Dear Isaac, Maia, and Virtual Wanderers,
There is nothing quite like waking up to a tent surrounded by Goblins. I enjoyed the walk-in site at Goblin Valley State Park a lot. I got some fun photos of the girls on a short hoodoo, but it looks like they are rock climbing. That was right near our tent.
Once camp was packed up and dogs were fed, we headed to the actual Valley of the Goblins. Last month, Kachina was so sick that I got like 2 photos. Today, we got our chance. The sky was overcast and the weather was cool.
The Goblins are cool hoodoos that formed a long time ago when this region was an ocean. I love to look for shapes in them. I see a Grinch face in this one.
We wandered around for maybe 45 minutes. I was having so much fun. It’s like being on another planet. I found out about this place when the Boy Scout leader made the news for knocking one over, sparking outrage. My graduation trip in 2016 was the first time I visited.
After we left Goblin, we took Utah 24 north to I-70 east. Here is our route for the day. We stopped in Green River for Arby’s. I’ve only had 4 meals out this trip, and 2 were fast food. Sometimes I need a break from birdseed and soup. 🙂
Then back on I-70 to the Highway 191 turn-off to Moab. We are headed to Dead Horse Point – Utah Mini 5 State Park #5 on our journey. It’s 20 miles to the first turn-off, and 17 miles to the park turn-off. Then a few more miles to the entrance. If I could fly like a crow, the Goblins are only 30-40 miles away.
Dead Horse is a favorite. We come every year for my birthday in February. Not to camp, though. It’s too cold in February. I haven’t camped here since my human girls were in high school. It’s always full. I was going to do Green River campground again, but the reservation page said Dead Horse had a site available. One. On Friday night in September. I grabbed it.
It warmed up by the time we got here. Too hot to hike, but we drove to the Point at sunset. Lots of photographers. I got the girls in their iconic pose on the rock. Other than that, photography and dogs don’t always mix. I enjoyed the sky even if I didn’t time my shots well.
Last full day. Tomorrow we head home. I think we will take our scenic route. Hopefully, I can get the blog caught up. It hasn’t published since somewhere between Hovenweep and Navajo National Monument. I think 2 posts may be lost. 3 are waiting to post. And this one I’m writing as an email because my phone is our of storage. Having such rare internet is a challenge.
TTFN, GM Cathy
UPDATE 9.23: I wrote this on the 19th but didn’t have internet or space on my WordPress account (nothing published after Goosenecks until I got home on 9.20 because of connectivity), so I am publishing it today. I am also including an Instagram reel with more photos of the day. Wow! This was one of my favorite days!!!
Traveling Grandma and Her Pup Crew 