Friday 8 June

A quick breakfast and packed and we were off by 9.30am going north on the 191. We asked in Reception and they said there was a mail box just up the road but we couldn’t find it so we stopped at White Mesa and went into the ‘Travel Center’ which is in effect just a small store. It had some PO Boxes and what appeared to be a mail box so we posted all our postcards. We wait to hear whether any will arrive.

In Blanding a little further north we went into the Visitor Centre, which in terms of information etc was one of the nicest we’ve come across. A very helpful lady gave us a map and suggestions of things to do on route. We had a quick look around their nice small museum and used the restrooms.

About 20 miles on we got to Monticello. Here we filled the car, had a coffee and then used the car wash to give the car a better clean. Over coffee Anne was able to have a long chat with Tracey. Les tried to phone Joyce to see if she’d followed up his message, but there was no answer.

From Monticello we took a scenic route to Newspaper Rock as recommended by the lady in the Tourist Centre and it was a very pleasant drive. We came back on a more direct route, the 221, on to the 191 and then a few miles further on we took the side road to Needles Viewpoint. This is at the end of a 22 mile cul-de-sac. By this time we realised we weren’t going to find anywhere for lunch so we just ate a banana each and some water.

Who but the Americans would build a 22 mile road to a viewpoint? On the way we came across a couple of deer by the roadside, but weren’t quick enough to get pictures. Naturally when we got to the overlook we found toilets in the car park. The overlook gives views over a cliff face several hundred feet high into the Colorado Valley. It’s easy to forget that, in American terms, we’re fairly close to Lake Powell and the Glen Canyon Dam. Fortunately it’s only a short walk from the car park to the viewpoint, as it was around 33C by this time, although there was a cooling breeze at some points. Back down the cul-de-sac and northward again on the 191. 

We stopped to photograph Wilson Arch, but there didn’t seem to be much point in joining the people who’d climbed up to the opening - it’s the one place where you can’t see the arch. We had hoped to stop for a quick snack before Moab, but there was simply nowhere on the road In the end we grabbed a apple juice and a cake at a gas station on the approach to Moab.

The Super 8 is on the 191 on the northern outskirts, so we were able to see the whole town as we drove through. Luckily we were given a ground floor room. There is a ‘Denny’s’ on the far side of the car park, but if we can’t eat there we’ll have to drive back into town.

After unpacking we went straight to the laundry room and put our washing on. While this was doing, we downloaded photos etc. The wifi is reasonable, so we’ll be able to send emails later.  Laundry was fine but the rest of the evening wasn’t quite so good.

We started by intending to go to City Market - a Safeway type store in town. We put in the address in the satnav and set off. It was only about two miles down the road. A short way on we saw a billboard saying Village Market 1.5 miles on right. When the satnav told us we’d arrived we couldn’t see the store because we were looking on the right. We carried on and a little while later found the Village Market. We bought our stuff there including bread and cream cheese for tomorrow’s lunch, but we weren’t over impressed with the store or the staff. On the way back we found the actual City Market which was there the satnav said but on the other side of the road to where we’d looked. We went in anyway and found that the store was far better and we bought a few more bits.

Back at the motel we walked across to Denny's. This was our second mistake. The food took 45 minutes to arrive from when we entered, and then it was only Les’s meal and Anne had to wait even longer - Les was two thirds of the way through his by that time. Anne’s omelette and hash browns was ok but Les’s meal was lukewarm and the steak wasn’t very nice. A shame because we’ve eaten in Denny's a few times before and it’s been fine. At this one even the staff weren’t particularly enthusiastic or welcoming.

Back in our room we watched a half hour BBC documentary before going to bed.