Things in the distance are bigger than they seem

One thing that keeps hitting me is the sheer scale of this place.

The long way to Moab

One of those occasions when turning the sat nav off (I never tire of shouting at sat nav lady that it's 'calculating root' not 'calculating rowt') and following my nose proved inspired. I should have just sat on US50/I70 freeways and pointed West. Instead I took the long way round, travelling down US141 through a small place called Gateway, then heading across the Paradox Valley into Utah.

From mountains to red rocks

Leaving the high mountains behind after my long trip up the Million Dollar Highway, I arrived in Grand Junction to a different world. The temperature difference was massive for starters. From the air-conditioned comfort of my car I had no idea how hot it was until I got out to get some fuel (body + car). Even late evening when I arrived the heat just hit me like a wall. With no nice shady spots or lakes to hobo camp out in I caved and booked into a motel with air con.