About ten years ago I visited Monument Valley on my motorcycle but skipped the Valley of the Gods because it involved a dirt/gravel road. Today, I drove my truck through the Valley and was impressed with what I saw. The only thing I did not like was the washboard surface that nearly jolted the fillings out of my teeth.
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The surprise of the day was the climb up the mountain on Highway 261 as I exited the Valley. It was almost like the Shafer Trail.
If you are mildly adventurous and not afraid of heights, I would recommend renting a 4x4 jeep or taking a tour to the see the back country around Moab. It is an exciting and worthwhile experience.
The Loop was a pleasant departure from the barren landscape that I have been riding in that most of the route was lined with trees which were just beginning to change colors. There were lots of curves and almost no traffic. Note: it was a bit nippy at the top so you will want to dress in layers or stuff a habanero pepper in your shorts.
Two more "must visit" parks in the Moab area. It appears that the best way to see the Canyonlands National Park is via an Off Highway Vehicle. I am going to look into renting a jeep next week.
The Arches is a "must visit" while in the Moab area. It has a very high "Wow Factor". To take some of these photos, I had to hike into the wilderness armed only with a canteen of water and a Twinkie...
It just keeps getting better! The Moab area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts and one of the most beautiful places in the country. Highway 128 follows the Colorado River up to Cisco. Click on photos to enlarge...