Balanced Rock – Colorado National Monument (not the only one on this trip)
Colorado National Monument - The California Move Day 1
Juliet and I recently moved from Colorado to California. In the spirit of adventure we decided to spend 5 days driving across the American West to experience red rock canyons, monoliths, Vegas, and several national parks.
Only Vegas failed to blow us away and in all honesty it never really had a chance. This drive and its story are told in our photos which make my best words on my best days seem so insignificant. I highly suggest clicking on the images to see full size.
Colorado Canyon from the Car Window
As we descended the peaks of the Rockies in western Colorado we were greeted with scenes from the great Westerns of my youth. Even at 75 mph Juliet was able to capture what it looks like when Mountain slide off the end of the earth.
Vista from Colorado National Monument
Colorado National Monument is a place rather than a thing. We had no idea what it was and decided to enter the park on a lark. The amazing things to see here should be on everyone’s list; however, we seemed to have the entire place to ourselves.
Tunnel – Colorado National Monument
Climbing at a steady and significant pace from the vista point we enjoyed driving through the center of the monumental red rocks.
Fallen Rock Wall – Colorado National Monument
Coming out the other side we see what remains of a once solid wall of rock that encircled this canyon.
Cloud Patterns – Colorado National Monument
At the visitors center we were treated to a series of compelling cloud patterns that always bring us joy.
Clouds in Black and White – Colorado National Monument
Independence Monument – Colorado National Monument
The geological highlight was of course the spectacular Independence Monument. If you would like another view of its enormity check my Facebook photo here
Desert Bighorn Sheep – Colorado National Monument
Imagine our excitement to see these amazing desert bighorn sheep up close and personal. We lived in Colorado over 1 year and sought the company of sheep on numerous occasions, never finding them till our last hour in the state. What a beautiful parting gift.
Our First Utah Sunset
As we crossed the state line on our way to Moab, Utah Juliet captured this stunning final image from our first day.
Stay tuned tomorrow for Moab and Arches National Park
….and now adding Colorado to my bucket list of places I must visit….it’s gorgeous!
you really must! Colorado is one of the most beautiful places on the planet
Amazing photos on this road trip. I especially like the clouds. I’m not sure which one is my favorite the black and white, or in color. They are both amazing.
very kind of you Guat! I am a cloud guy for sure.
Beautiful pics … and seemingly a fitting tribute as you are leaving one home for another.
thank you sir! It is a big shift
These are beautiful!
thank you!
Just love the images!! When we were in California, we decided to skip Las Vegas and go to Joshua Tree NP near Palm Springs instead…no regrets!! And what I understand from your telling, you agree
Can’t wait to see more of your pics 
thank you! Yes, Joshua tree is high on the list but was not conducive to our N Cali arrival on this journey. We chose Death Valley and it was amazing (Day 4). How are things in Piemonte?
Would love to see Death Valley and Yosemite NP one day!! In Piemonte it’s really rainy these past few days…grrrr….don’t like it. But if I’m not mistaken, it should be sunny tomorrow. Keep my fingers crossed
Have a lovely evening Michael.
thanks! We are what 10 hours apart now? So far from my beloved Italia
It’s true…9 hours. Have a lovely day I should say then….hahaha. Here it’s already evening. So strange! When are you planning a trip back to Italy? Anyway, time flies so before you know it, you’ll be enjoying Italy again!!
It looks like September of next year and hopefully we will spend at least 3 weeks in your part of the boot! 2 months total in Europe
Wow, can’t we do a switch…you both in Europe and we in California…
that depends on where we live at that time next year
we likely will have all our things in storage rather than pay rent while we are in Europe…however, you are always welcome to visit us while we are here…cheers to you and good ideas!
Cheers
Fabulous photos! What a trip. I love the cloud photos…
Thanks Susie! You know I am a cloud guy
When is the next use me and abuse me day?
One of the things I wanted to do so much before I left was collaborate one of those days with you. Add some crazy production stuff and shoot a full on music video with you, Danny, and the Dog
I had the last Use Me and Abuse Me Day at the end of August so I am due! Maybe next week…
Putting together a video would have been fun. Roxy would have loved it!
Roxy is a bad ass!
She is! You should check out tomorrow’s post. She steals the show!
will do
Majestic. Makes everything else in the world seem insignificant, doesn’t it.
that is why I will always seek out the natural beauty…keeps me grounded ( a little)
It’s so nice to have you back in WordPress Land, you’ve been missed!
Thanks Elisa! Good to be back. Hard to blog and adventure at the same time so this time I let the experience be the priority
I’ve done that drive a couple of times. It’s so awesome! Great pictures!
thanks for camping RR and for the support as always
Beautiful! I haven’t been to Colorado National Monument yet, but I know I will enjoy it when the time comes!
it was a wonderful surprise!
I recently visited the Grand Canyon and what an awesome sight that was. Now from your beautiful pictures I guess I am going to have to visit these sights. Thanks for sharing.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
not to far from GC! Great to see you as always
Foto fantastiche…MERAVIGLIOSO VIAGGIO, complimenti orofiorentino
grazie orofiorentino!
Spero di vederti qui spesso
We so much would like to do a road trip. This is wonderful inspiration
this is a great one..make sure you have plenty of fuel if you do it
Love these pictures. Coming from [flat land] Illinois, I’m always in awe by the topography in the western states. (The desert bighorn sheep are cool though too!)
thank you Diana! This was a very cool experience
Everyone should make this drive at least once. The blue sky – the vastness – the geology and scenery. It’s all a giant movie set for real!
I agree! This was such an indication for me of what it must have been like for those that went west before highways and trains must have experienced
That second shot is amazing! It looks like silken sheets are draped ever so delicately over the mountains. Nicely done.
thanks, that was Juliet’s, she sees things more beautifully than I can even imagine them
So true – Vegas can’t hold a candle to the creations of nature. Stunning.
in fact it just reminds me how futile our attempts at grandiose actually are