4. Utah boondocks
(not necessarily redundant)
We left Moab reluctantly,
but we knew we had more adventures ahead of us, and to get to them,
we had to get across the San Rafael Desert. This isn't a bit deal,
since Interstate 70 so conveniently
does the trick. This formation of folded sedementary rocks is called
the San Rafael Swell.
A view of the eastern edge of the San Rafael Reef, taken from a scenic
turnoff.
The uplifted and folded rocks are called a swell, while the
leading edge is called a reef.

Approaching the eastern edge of the San Rafael Reef, heading west on
I-70.

I-70 roadcut through Black Dragon Canyon

There is a scenic viewpoint on the other side of the reef, with handy
informative signs.

I got a nice rock sample from the bottom of the ocean, and didn't even
get my feet wet.
There were several scenic pulloffs along this stretch of interstate,
and we stopped at
every one of them. If you're really into informative highway
department signs (like I know
Randy is), click below on "Joe and his Dog" (which has nothing to do
with Claymore.)





Above
and below, Interstate
70 westbound across the western edge of the San Rafael Swell.



Our destination for the evening - the fine Bumbleberry Inn in
Springdale, Utah.
No, I don't know what a bumbleberry is.
Next...Into
the Narrows of the Virgin
- © 2007 Brilla Nucleonics Imaging Systems Division