Days 7-9 Monticello, Utah
Headed one hour south to Monticello, Utah for a couple of days to explore that area. Had our site set up by noon, so we decided to ride down to Bluff, Utah to check it out. Picture is of a coffee shop/gift shop as you arrive in Bluff. Amazing rock formations surrounding the shops.
Historical site Fort Bluff located in Bluff, Utah. Lots of history to learn about the area at this museum. Ancestral Puebloans established the area around 650 A.D. And Bluff City was founded in 1880.
A thunderstorm rolled in on our first evening so we spent it all cozy and huddled in the tent. The next morning we headed up a “mountain road” suggested by a local. This mountain road turned into highway 101. There was a viewpoint that was a must see. Even with the low cloud it was beautiful. And as a bonus, the road up was a great motorcycle road. At the recommendation of a cyclist at the viewpoint, we continued on instead of turning back into town.
This highway turned out to be a backway into Canyonlands National Park and the Needles section of the park…..what an awesome surprise. The rock formations, colors and sediment layers are breathtaking.
Meet ravens Frick and Frack…..at the end of the Needles road we parked our bikes to walk around and check out the views. While we were being tourists, these two buggers figured out how to unzip a pocket in our tank bags and had stuff scattered all over the ground beneath my Rebel.
On Day 2 at Monticello, we planned to explore Mesa Verde National Park and Canyons of the Ancient National Monument. The road through Mesa Verde is actually a designated motorcycle route and it did not disappoint. So many sweeping curves, twisted , and hairpins……and then there were the views. Mancos Valley was magnificent!!! (Check out the video). Canyonlands of the Ancient National Monument turned into a frustrating game of cat and mouse trying to find them between the maps and GPS…..we gave up and headed back to our campsite to relax.
Canyonlands National Park 
Canyonlands National Park 
Tunnel in Canyonlands National Park 
Newspaper Rock
