Thursday October, 7th 2010

Got up at 4 o’clock. Quickly a cigarette in front of the door and – oh wonder – there are stars to see. That can only mean clear visibility and the best conditions for the sunrise. Next fag a little later and… no stars and the trees opposite disappear also so slowly in the fog. That’s it with Bryce Canyon. At 7 o’clock we drive again to the gate. You can see about 25m away. Turn around, check out and pack. 1.5 hours later last try. No chance! Visibility still below 50m. So off to Moab.

The drive leads over Capitol Reef and Goblin Valley. With every mile to the east the weather is getting better. Finally sun. In the evening in Moab it should be 26°. That’s right!

Goblin Valley is a relatively unknown national park. It is also not under BLM care and therefore no chance with the Annual Pass.

Now you can not complain about 7$ per vehicle. Masses of hoodoos that somehow look as if they had been put together with plasticine in kindergarten.

A visit is only worthwhile if it is on the route. Going there separately is not recommended.

Last stop for today is Moab. Since we arrive relatively early, it is worthwhile to go again briefly to the Arches National Park. It is only 7 miles outside of Moab and so we can look around in the Windows Section one hour before sunset.

The little fellow was sitting at the front of the park entrance sunning himself.

The hour is quickly up and the sun has disappeared. With a tripod there is still something.

Afterwards with an empty stomach to the Pizza Hut and with a full stomach out again.