When we were RV’ing we often explored in our truck the area around whatever current RV park we were staying in. We did this more at the beginning of our adventures when our dog Maggie enjoyed riding in the truck and less so toward the end after she developed severe travel anxieties. Often we found our 8 ft wide and 21 ft long dually-truck wasn’t an optimum vehicle for doing scenic tours in…a disadvantage of 5th Wheel RV’s…you need a heavy-duty truck. However, when in the western US, such as in the photo above, that wasn’t a problem. There’s lots of space, open roads and many HD trucks.
The photo above was made during explorations while we were camped at Gouldings RV Park and Campground, near Monument Valley, Utah in 2016. We’d pulled off the road to stretch our legs at what looked to be a small unofficial parking spot for local ATV and dirt biker’s and this was the scenery. While I’m a tree and green grass type of person if you can’t have that then this isn’t too shabby. :-)
An amusing side story about Gouldings RV Park. The park is unique with lots of history and it’s set among huge red rock formations broken up by only a few trees the park has planted. On one of our days camping, it became quite windy which quickly turned into a thick red dust storm. The red dust particulars were so fine they could penetrate almost any seam and I swear we were still finding red dust in our rig two years later. It was certainly a place we can never forget, for many reasons.
Oh, I know this place. Mexican Hat! We’ve stopped here a few times. Wish I was there now…….
Paul, so good to hear from you! I’m not a bit surprised you knew this location. Yes, I’d like to be there now too. :-) Perhaps one day in the not too distant future.
I hope you and Barbara are doing well. I thought you guys might be doing a south-western spring trip this year?
Funny you should mention that. We were all set to head out there in March when circumstances forced us to cancel. First time we’ve missed a Spring trip to the southwest in 8 years! Too late now, tough. It’s getting a little warm out there. I read some of the comments on your Facebook page. I still find it hard to believe that people prefer grass and big leafy trees to red rock and cactus. Seems like a pretty obvious choice to me!!
Well even us green and leafy types can’t deny the astonishing beauty and majesty of the southwest. I certainly hope to get back and see much more of it.
I remember visiting Monument Valley but I don’t recall this particular formation. Still, I was rather taken with this location and would certainly like to go back. I like what you did with your image by the way, beautifully done.
And it’s nice to see you again, Paul. I hope you and Barbara are well.
Cedric, as Paul noted in his comments above this image is the Mexican Hat Rock Formation which is about 23mi northeast of Monument Valley, UT, on Hwy 163, the main road through the area. Just a little farther northeast of the Mexican Hat Formation is the Valley of the Gods, UT, which has somewhat similar rock formations as Monument Valley but is less visited by tourist and therefore less crowded. Both are definitely worth a visit. Thanks for the comment about the image…a rock on rock texture effect seemed appropriate. :-)
Love the way you processed this image.
Thanks, Monte. I was pleased how this turned out.