In the Vermillion Cliffs

15.10. Shortly after waking up, we're ready to go. We have a somewhat long drive to Page ahead of us, where we have organized another Jeep to bump along to the Vermillion Cliffs, our lucky place.

We leave Carlito with the rental company in the driveway, we just pack what we need for this one night. We fuel up at Big John's BBQ one more time and then we're off. The dirt road is actually more of a sand road - there's no stopping or you risk getting stuck. Roman gets to drive the 4-wheel drive this time and he does a great job. Once we arrive, there are about twice as many cars and people as there were 6 years ago. But most of them are just day visitors and will drive back on the same evening. We immerse ourselves in this fantastic landscape and wander through it for 3 hours. Since I don't edit my photos (I once swore to myself not to start with that on top of all my hobbies!), I stop shooting at sunset. Roman stays outside longer and takes great pictures. I set up our tent and make myself comfortable in the Jeep with an audiobook, a glass of wine, and orange chocolate - it has gotten quite chilly!

Afterwards, we slip into the tent and cuddle up to each other, it's really cold. Additionally, Roman's patched sleeping pad finally gives up the ghost. He has a rather uncomfortable night with little sleep.

16.10. He's already up and about at sunrise, being the photographer that he is. I stay in bed a little longer and enjoy the warmth of 2 sleeping bags on top of each other ;)

Afterwards, I prepare breakfast for us and make tea. Roman returns in the sunshine and we eat together before we start our journey back. There's still a slot canyon on the program that we would like to visit halfway. The relatively short hike is popular, but we find a cozy spot in the canyon for our lunch break.

Back in Page, we can't resist and have ribs and apple cobbler at Big John's again - it's just too good!

Since we're a bit ahead of schedule, we start the drive towards Moab and make it to Monument Valley by sunset, what a riot of colors! We sleep in Gouldings where we have dinner at a campsite and then make ourselves comfortable with a lovely kitty in Carlito. She finds our sleeping bags quite comfortable and purrs us to sleep.