Dinosaur Museum and Utah 12

On Tuesday we left Moab and headed back south to Blanding to visit the Dinosaur Museum there.  Friends told us how much their son enjoyed his visit, so we added it onto our itinerary. Both kids really enjoyed it, and we learned some new dinosaur facts, so it was a win, win!  

After the museum, we headed west to Torrey, Utah, which is just on the other side of Capital Reef N.P.  There are so many great national landmarks and state parks in the area, so yesterday we decided to head south on Utah 12 (in the jeep) to explore.  First we stopped by Anasazi State Park, where we were able to learn more about the Ancient Puebloans, see some ruins and also check out a recreation of a house.  From there we went down to Escalante National Monument and also to the Petrified Forest State Park, where we went on a hike and were able to see quite a few petrified trees.  On our way back to the motorhome we decided to check out the road known as "Hell's Backbone".  I'm still unsure of why it's named that, I guess I'll have to google it :)  We noticed on the map that there was a lake a bit off the beaten path from the main road, and we decided to check it out. It was such a neat area!  There were lots of aspen trees and a beautiful mountain stream that flowed out of the lake.  McGath Lake was beautiful and secluded (we were the only people there).  If we had our tent and some extra food with us, we would have camped out for the night.  On the way back to the main road, we saw so many deer!  Big Sister has quite an eye for spying wildlife in the woods!  

We were famished after our long day, so we stopped in Boulder to eat at Burr Trail Grill, which is a great local restaurant that sources local, organic ingredients for the meals they serve. It was so good!  Definitely the best meal we've eaten on the trip!!

We are headed out to explore Capital Reef today!

 

 

 

 

 

petrified wood

An entire petrified tree!

 

McGath Lake