Another great trip to 4 Corners area
Dec 31st, 2015, 05:47 AM
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Another great trip to 4 Corners area
I haven’t written a trip report for our last few adventures in southern Utah and the 4 Corners region, but I want to mention a few highlights from this year’s early Sept trip. Husband Peter and I decided to leave our itinerary wide open with hotel reservations for only our first night and last two nights of our 12 day trip. With all our camping gear in tow (thank you, Southwest, for no baggage fees) and a 4WD SUV rental, we set out from Las Vegas, the land of cheap nonstop flights and car rentals. Stopped at Lee’s in Mesquite to stock up on plenty of good wine for our trip – they have a huge selection and great prices!
First night was in Kanab at Canyons Lodge – nice room, reasonably priced. Incredibly good meal at the newly opened Sego Restaurant at Canyons Hotel (across the street from the Lodge). A really nice breakfast at Sego is included in the room price. We spent another night in Kanab near the end of the trip, mostly so we could dine again at Sego – and had another incredible meal. The room at Canyons Hotel was fancier but more expensive than the Lodge.
We planned to spend much of our time in the four corners area to visit the Anasazi Heritage Center in Colorado, explore Canyon of the Ancients, and a few sites in northern New Mexico. Also hoped to meet up with some “online friends” who share our interest in exploring Ancestral Puebloan culture (and cool rocks!) We toured Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins in northern New Mexico - both very interesting and worth a visit, especially the restored kiva at Aztec. Spent a two nights in Durango at the Downtown Durango Inn. Great location next to the river. Excellent meals at Chimayo and 6512 Café. There is a fantastic natural foods grocery called Nature’s Oasis with an onsite bakery and deli that offer delicious and healthy take out options for camping so we didn’t have to cook. Hey – we’re on vacation! Met up with two wonderful new friends – one in Durango and the other in northern New Mexico who we hope to spend time exploring with on future trips.
We camped in the Valley of the Gods (primitive, no facilities), Hovenweep (bathrooms, running water), and Natural Bridges (pit toilets) – all were great. Incredible sunsets, night skies, owls and coyotes. Although there were storms all around us, we we’re very lucky to miss most of the rain everywhere we went. Peter’s lifetime senior pass for the national parks got us some pretty nice campsites for $5/night.
We had reservations for a “backroom tour” at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado - great experience. Lots of amazing artifacts and pottery; very interesting and informative. Also had great maps and info on Canyon of the Ancients, which we explored but barely scratched the surface. The dirt roads were very wet and muddy so our access was limited in some areas. We’ll return soon for more exploration!
After 6 days in the 4 corners region, we started our journey westward to reach our last 2 nights in Springdale where we would meet up with a friend who lives in the area. We left Hovenweep and headed to Blanding to spend a night at the Stone Lizard. We’ve stayed here before with the wonderful hosts, Craig and Kathy Simpson, who have made some really nice additions to the inn, including a delicious, homemade breakfast buffet (included w/room) served outdoors in the newly landscaped patio. Craig loves to share his extensive knowledge of local sites to explore. Further explored Montezuma Canyon. Great burgers at the Patio Drive In and good food at the Homestead Steak House, both in Blanding.
Up early to Natural Bridges. Although we’ve visited a few times, we’ve never had time to explore much. Found a great campsite at the tiny campground which was not full, then hiked the loop to Sipapu and Kachina Bridges – a winding, brushy trail along the bottom of the canyon. Back to campsite for dinner and later enjoyed a bottle of wine beneath an incredible night sky with more stars than imaginable.
Broke camp, headed out to Muley Point for the view, down the Moki Dugway (always fun), and back to Kanab for another delicious meal at Sego. No rooms at Canyons Lodge so we sprung for a fancy room at Canyons Hotel with a big jacuzzi tub. Another lovely evening. Up early to meet our friend, Sue in Coral Pink Sand Dunes, just outside of Kanab. We explored dinosaur tracks, rock art, ruins and cool rocks! We enjoyed a fun evening at Oscar’s with Sue’s family and other friends from St George. Spent the next morning getting our camping gear re-packed, then headed back to Sue’s for a last visit. Peter and I had a good meal at the Bit & Spur in Springdale on our last night. Up the next morning, coffee and scones at Deep Creek before hitting the road back to Las Vegas for a nonstop afternoon flight home.
This was such a relaxed, fun trip. We both really enjoyed the wide open itinerary, great camping, and exploring new territory. But the best part was meeting up with so many wonderful new friends in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Already looking forward to our next trip!
First night was in Kanab at Canyons Lodge – nice room, reasonably priced. Incredibly good meal at the newly opened Sego Restaurant at Canyons Hotel (across the street from the Lodge). A really nice breakfast at Sego is included in the room price. We spent another night in Kanab near the end of the trip, mostly so we could dine again at Sego – and had another incredible meal. The room at Canyons Hotel was fancier but more expensive than the Lodge.
We planned to spend much of our time in the four corners area to visit the Anasazi Heritage Center in Colorado, explore Canyon of the Ancients, and a few sites in northern New Mexico. Also hoped to meet up with some “online friends” who share our interest in exploring Ancestral Puebloan culture (and cool rocks!) We toured Salmon Ruins and Aztec Ruins in northern New Mexico - both very interesting and worth a visit, especially the restored kiva at Aztec. Spent a two nights in Durango at the Downtown Durango Inn. Great location next to the river. Excellent meals at Chimayo and 6512 Café. There is a fantastic natural foods grocery called Nature’s Oasis with an onsite bakery and deli that offer delicious and healthy take out options for camping so we didn’t have to cook. Hey – we’re on vacation! Met up with two wonderful new friends – one in Durango and the other in northern New Mexico who we hope to spend time exploring with on future trips.
We camped in the Valley of the Gods (primitive, no facilities), Hovenweep (bathrooms, running water), and Natural Bridges (pit toilets) – all were great. Incredible sunsets, night skies, owls and coyotes. Although there were storms all around us, we we’re very lucky to miss most of the rain everywhere we went. Peter’s lifetime senior pass for the national parks got us some pretty nice campsites for $5/night.
We had reservations for a “backroom tour” at the Anasazi Heritage Center in Dolores, Colorado - great experience. Lots of amazing artifacts and pottery; very interesting and informative. Also had great maps and info on Canyon of the Ancients, which we explored but barely scratched the surface. The dirt roads were very wet and muddy so our access was limited in some areas. We’ll return soon for more exploration!
After 6 days in the 4 corners region, we started our journey westward to reach our last 2 nights in Springdale where we would meet up with a friend who lives in the area. We left Hovenweep and headed to Blanding to spend a night at the Stone Lizard. We’ve stayed here before with the wonderful hosts, Craig and Kathy Simpson, who have made some really nice additions to the inn, including a delicious, homemade breakfast buffet (included w/room) served outdoors in the newly landscaped patio. Craig loves to share his extensive knowledge of local sites to explore. Further explored Montezuma Canyon. Great burgers at the Patio Drive In and good food at the Homestead Steak House, both in Blanding.
Up early to Natural Bridges. Although we’ve visited a few times, we’ve never had time to explore much. Found a great campsite at the tiny campground which was not full, then hiked the loop to Sipapu and Kachina Bridges – a winding, brushy trail along the bottom of the canyon. Back to campsite for dinner and later enjoyed a bottle of wine beneath an incredible night sky with more stars than imaginable.
Broke camp, headed out to Muley Point for the view, down the Moki Dugway (always fun), and back to Kanab for another delicious meal at Sego. No rooms at Canyons Lodge so we sprung for a fancy room at Canyons Hotel with a big jacuzzi tub. Another lovely evening. Up early to meet our friend, Sue in Coral Pink Sand Dunes, just outside of Kanab. We explored dinosaur tracks, rock art, ruins and cool rocks! We enjoyed a fun evening at Oscar’s with Sue’s family and other friends from St George. Spent the next morning getting our camping gear re-packed, then headed back to Sue’s for a last visit. Peter and I had a good meal at the Bit & Spur in Springdale on our last night. Up the next morning, coffee and scones at Deep Creek before hitting the road back to Las Vegas for a nonstop afternoon flight home.
This was such a relaxed, fun trip. We both really enjoyed the wide open itinerary, great camping, and exploring new territory. But the best part was meeting up with so many wonderful new friends in Colorado, New Mexico and Utah. Already looking forward to our next trip!
Dec 31st, 2015, 05:59 AM
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Hi Sharon!
It's great to hear about your latest explorations. You two know southern Utah much better than I do! It does sound like a relaxing trip. I quite liked Valley of the Gods and Natural Bridges when I finally got to that corner a few years ago. No end to the amazing places.
Happy New Year to you both!
It's great to hear about your latest explorations. You two know southern Utah much better than I do! It does sound like a relaxing trip. I quite liked Valley of the Gods and Natural Bridges when I finally got to that corner a few years ago. No end to the amazing places.
Happy New Year to you both!
Dec 31st, 2015, 01:24 PM
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This sounds like the kind of trip that we would LOVE to take! Thanks for letting us live vicariously through your report.
Isn't Moki Dugway an E ticket ride (if you're old enough to know what that is)?
Isn't Moki Dugway an E ticket ride (if you're old enough to know what that is)?
Dec 31st, 2015, 01:38 PM
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" “backroom tour” at the Anasazi Heritage Center"
We did that when we lived in Dolores; really neat to see all that they have back there. Did you see the 1000 year old moccasin or the really old quiver?
We did that when we lived in Dolores; really neat to see all that they have back there. Did you see the 1000 year old moccasin or the really old quiver?
Dec 31st, 2015, 02:30 PM
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emalloy,
After all these years, I'm sure you know how some people think driving on a mountain road, a dirt road, or a road without guardrails is a life threatening event.
It's definitely not an E ticket, except for the view!
After all these years, I'm sure you know how some people think driving on a mountain road, a dirt road, or a road without guardrails is a life threatening event.
It's definitely not an E ticket, except for the view!
Jan 3rd, 2016, 04:43 PM
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Happy new year to you all!
We always enjoy the Moki Dugway; ice on the road would be exciting! Yikes! We stayed at the Valley of the Gods B&B back in fall 2003 and there were crazy flash floods that turned the VOG's road into a river - http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21346488
The Moki Dugway washed out and was closed for a month. This is a picture of the VOG's road morning after the big rain. http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21362497
DebitNM - We saw the sandal but not the quiver at Anasazi Heritage Center. What an incredible collection and a lot of fun to get a close-up look at all the great stuff not on exhibit.
There really is no end to the amazing places!
We always enjoy the Moki Dugway; ice on the road would be exciting! Yikes! We stayed at the Valley of the Gods B&B back in fall 2003 and there were crazy flash floods that turned the VOG's road into a river - http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21346488
The Moki Dugway washed out and was closed for a month. This is a picture of the VOG's road morning after the big rain. http://www.pbase.com/peterb/image/21362497
DebitNM - We saw the sandal but not the quiver at Anasazi Heritage Center. What an incredible collection and a lot of fun to get a close-up look at all the great stuff not on exhibit.
There really is no end to the amazing places!
