Oh, don't confuse Monument Canyon with Monument Basin which is located in Canyonlands - Islands in the Sky; nor Monument Valley on the border of Utah and Arizona.
Anyway, I'll post the map, follow the bright red road on the right hand, central part of the map; I'll post a map of Colorado later, so you can follow the road back to Route 491, or you back track back to the 341/372 junction and decide where to go from there.
Monument Canyon is another beautiful area to travel through; quiet and serene.
At the 1.5 mile mark, I spotted a cave almost at eye level to the vehicle. Even though I was careful to keep an eye out for any animals, I definitely had the feeling of being watched from the area above. There was scat nearby which I knew was not cattle or deer; I didn't wait around to see who its owner was
The next mile and a half is the road winding up and down, around corners, glorious views and a few, "OMG!", but it's more thrilling than it is frightening.
Looking back at where I'd just driven from. |
At mile mark 3, I spotted caves along some ledges; while they might have been good spots for living in, the absence of ruins indicated that the ancient people thought better than that.
At mile mark 4.5 I came up from the canyon to find...farmland! I could not believe that the land suddenly flattened out and farmland stretched on both sides of the road. Two miles more and I reached the junction of CR 348 - State Line; that's right, the border of Utah and Colorado. So, you would think I simply follow State Line Road north and I'll be at Route 491 in no time. Yeah, think again; at the end is a pump jack and oil tanks. Maybe go south, and it will swing around to Route 491? Nope, it dead ends at private property. What the heck!?!
..and so ends that adventure with my dear girl, Jenna. She jumped onto the bed as soon as we got home, and didn't wake up till way past dinner time.
Mary Cokenour
Thanks
ReplyDeleteYou're quite welcome!
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