Farewell Colorado, hello Utah!

Day 5 From Westminster CO to Moab UT

After waking around 8, we started to pack up our belongings before having breakfast. A quick tidy of the Airbnb and it was time to bid farewell to Westminster and Colorado and head to Utah.

Today we were driving 360 miles west down to Moab, Utah. As we headed away from the City and crossed into Clear Creek County, we noticed signs alerting us to a 'Stage one fire ban, no open fires or discharging of firearms allowed - it did indeed look very dry in the area. We stopped for fuel at a Valero where there was cute little old fashioned country store where we could grab a drink for the road. Our journey took us past several towns with mines that looked like they were part of 'Big Thunder Mountain' ride at Disneyland!

 We skirted the bottom of the Rocky Mountain National pack and reached the West entrance and Grand Lake, The trees were beginning to change and we started to see fairly large patches of Aspens turning golden. Continuing on passing lots of small water falls by the side of the road around Idaho Falls area, into Copper Mountain and its Ski Resorts, our journey was truly stunning.

The Colorado River run alongside us for most of the journey, and after entering the White River
National Forest we decided to stop to take in the view and eat a picnic of cheese and fruit in Gleenwood Canyon.

Continuing on after our short break the landscape changed from forest and mountain to Mesa. Another stop for fuel, - this time at a 'Loves' - we soon were crossing the State line into Utah and pulled into the scenic viewpoint.

A short but step pull up in the heat we were rewarded with spectacular views across Harley's Dome.

Back in the car, and turning South towards Moab, the drive took us passed stunning red rock formations interspersed with bands of orange and green from the mineral deposits. We drove passed the 'Moab Giants' rock formation and then down into Moab Main Street before arriving at the 'Silver Sage Inn' where we were staying for 2 nights. A fairly basic motel with only 18 rooms that turned out to be incredible clean and comfortable, and by Moab standards it was fairly affordable.

We unpacked and walked down Main St, after checking out the food truck park, where unfortunately most where closed as it was a Sunday, we stopped at the Peace Tree cafe to share a hummus Platter for a late lunch.

By the time we walked back towards the motel it was around 6.45 and as per normal we just so happened to be a short walk from a Brewery. We headed in to Moab Brewery we were given a wait time of 45 minutes, no problem we were able to pick up a few groceries and take them back to the room before our table was ready. They had a fantastic range of veggie foods, we were spoilt for choice, but not feeling very hungry we had the veggie chilli and dinner roll, (In Utah you have to by law, order food before you are allow alcohol).

Paul tried the 'over the hill' Hefeweisen  whilst I decided to forgo alcohol and opt for the house made root beer, delicious. Walking back we got to see a fabulous sunset before heading off to bed.