Utah with Connie and Karen

Karen and Connie started out for the bottom of Sipapu bridge, but decided they got a clear view of the bridge without going all the way down.

I stayed back, not sure of "ladders and ropes." Interesting that I could hear the two all the way to their stopping point, and get pictures of them off in the distance.

We had decided that we weren't at Goosenecks at the right time. The sun was in the wrong position, so we'd go back later...which we never did. We wanted to go back into Valley of the Gods to find "The lady in the bathtub." We didn't do that either, but upon leaving we spotted a picturesque spot of the wash at the exit of VoG. We must have spent nearly an hour doing what we do best: rock hunting.

If I remember correctly, we got to play Canasta at least twice. But the first time we played, somebody (not mentioning any names) started a second set of 7s. That's when we realized we weren't playing with enough decks. So into town we go, searching for a store that might sell a deck of cards. The K&C Trading Post came through for us. Connie paid the $6 for the deck, which was only right since SHE was the 7s piggy.

Without realizing it, we had gone full circle, ending our trip where we had begun. Sand Island was an unexpected treasure. We had packed out, loaded the car and on our way out of town when we decided to stop in and check out the hiking trail that led to the river's edge. It was a perfect way to end a perfect trip.

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No doubt, we had many, many memorable experiences on this trip, but I think one that will stand out the most is rounding the corner in the tour van and seeing the moon rising against "The Hand." Did we not all gasp?

We had exhausted our restaurant options in the tiny town of Bluff, and the only one left was Comb Ridge Eat and Drink. Outdoors. Surprisingly, we couldn't have picked a better place for our last meal of the trip. The ambiance, the waiter Charles, the photo bombers at the next table...it all came together for a wonderful experience. Connie and Karen had wished their fried ravioli was better, but, despite that, it was a very memorable evening.

What an absolutely fantanstic trip we three gals had on a visit to some of the most spectacular scenery in our country. Utah's Monument Valley and that entire area, in fact, is filled with one picturesque view after another.

We enjoyed God's masterpiece both individually and as one. We shared a reverence that was often only whispered. Many times it was simply unspoken.

But it was more than just the scenery that we relished. Every day was filled with laughter, good food and wonderful company. The only disappointment was that a couple of other peeps couldn't join us...oh, and maybe the breakfast at the lodge.

This page is for my two travel partners. Thank you for making not just the destination so fun, but also the journey. And thanks for the photos you contributed to this page.

So here we are, three peeps at our first stop, Sand Island, just a few miles outside of Bluff. It was an unplanned stop, having not even known about it. But it turned out to be one of our favorites and one we would be going back to. Sand Island is a campground with a launch site into the San Juan River, a huge panel of petroglyphs and an easy hiking trail.