The stretch of US Highway 191 that connects Moab and Arches National Park to Monticello and the Canyonlands Needles District is reasonably pretty, with its Hole-in-the-Rock, Wilson Arch and Church Rock stops, all centered around La Sal Junction, the next town south of Moab, according to the map. In reality, it/s nothing but an intersection with a couple abandoned buildings.

The drive between the two parks is relatively short, a couple hours at most. But on my 1997 drive, rain came in first thing in the morning. And I knew that I wouldn/t want to set my tent up in the rain. I killed some time in Moab getting a nice sit down breakfast - and getting caught up on the news (Lady Di/s funeral, Mother Theresa/s death).

I finally hit the road. I decided to check out a few places on my way to the Needles district, hoping that the sun would eventually come out that day. It didn/t.

First stop, the Needles Overlook, a place that probably has a great view of Canyonlands, but not that day. Rain was in the way.

Second stop, Looking Glass Rock. It turned out to be another Arch, one that reminded me a lot of Wilson Arch along the highway.

Final stop, La Sal and the Lisbon Valley. Pretty, but subdued in rain.

By the time I got back to US 191 and on my way, the rain had stopped. I got to the campground at Needles just as the sun finally broke through the clouds.

Mark Wasson, http://www.markwasson.com > Trips has detailed summaries of my trips