lace></st1:State> doesn&#8217;t have anything over him.<o></o>
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His girl friend, Alex, has a friendlier approach.<o></o>
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<o>Next - down the road to Monument Valley.</o>

I'am aboard
I will never get too much of Moab/Utah

per usual. (it's okay I call him that since he's my father and he's usually the one making me look stupid in countless situations )

I never get tired of Moab RRs. The place is just stunning to look at and a pleasure to ride.

I agree. Can't get too much of Moab.

O.K., we’re back on the road headed south to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1lace><st1laceType>Monument</st1laceType> <st1laceType>Valley</st1laceType></st1lace>!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Coming into Mexican Hat. Wonder how the place got it’s name… This is the last stop, from the north, before dropping into <st1lace><st1laceType>Monument</st1laceType> <st1laceType>Valley</st1laceType></st1lace>.<o></o>
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As you cross the <st1lace>San Juan River</st1lace> you will find San Juan Trading Post and Hotel cut into the wall. It is a great place to stop for a Navajo Taco. If your schedule allows. this is a great place to spend the night and get up early and ride into the valley to watch the sun come up over the monuments. That is something to behold. We didn’t have an extra day on this trip so we missed the spectacular sunrise.<o></o>
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Don’t need words for this view.<o></o>
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Indian Trading Post<o></o>
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Neither film nor pixels can do justice to the majesty of these giant monuments.<o></o>
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Another stop at Mexican Hat for fuel then back north to the Valley of the Gods turn off.<o></o>
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The next segment covers a ride through the Valley of the Gods on a nice dirt road. We found this even more impressive than Monument Valley.<o></o>

hey, LarryT
Thanks for the post. I am going to be there in a few weeks so this is very helpful

The image above---is that the gas station/motel where one can camp across the hwy? Do you know?

Thanks' and look forward to more.

Stay safe

John

JayElDee,

I don't kno about camping in that area. That is all Indian lands and they have some strict rules. I know there is lodging in Mexican Hat and Kayenta. I remember at least one campground near Bluff where 191 runs into 163. I didn't really look into it since we were camped in Moab and making a round trip in one day.

I have to start getting more posts up quickly for you. I have some really good stuff coming. PM me if you want GPS tracks/routes or other info.

On our way back to <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comffice:smarttags" /><st1:country-region><st1lace>Moab</st1lace></st1:country-region> we took the Valley of the Gods turn. This is one you don’t want to miss if you are in the area.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Let’s ride.<o></o>
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<o>More coming...</o>

Mexican Hat is awesome... that hotel by the San Juan Trading Post is a great place to stay, plus anything Navajo-Flatbread-related is a good thing

I agree!

Nice RR larrytoby. Let's start page 2. There's not enough Moab RRs.

Beautiful, I can never see enough of the Great Southwest

At the end of the road through the Valley of the Gods you intersect with Highway 261 at the bottom of a cliff. There is a great dirt road cut into the cliff. At the top you get to see the view of the valley and beyond. The views say it all.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
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Two brothers doing what they love most.<o></o>
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<o>The camera doesn't catch it well but you can see all the way to Mexican Hat.</o>
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My weak attempt to stitch the previous three photos together.<o></o>
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We got back to camp in time for a whiteout…<o></o>
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Which turned into a brownout…<o></o>
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It lasted the rest of the day and into the night.<o></o>

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It actually snowed brown.<o></o>
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Before we knew it, the weather had cleared out.<o></o>
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But not without leaving it’s trace.<o></o>
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Next up – a 4x4 scenic drive into a couple of wonderful parks. Then, the good stuff…

nice!
the moki dugway is just plain fun what a view