Well, going stir-crazy from the pandemic Frenchie and myself made plans for this trip in February right after our second vaccine dose. The plan. Fly into Denver to procure supplies and drive down Interstate 70 through the mountains to Moab. Wanting to take our time we planned stopovers at Glenwood Springs coming and going to Moab to keep a leisurely pace.

We attempted to find a place in the western suburbs of Denver to pick up supplies but the place we went to was Med only. It is tough finding things in metro areas even with the GPS and Weedmaps and what have you. We gave up on that and decided to head to Idaho Springs a tourist town without the hustle and bustle of a suburban area and fewer streets to get lost on.

Believe me this is going to me my plan of action for future Colorado adventures.

I also wanted to try Beau Jo’s pizza since we were there. The reviews are raves and I agree.

We had rented a convertible for our trip and while it was nice and warm in Denver and in the front range. Just ahead of the continental divide way had to pull over on the highway to put up the top to keep the snow out. Ha!

We found reasonably priced accommodations at Hanging Lake Inn. We did have to lug our luggage up the stairs. It was clean save for a much needed carpet refresh. I personally think most hotels would fair better with floor coverings other than carpet.

We had dinner that night at Riviera Supper Club and Scratch Kitchen and it was a quite satisfying. We split an order of Prime Rib. I topped it off with a Chef’s Shifty. Care to make one at home? Here’s the ingredient list.

There might be more scenic interstate drives but I have not been on one that compares to I70 through the mountains. West of Glenwood Springs begins the transition from mountains to mesas.

Up early in the morning to make our way to Moab. Mountains gave way to otherworldly mesas. Before long we were over the Utah border.

In researching this trip I had read many hints that taking 128 would be better than taking I70 to 191. Choosing this route I can’t complain that I was led astray. It took us deep into the red rock canyons of the Colorado river.

We make it into Moab and get in line to enter Arches National Park. I was excited because this was my first opportunity of what I hope will be many more of using my America The Beautiful Lifetime Senior Citizen pass. I waited quite some time for this. 64 years! Although you only have to be 62. Which is something I found at at Acadia National Park in 2019.

When we went they did not have reserved entry for Arches. They do now. So, just don’t show up without getting a reservation.

Not to far into our drive into Arches it struck me that…

I can see why they’d lead with Arches. I mean it would be a tough sell to get a place designated a National Park if you played up the phalluses every where angle.

In the course of our visit I found cause to use the pit latrine in the national park. They provided this handy list of instructions. Some of these seem to go without saying. I know as clumsy as I am I would never attempt to stand on the toilet.

After Arches we checked into the Inca Inn in Moab. This was reasonably priced accommodations for Moab and by that I mean it was outrageously expensive for a faded old school motel but was still hundreds cheaper than most anyplace else in Moab. You have been warned.

We went all out for our dinner going to the Sunset Grill .

It was a great view and the menu item pricing reflected a premium for that view. But we had been eating light and had soup and an appetizer instead of a full meal but with drinks the bill was north of $70. I must add that I had a fancy drink.

We capped off our evening taking another ride back into Arches. This park is open all night and you definitely beat the crowds. The stars put on a spectacular show. Then time to return to our lodging to rest up for tomorrows adventure.

Up next… part 2 Canyonlands