Colorado River Canyon along SR-128 east of Moab, UT

Colorado River Canyon along SR-128 east of Moab, UT

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Colorado River Canyon along SR-128 east of Moab, UT

This travel adventure consist of a Scenic Drive east on River Road (SR-128) that follos the Colorado River.

When in Moab you should also take the scenic drive on Potash Road (SR-279) along the northern side of the Colorado River to the Potash plant 15-miles west of Moab.

We are staying in OK RV-Park & Canyonlands Stables 3310 Spanish Valley Drive 435-259-1400. OK RV-Park & Canyonlands Stables is a Passport America PPA Campground and PPA members can stay for 1/2 price. We are PPA members so our price was $15.50 per-night.

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There are multiple commercial campgrounds in Moab. All of them appear to be good or at least adequate------no slums anyway. We decided to stay in OK RV-Park & Canyonlands Stables 3310 Spanish Valley Drive 435-259-1400 because it was a PPA park thus 1/2 price. Even at half price it was $15.50 per-night for FHU with 30/30 amps and cable included. Most RV-Parks in the area are going to be around $25 plus a stiff tax. This park had some shade so we picked it but the nice Spanish Trail RV-Park has nice shade as well and both are within a mile of each other. All of the parks in Moab appear to have gravel interior roads and sites.

Since we are in Moab we need to know a little about it. Moab was first settled in 1855 by the Elk Mountain Mission of the Mormon Church. Less than 5-months later, three members of the party were killed by Indians and the settlers fled, abandoning their holdings.

The next permanent settlers came in 1878. A Post office was established in 1879, and Moab was given its name, probably from a Biblical source. Finally in 1890 Grand County was created with Moab as the county seat.

Cattle and sheep grazing were the main economic activities until the 1940's. Then, occasional mining turned to a boom as Moab became capital of the the western Uranium mining boom which lasted into the 1960's with a revival in the 1970's.

Since the 1980's recreational pursuits have come to dominate Moab's economy. Long connected with Colorado River travel and freighting, this historic crossing has become the "Gateway" to some of Utah's most unique scenery with river activities on the Colorado River (rafting, kayaking and sightseeing), mountain biking, jeep and off road vehicle excursions into Canyon Country along with visiting Canyonlands & Arches National Parks attracting tourist to this region.

 

 

Sandstone bluffs created by the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

Sandstone bluffs created by the Colorado River

 

 

 

This is a good view of the Colorado River along with the picturesque sandstone cliffs that have resulted from the River relentlessly eroding downward through the rock layers.

 

 

Sandstone cliff along the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

Sandstone cliff along the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are heading east on SR-128 along the Colorado River to Fruita, Colorado (Grand Junction) and the Colorado National Monument.

 

Canyon carved by the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

Canyon carved by the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

 

 

 

The SR-128 scenic drive east along the Colorado River is exciting in the Saturn but the excitement factor increases when negotiating the myriad curves and roadcuts in our motorhome. This is one of the roadcuts that left me thinking "it would have been nice if engineers had cut a little more rock out of that curve". Amen!

 

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Canyon carved by the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

Canyon carved by the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is another place where I think it would have been appropriate to remove more of the rock from that road cut. Thankfully, there wasn't much oncoming traffic and I could cheat on the yellow line.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roadcut along Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

Roadcut along Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, I cheated on this corner. I really think I would have clipped the rock if I had stayed in my lane.

 

 

 

Scenic Route Utah, SR-128 along the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

Scenic Route Utah, SR-128 along the Colorado River east of Moab, Utah

 

 

 

 

This view is pretty typical along SR-128. I suppose that is why it is a designated Scenic Route.

 

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America, Save 50% on Campsites

 

 

 

 

 

These are some of our other Travel Logs in this area:

Arches NP-a ** Arches NP-b ** Arches NP-c ** Arches NP-d ** Arches NP-e ** Arches NP-f ** Arches NP-g

Scenic Drive through Sandstone Cliffs ** Scenic Drive along Colorado River ** Scenic Drive through Canyon ** Historic Dewey Bridge

Fruita, Colorado ** Scenic Drive along Potash Road in Moab ** Scenic Drive through Colorado River Canyon ** The John Wesley Powell Museum in Green River, Utah

Sandstone Cliffs of Colorado National Monument ** Wingate Sandstone of Colorado National Monument ** Kayenta Caprock in Colorado National Monument

Sandstone Tunnels in Colorado National Monument ** Fault in Colorado National Monument ** Grand Junction & Fruita, Colorado ** Volcanic Ash of Colorado NM

Driving US-191 from Blanding to Moab, Utah ** Geology along US-191 south of Moab, Utah ** Moab, Utah visitor center flowers

Until next time remember how good life is.

Mike & Joyce Hendrix

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Until next time remember how good life is.

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Mike & Joyce Hendrix

Mike & Joyce Hendrix

 

 

 

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Until next time remember how good life is.