Exploring the American Landscape From Our Airstream
If you’ve ever seen a Jeep commercial or a western film, you already know what the region around Moab looks like. The red rock mesas with sheer vertical sides are some of the most familiar images of the American west. But while the sandstone formations were undoubtedly impressive, what really made it special for us … Read moreFinishing the Mighty 5: Arches, Canyonlands, Dead Horse Point, and Moab
After being wowed by the geology of Valley of Fire in Nevada, we headed into Utah — a state that is completely new to both of us, and which is home to some of the most dramatic rock formations in the US. Our plans take us through all of Utah’s “Mighty 5” national parks, as … Read moreMighty 5 Begins: Zion, Bryce, Kodachrome Basin, and Grand Staircase-Escalante
We had heard rave reviews of Valley of Fire State Park from multiple people, RVers and regular travelers alike, so when our route took us through Las Vegas we were sure to make time for a stop. The opportunity to take in red rock scenery and enjoy more desert spring sunshine was a major draw … Read moreBecoming Rockhounds at Valley of Fire State Park
Well, so much for the trees. After leaving Cottonwood and its relatively leafy environment, we headed to northeastern Arizona, where the Colorado Plateau put us at relatively high elevation but in an arid desert environment with virtually no trees in sight. The flat, scrubby high plains just go on forever. We were scheduled to be … Read moreMore Than Just Standing Around on Corners in Winslow, Arizona
After our stop at Picacho Peak we skipped right over the Phoenix metro area and landed in the historic town of Cottonwood, nestled along the Verde River at an elevation of around 3,500 feet. That increase in elevation meant a few things: our arrival just days after a major snowstorm meant we encountered plenty of … Read moreHitting Arizona’s High Country in Cottonwood