I am so much enjoying flipping through my Moab pictures as I write this post, reliving recent wonderful times with friends. While there, we were grateful to be offered a ride into the backcountry where high clearance vehicles were required. Our friends Dave and Sue kindly drove us into some spectacular scenery in their Jeep (named Rocky) that they had enjoyed previously. Onion Creek Road, located off of highway 128, was our destination. The road winds through a narrow valley, crossing Onion Creek approximately 30 times (according to the official score tabulated by Sue and myself).
The contrast of colors and textures in the diverse formations was amazing. And if you’re into geology, this link gives more detail about these fabulous formations.
After several hours of gawking at the jaw-dropping scenery, we topped off our day with some wine tasting at Castle Valley Winery.
Doc Harry and Chris, whom we met during our Viking River Cruise last October, arrived in Moab a few days later. This time we played host and took them on a scenic drive that did not require a high clearance vehicle. Forty-four mile long highway 128 is also known as the “River Road”, for it runs along the Colorado River with 2,000-foot red rock cliffs rising on both sides. We had driven it several times before, and taking Harry and Chris was a great excuse to revisit this gorgeous scenery that we never tire of. The river corridor offers a spectacular view of world-class climbing destination Fisher Towers, and Professor Valley where several movies have been filmed.
On days when everyone was doing their own things, Steve and I did one last hike on the Portal Overlook Trail. The day was overcast and windy, but we still enjoyed the sweeping views of Moab Valley, the south portal of the Colorado River, a glimpse of Arches National Park and the distant La Sal Mountains. This trail mirrors the Stairmaster Trail on the eastern side of the river, but is more exposed, with sheer drops up to several hundred feet. Another gem of a hike in this area!
With our friends also camped at Portal RV Resort, we enjoyed several happy hours and scrumptious dinners:
And with that, we bid goodbye to Moab as we move on to new explorations and adventures!
Lowes Travels 
What a wonderful place shared with wonderful friends. I love the pictures of me, MonaLiza, you’ve got the idea now 🙂 I think Onion Creek “road” is one of my all time favorites, it was such fun sharing it with you two.
Ha ha ha, you are so funny Sue 🙂 I know I finally got the memo.
Spectacular! and those meals were made with lots of love too 🙂
Thank you, friends made all these adventures worthwhile.
WOW! Beautiful scenery and great fellowship, you can’t beat that. Plus, you have pictures to remember it all!
Lots of beautiful pictures, lots of memories!
Oh, I can only imagine what a treasure trove of both that you have!!
I agree with Sue…the colors you see on Onion Creek are beautiful! Great fun!
And we never got to see you and Joe:(
Onion Creek is such a fun drive especially with all the water crossings. Glad you got enjoy it with Dave ans Sue. Looks like your friends had a great intro drive to see some spectacular scenery. Lots of fun times and good food and drink with friends:)
With wonderful friends we always get to see spectacular scenery, thanks to jeep people like you too!
The colors and textures of southern Utah have just blown us away. Your photos say it all. We can’t wait to explore Moab. Hopefully next year….
Oh yes, and when you do stay for a month in April but before the jeep event. Lots to see and do, Moab will keep you busy.
Scenic drives, hikes, happy hour and meals with friends! Doesn’t get much better than that! That looks like a low country boil straight from coastal Georgia!
Yup, you got that right, Moab is yet another excellent gathering place for friends. And the country boil is yum !
So much fun, sharing good times and good food with good friends! Your photo of Fisher Towers in the shadow of La Sal Mountains looks like a postcard. But you were too close to the edge on the Portal Overlook Trail for my peace of mind! 🙂
If Steve pushed me then that would not be fun 🙂 Moab is such a camera hog and of course I obliged.
Your photos are stunning MonaLiza! It would be difficult to choose a favorite place in Utah. Everywhere you turn there is breathtaking beauty.
I love your photos of Moab. One of the most beautiful places on earth. I’m glad you got to enjoy it with friends. Happy Travels!
Beautiful header picture of Moab Valley. Wow! Some camera you have. The Moab area really is a fantastic spot for a jeep or other high profile 4WD. Wish we had one. Glad you had friends to take you. Your pictures are really fantastic, the scenery incredible. The color in your photography is outstanding as is that picture of Steve and the one of you overlooking the river. Moab really is a camera hog and you definitely did it justice. Great post!