In the spring of 1993, after living in CO for ten years, I decided to move home to OH. My dad had been diagnosed with cancer and 1300 miles just seemed too far away. But my sister Kim gave me great advice. She said, “He’s doing fine. Before you head home, you should work at a ski resort and do a road trip like you’ve always talked about.” Dad lived another 27 years, passing in 2020 at the age if 93; no regrets about moving home : )
Thus, after a season at Keystone, I started on a scenic route back to OH. Over a few months, I drove about 18,000 miles; visiting many friends, national parks and baseball fields along the way. My road trip got off to an amazing start in Utah…
Sincerely,
Natural Bridges National Monument
This Utah gem is far enough off of the beaten path that few of the visitors that head to Arches or Canyonlands make the two-hour trip south from the Moab area to see it, yet it’s one of the best stargazing spots in the country and the only place where you can find three natural bridges in such close proximity. Hike right up to these stunning rock formations—among the largest natural bridges in the world—then pitch a tent at a campsite on the edge of the park’s canyon for a starry, magical desert experience.
State(s): Utah
Established: 1908
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Greetings from Natural Bridges National Monument
My son and I set up camp on a high plateau overlooking the distant sandstone spires of Monument Valley. We look forward to our all-day hike through Natural Bridges, where three sandstone formations rise high across a very narrow canyon of dark pine-laced cliffs bearing small ancestral Pueblo ruins tucked…
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