Tag Archives: Utah

Our first backroads adventure: Zion, the finale.

Posted on May 13, 2022 by ralietravels

We did not know it then, but 1997 was a great time to visit Zion National Park.  We were able to drive into the park.  It was not crowded on the trails, and at points, we were even able to … Continue reading →

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Our first backroads adventure; part six: good roads and great scenery.

Posted on April 22, 2022 by ralietravels

Once we left the Tavaputz Plateau, we encountered just a few dirt roads, but the scenery was fabulous. Heading South, we passed through Helper, so named because coal trains required a “helper locomotive” to get over the mountain. There is … Continue reading →

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Our first backroads adventure, part five: we drive over one hundred miles on unpaved roads and trails.

Posted on April 15, 2022 by ralietravels

We wanted to visit Randlett, Utah, a post office near the Ute First Americans tribal headquarters in Fort Duchesne. Randlett was named for a very distant relative who was an Indian Agent in the 1800s and probably sold whiskey to … Continue reading →

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Our first backroads adventure, part 4: Moab and vicinity.

Posted on April 8, 2022 by ralietravels

This part of our 1997 trip was often on small roads, but they were principal routes in the part of Utah where we were travelling. Leaving Canyonlands, we headed north and passed Wilson’s Arch, close to the highway and one … Continue reading →

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Our first back roads adventure, part three: over the Lukachukai Pass to Canyonlands.

Posted on April 1, 2022 by ralietravels

We could have driven straight north from Chinle after seeing Canyon de Chelly.  It would have been a more direct road to the south part of Canyonlands National Park.  But after 25 years, I forget why we chose instead to … Continue reading →

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Why the Ancients disappeared: Southwest United States

Posted on May 3, 2019 by ralietravels

Early First Americans once lived in the four corners area where Colorado, Utah, Arizona and New Mexico meet.  Often called “cliff dwellers” because of their homes built into the cliffs, they also lived on top of the plateaus, originally in … Continue reading →

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When the river is too shallow: Utah Highway 279

Posted on April 26, 2019 by ralietravels

We took boats twice on the Colorado River south of Moab to the edge of Canyonlands National Park.  We wanted to do it again.  But Colorado and Utah had been in a prolonged drought, and the river was too low … Continue reading →

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The Bear’s Ears: Utah

Posted on May 12, 2017 by ralietravels

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke visited the Bear’s Ears in Utah this week as part of a review of National Monuments. President Obama declared the area a National Monument despite the opposition of the Utah Congressional delegation and many … Continue reading →

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Capitol Reef National Park

Posted on October 30, 2016 by ralietravels

Utah has five National Parks.  Each is unique.  Many people visit Bryce with its hoodoos and Zion with its canyon vegetation which are close to Las Vegas.  Arches and Canyonlands both  have features obvious in their names. Capitol Reef National … Continue reading →

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A Colorado River boat ride

Posted on October 23, 2016 by ralietravels

We would love a raft trip down the Colorado River, rushing through the rapids.  It isn’t going to happen.  I can’t get my hearing aids wet and can’t hear the guide without them. Nor could Alie’s arthritic joints stand the … Continue reading →

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