Valley of the Gods, in Utah -- 1st Camping Trip of 2014

It was a beautiful April weekend, for our trip to Valley of the Gods, in southeast Utah -- our first camping trip of the year.   I was excited to see the place, and camp there, since I had never been before -- even though it's only about 3 hours from our house in Durango.  Alan had been through there on his motorcycle, but hadn't stayed to camp or hike.

It's not as famous as Monument Valley, Grand Canyon, or Garden of the Gods -- but, it is every bit as awesome.

Valley of the Gods is a 50 square mile basin, full of impressive sandstone spires, buttes, and towers.

We drove the 7-mile dirt road loop, through the formations, and found a place to camp, about 1/2 way in . . . 

We camped in a spot with a 360 degree view, which was spectacular!

Took two good hikes in the backcountry -- miles and miles of red rocks.  So quiet, peaceful, and out of the way.

We came upon lizards . . . and lizards eating lizards!

Full of stillness and solitude -- and definitely off the beaten path!

We did have to deal with a crazy sandstorm that blew through on Friday night (one of the disadvantages of being in a place with a 360 degree view).  The tortilla chips got crunchier -- unfortunately, so did my wine.

The Indian Paintbrush and Mariposa Lilies, and other wildflowers, were blooming.  Spring is such a great time to camp and hike in the desert!

Nothing better than finding water in the desert!

There was red dirt on and in EVERYTHING!

This used to be a black dog . . . 

We headed out on Saturday, finishing the 7-mile loop of Valley of the Gods.

Here's our slideshow of the Valley of the Gods -- (music is "The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly", by the California Guitar Trio).

After leaving the Valley of the Gods, we headed north on Hwy 261 (Trail of the Ancients).  We soon had to climb Moqui Dugway, a road which ascends 1200 feet in just 3 miles -- with crazy switchbacks, which were kinda scary.  But, the truck and camper did great -- made it with no trouble at all.

On Saturday, we found a good, quiet, protected campsite on the west side of Comb Ridge.

Another hike on Sunday morning, before heading home . . .