I did say that I would post what it's like to be at George Rock on a sunny day; previously it was about a cool, cloudy day. Of course, this is Dry Valley and desert, so it will be hotter; takes lots of water when hiking around. Ok, back along Route 211 to that dirt road that goes to George Rock aka Alligator Rock.
Come on, use that imagination, don't you see the alligator?
Down the western side, and before making the turn along the southern side, you'll see metal debris which could possibly belong to that bomber plane that crashed. The stone debris could possibly have belonged to the Home of Truth group. More information was mentioned in the cloudy day post about all this. Look back and forth to the photos and compare what the area looks like under clouds and in bright sunlight.
Looking back towards Route 211
Stone Foundation and Windmill
Possibly debris from bomber plane that crashed. Be careful poking around, we found two midget faded rattlesnakes taking a nap underneath.
While a passenger car can slowly get to this point, making the turn eastward and traveling the dirt trail along the south side (where the alcoves are) is best left to a 4-wheel drive vehicle. There is more metal debris, even an old fashioned wood burning stove/oven; also wooden debris which might have been a building at one time. Be careful as you walk around; hidden in a hole might be a sleeping midget faded rattlesnake; this is the desert and the wildlife here is best left alone.
Wood Burning Oven/Stove
Midget Faded Rattlesnake
Plantlife Growing in Crevices
There are short trails that lead up to the alcoves; there is evidence of camping, but to see the eastern side, hiking is required....that is where the arch is located also. That's correct, an arch just a little ways off of Route 211; but the entire George Rock area is wonderful for hiking and exploring, so don't go just for the arch.
Mary at the George Rock Arch
There is a Red Tailed Hawk in the area, more than likely with a nest; she kept a vigilant eye on us the whole time we were hiking around the front and back sides of the arch.
Roy hiking up the backside of the arch.
Backside of George Rock Arch.
Church Rock - side view and I still say it looks like Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars.
Going to Canyonlands National Park - Needles, Newspaper Rock and the Indian Creek Valley is fun, scenic and picturesque; but there is so much more to do along Route 211 than that. Make sure hiking and exploring around George Rock is on that to-do list.
Seven years have gone by since Roy and I moved to Monticello. While we've been happy, for the most part, to say it was challenging is an understatement. We still have struggles, but we face them together; and we've developed several friendships with locals that have helped us keep our sanity.
I predicted that within ten years this town would change, and it has slowly and surely. New larger businesses are Maverik, Family Dollar, Spower Wind Farm and Canyon Country Discovery Center; some smaller businesses are Paca Pantry (Alpaca products and more), Door No. 3 (florist and gifts), Draper's Auto Repair and Towing, Desert Stone Studio (my husband's venture into videography, animation and editing). The new City Council and, still acting, Mayor (Tim Young - owner of Main Street Pharmacy and Gifts) acknowledge that business growth is needed to keep this small town viable.
Proudly I can say that many new citizens have moved into the area due to what they have read on this blog. Tourism is up, and I know many visitors have come, once again, due to this blog. Now how can I say this? Well, they tell me! I've met many of them, and I'm not shocked anymore to see my blog on someone's phone or tablet.
There are still citizens here that live in a time warp bubble; as far as they're concerned, it's still the 19th century when the first pioneers settled in San Juan County. Their children's children, however, have a more modern view mainly due to all the technology and internet of the 21st century. Monticello will continue to change as more "outsiders" move into the area; as more businesses open; as more visitors from all over the world come to experience this part of the Southwest. Oh, that term "outsiders" is one that those born and bred here call everyone else; then again, what small town doesn't do that?
So, why should you consider visiting Monticello, or even moving here? Real blue sky that goes on forever; stars at night that shine as bright as diamonds; the moon so large that you can't help but reach up and try to touch it; air is clean and crisp with the scent of sage; open land as far as the eyes can see...need I go on? Alright, I will then...how about the definition of a traffic jam out here? Three pickup trucks in front of you and no passing lane; much more preferable than a backed up major highway through an overcrowded city full of dirt, pollution and wall to wall people. Peaked your interest yet?
Lets take a photographic tour of the town...
North Entrance - Welcome Sign and Canyon Country Discovery Center.
View of town from Young's Machine Shop.
Junction of Highways 191 (North/South) and 491 (East/West)
North Main Street
Monticello Library
San Juan Record - Local Newspaper which I write food articles for thanks to owner, Bill Boyle.
Veterans Memorial Park
Traveling east along Route 491 will bring you into Colorado; only a 20 minute ride to another state! Westward is Blue Mountain Foods (local grocery); local elementary and high school; San Juan Hospital and Clinic.
Highway 491 East.
South Main Street
Shops Along South Main Street.
San Juan County Building - Monticello is the County Seat.
This is where I work, so stop in and say "Hello!".
Monticello Welcome Center, Frontier Museum, Big 4 Tractor Building
Looking northward from the Welcome Center.
Looking southward from the Welcome Center.
Hideout Golf Club and Community Center.
Panorama View of the Golf Course from the Community Center balcony.
Hideout Golf Course.
Leaving Monticello along South Route 191, the Monticello Millsite Memorial, with walking trails, will be on the left. This was dedicated to all those workers, and their families, who became ill due to the effects of uranium exposure and poisoning from the Monticello Uranium Mill.
Continuing south on Route 191 are the small towns of Blanding and Bluff; outside of Bluff, continue onto Route 163 for Mexican Hat, the San Juan River and finally Monument Valley. As you can see from the photos, I wasn't lying about the blue sky and open landscapes.
...and for your viewing pleasure, Monticello Utah - Main and Center; the Video!
After seven years, I've finally seen and held a Desert Horned Lizard (aka Horny Toad).
...and yes, there are rattlesnakes here in the desert. Utah has the Midget (aka Pgymy) Faded Rattlesnake which is very deadly; about 10 to 20 minutes before you're a goner.
Video of Midget Faded Rattlesnakes c/o Desert Stone Studio.
In the Manti-La Sal National Forest
is an elusive creature, the Abert's Squirrel; well I finally saw, not one, not two, but three! It's at the lower elevations, and we found these on the forest road (FR 085) which passes by Devil's Canyon campground.
I've still to capture a Golden Eagle on camera, but here's a Red Tailed Hawk in flight.
...and who doesn't love the Praying Mantis? The ones I've seen out here are slightly larger than the ones back on the East coast.
Living out here in the Southwest, I've been able to see and experience places and things that I never thought I would. Luckily, I have the best companion in the world, Roy Cokenour; my husband, bestest friend, cohort and co-conspirator, fellow adventurer and explorer.
Three more years Monticello, three more years to give my prediction of change more to go on.
Mary Cokenour
Note: Roy is currently working on a video of Monticello and will be posted on here asap.
I did say that I would post what it's like to be at George Rock on a sunny day; previously it was about a cool, cloudy day. Of course, this is Dry Valley and desert, so it will be hotter; takes lots of water when hiking around. Ok, back along Route 211 to that dirt road that goes to George Rock aka Alligator Rock.
While a passenger car can slowly get to this point, making the turn eastward and traveling the dirt trail along the south side (where the alcoves are) is best left to a 4-wheel drive vehicle. There is more metal debris, even an old fashioned wood burning stove/oven; also wooden debris which might have been a building at one time. Be careful as you walk around; hidden in a hole might be a sleeping midget faded rattlesnake; this is the desert and the wildlife here is best left alone.
There are short trails that lead up to the alcoves; there is evidence of camping, but to see the eastern side, hiking is required....that is where the arch is located also. That's correct, an arch just a little ways off of Route 211; but the entire George Rock area is wonderful for hiking and exploring, so don't go just for the arch.
