Grand Junction to Mexican Hat.

Got up this morning early and packed out bags in Grand Junction and headed off to Utah.  Now..I have realized that there is WAY to much to see in this part of Utah in one day....WAY TO MUCH!  You could spend a day alone at Arches National Park.  But I knew this going in.  So we made our way along the Colorado River to Moab where we had lunch and then hit up Arches National Park.  We only spent about 2 hours there but what a cool place. Most of our time was spent in the Windows area of the park as it is the closest to the entrance.  ( just to give you a clue of how big the park is it takes about 45 minutes to drive from the entrance to the end of the road in the park) Windows is only about 6 miles in.  We did some hiking...in 100 degree weather but it was fun.  One thing I could not believe is people who come into a setting such as this park ..in 100 degree sunny weather..unprepared.  Sandels. No hat or anything to protect you from the sun. No Water.   Just amazing.  Second is I would like to find whoever throws there aigrette butts on the ground there and slap them.  Lack of respect for what is one of the most awe inspiring places I have ever been to.  The beauty and awesomeness of the place over powered any bad feelings about cigarette butts.:)  After the park we headed to Mexican Hat Utah.  We made a stop at the famous Hole N The Rock.  Originally I had planned to take a longer route that takes you down the Mokee Dugway but we nixed that as we were tired and running later then we expected.  We did however make it to Mexican Hat and check in with enough time to take the 20 minute drive to Monument Valley.  Now I have passed through Monument Valley twice before. Both times sunny with a few clouds.  This time there was a large thunderstorm passing through just west of us.  It was really cool the way the clouds played with light on the rocks and the rain falling in the distance.  After that we headed to dinner at The Swinging Steak. JUst down the road from our hotel.  Its a steak joint.  The menu is 3 different kinds of steak served with beans and salad and a huge piece of bread.  The steaks are cooked over a wood fire on a grate that swings over the fire.  Oh and a cowboy cooks it.  It was great and yeah I actually ate some of my salad...don't faint from shock. Well off to bed now we have to get up at 4 am to meet our Navajo Guide to take us into Monument Valley to watch the sunrise.  Thanks for reading!!  Oh and here is a picture of the nice little spot Isiah found in the shade at Arches.