Today we undertook the typical tourist activities around Moab. After the usual chores we headed out to Arches National Park joining a large throng of US and foreign visitors crowding the parking areas within the park to get a good look at, and walk up, close to those amazing stone structures. We have been to this park a number of times but the grandeur never fails to captivate us.

Moving on from the Arches we headed out along SR131 to Canyonland NP. More throngs of people, cars and rental RVs. We know this routine also but never seem to tire of it.

The park is simply spectacular from the initial steep climb up onto the park plateau and its great views of the Moab valley, to the stunning views of the steep switchbacks of the Shaffer Trail, crowned at last by the view down into the heart of Canyonland and the White Rim and its famous 50 mile 4x4 trail.

We will no doubt come back again. Nina registered her vote to come back and drive the White Rim trail again - in a rental Jeep not the ER.

Driving back along the plateau we found a small campground just off the main road. Access was difficult and we chose one of the two remaining of the seven camping spots. As we settled in for the night the sky was darkening and rain looked possible.