World United States Utah Capitol Reef National Park

John and Doris, 2008, Awaaay we go!

Needles Outlook, Newspaper Rock, Capitol Reef NP Aug 14, 2008

August 13, 2008 – Needles Overlook and Newspaper Rock, Capitol Reef National Park Another day another rock. I can’t begin to tell you how beautiful this country out here is. Needles Overlook is a view from above into the Needles part of Canyonlands NP. It was about a 50 mile drive from our campground to the overlook but it was worth the trip. John and I went early in the morning and when we got to the overlook there was no one there. We value the quiet, there are so many places in these National Parks that are so crowded and so noisy with people talking or yelling. So, it was a pleasant morning just to see nature without the many voices. On this overlook you can see for miles and miles. After the Needles Overlook we headed to Newspaper Rock. This is another place where you can see petroglyphs, but in this case they are all in one relatively small place. Unfortunately this place has been defaced by graffiti. Still you have to marvel at the artwork. Does it tell a story or not? 8/14/2008 -- Capitol Reef National Park. We simply drove through Capitol Reef National Park. While the park is a good size, unless you are a very good hiker, you will just drive through this area. More rocks but these are almost weird. There are many folds of rock and as you enter the park from the east to the west the rocks start out a shade of gray and as you travel through the park they change color and finish with a red color. Since you are traveling through the canyon, rather than the plateau, you can almost imagine that you are traveling through a reef. Strange and lovely. Camped that night in Torrey, UT. Which is just outside the park.

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