Road Tripping to Bears Ears

After months, and some cases years, of planning, four of us loaded into a rented SUV and headed south.  Soon we were joined by a fifth friend, and headed souther...

 (selfies suck!)

First stop, a bridge over the Dirty Devil River... (as always, click on the photos to enlarge, especially the panos).

Then down the canyons and up over Cedar Mesa.  We stopped again at the Moki-Dugway overlook, before descending the twisty dirt road off the Mesa into the desert flats below.  A bit of Valley of the Gods can is on the left, and Monument Valley in the distance.

We crossed this territory hell bent for Bluff and the Bears Ears Visitor's Center, forgetting it was a holiday therefore closed.  Oh, well...  We checked into the Recapture Lodge (infamous! and very cool if rustic).  Then it was off to the Gooseneck State Park.  For 5 bucks a car, we got quite the thrill!  Again, that's Monument Valley in the distance.

Driving back to Bluff, we stopped at Dukes for dinner,  Curious place, part of a modern motel complex.  Limited service, no wine (damn it!), but the food was delicious.

Finally, back to the Recapture and some needed rest.  The next day would find us exploring more of this part of Southeastern Utah.