Today it was on to Natural Bridges National Monument via the always impressive Monument Valley.

After a lunch stop at Goosenecks State Park overlook it was a three mile gravel road climb with 10% grades and constant switchbacks.

The seasoned, 22 yr. old Senorita (Eurovan), handled the climb strong in second gear.

A stunning drive through Cedar Mesa, Grand Gulch and Moki Dugway on the edge of Bears Ears National Monument – or what use to be Bears Ears until our current President stole it from the National Park Service and blatantly gave it to his oil and gas cronies.

Hiking the three natural bridges (Sipapu, Kachina and Owachomo) involved a steep ascent deep into the canyon, including 3 wooden ladders, unveiling a geological treat.

All three bridges were formed by the erosive action of moving water scouring through sandstone, different from the way arches are formed, which is mainly by frost and seeping moisture. The area is surrounded by cryptobiotic soil that looks like a black lumpy crust, but holds moisture, stabilizes and adds nutrients to the soil for vegetation to prosper.

A lovely and quiet camp under a gadzillion stars. I find these smaller national monument and national forest campgrounds more compatible with my travel mojo – no hookups, no water and pit toilets – less people and few big rig RVs.