Dead Horse Point and More From Moab

As each weather system would clear out, we would get out to see more sights.  We had Dead Horse Point State Park on our list of places to visit not just for the views but also because to see an overhead look of the Shafer Road.  The legend of the State Park's name..Dead Horse Point, refers to how many years ago cowboys would round up the horses, corral the unwanted ones on this point and leave them to die without water.  Terrible to even think this could happen..I just hope it's only a legend.  Stopping by the Visitor Center, we get sweeping views of the Colorado River and then driving a bit further, we get that famous grand view.

Views from the Dead Horse Point Visitor Center

Fees to enter Dead Horse Point State Park allow you 3 days entrance.  During our afternoon visit, we noticed that the afternoon light prevented better photography of the Shafer Road, we decide to go back the next morning.  Now that view was much better.  

Ronnie is not really standing that close to the edge of the abyss.  There is a second level rock ledge behind him about 3 feet away.  

The position of the Shafer Canyon, which the Shafer Road had those switchbacks, seemed to stay in the shadows. Nevertheless, we still get great views of the lower Shafer Road sections.  Did we really just drive that dirt path??

Look closely, you can see other Jeeps and four-wheeled vehicles driving the trail.

I think this is the section where the famous movie ending scene in "Thelma and Louise" was filmed.

Notice that tourist standing on the lower ledge.

Looking eastward from Dead Horse Point, we can see the snow-capped La Sal Mountains.

Another sight we wanted to take in was the famous Sand Flats Recreation Area. The slickrock, domes, fins and bowls of this public lands region offers camping as well as mountain biking trails and over 40 miles of 4x4 trails.  This world-renowned area was one of Ronnie's 'must go' places.  Now, we did not take our Jeep down any of these impressive trails, we don't have the over-sized tires or a lift kit but we could still watch and be amazed at what these folks could do with their modified vehicles.

Our timing here in Moab worked out for us to enjoy the The Red Rocks Art Festival.

Celebrating plein air painting with a weeks worth of art workshops and art shows, it culminated with a Saturday street festival.  We found art and food vendors plus interactive art tents as well.  Sidewalk art chalk experiences for the kids, a Moab type spin art and community info booths rounded out the offerings.

There seemed to be a variety of art vendors selling works from Moab's thriving art community.  Using the inspiring surrounding sandstone landscapes, the creativity here is obvious.  From the exhibited plein air paintings to art for sale inspired by the ancient pictographs and petroglyphs.  I even found useful artwork made from old bicycle and car parts, there was something for almost everyone.

There were stages for musicians, stages for visual artists and a welcoming atmosphere to anyone who wanted to participate in the arts.

Even your basic "spin art" with a Moab twist, using a bicycle could be found at this most creative Red Rocks Arts Festival.  Scattered throughout the festival you could find artists creating and and making their work, what an inspiring place to be.










More Later.
A day trip to Capitol Reef National Park.