We were intrigued by the description of El Santuario de Chimayo along the High Road to Taos and decided to pay a visit. The National Historic Landmark is a popular pilgrimage destination within the United States, and also the home of "magical healing soil" credited with curing the afflictions of many.#WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #chimayo #HighRoadToTaos #ElSantuarioDeChimayo #NationalHistoricLandmark #nps #pilgrimage #MagicalHealingSoil #HealingSoil #camping #glamping #goRVing #RVing
I'll admit that it is hard for me to pass up seeing a waterfall - even if it involves hiking to get to the viewpoint. We chose the "dry option" to get a view of the falls at Nambé Falls Recreation Area.#WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #DayTrip #nambe #NambePueblo #NambePuebloRecreationArea #waterfall #waterfalls #hiking #hike #nature #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #camping #glamping #RVing #goRVing
As we started exploring the area around Taos, we noticed a sign for the Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument. Great views from the bridge and lots of people enjoying a weekend afternoon on the river!#WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #RioGrande #RioGrandeDelNorte #NationalMonument #rafting #hunting #fishing #hiking #biking #MountainBiking #camping #picnic #OptOutside #OptOutdoors #glamping #RVing #goRVing #nature
We made a last minute change to our plan when we learned that no tours would be offered (and no photos allowed) at Taos Pueblo due to a one-day festival. So glad we waited a day so we could learn the history and more during a guided tour.Fun fact: Most members of Taos Pueblo occupy their Pueblo homes only during ceremonies. They live in modern homes with electricity and running water outside the walls of the village as neither are allowed within Pueblo walls.#WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #RanchoDeTaos #TaosPueblo #pueblo #NativeAmerican #unesco #NationalHistoricLandmark #history #GuidedTour #adobe #camping #glamping #goRVing #RVing
A visit to the 200+ year old San Francisco de Asis Church in Ranchos de Taos made many of the city's "must see" lists. It is the only intact original church in Rancho de Taos and surrounding areas. #WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #RanchoDeTaos #church #chapel #CatholicChurch #catholic #SanFranciscoDeAsis #SanFranciscoDeAsisChurch #religion #HistoricLandmark #NationalHistoricLandmark #architecture #history #camping #glamping #RVing #goRVing #adobe #AdobeChurch
We are not big anglers (or even small anglers!), so a stop at a fish hatchery is not a stop that we commonly make. Since the Red River Fish Hatchery was just a short distance off of the road, we decided to check it out. Interesting!#WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #questa #RedRiver #angler #fish #fishing #trout #RainbowTrout #GoneFishing #hatchery #FishHatchery #TroutHatchery #RedRiverFishHatchery #RedRiverTroutHatchery #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
During our drive between Hooper (Colorado) and Taos (New Mexico), I did a search for interesting things to see along the way. I came upon the Rio Grande Gorge Bridge, so we decided to make a quick stop.Fun fact: The bridge was nicknamed "Bridge to Nowhere" in the early 1960s when funding ran out for completion of the bridge! (It was finished several years later.)#WordyExplorers #NewMexico #taos #RioGrande #RioGrandeRiver #RioGrandeGorge #gorge #RioGrandeGorgeBridge #RioGrandeGorgeStatePark #BridgeToNowhere #bridge #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
We spent the better part of two days relaxing in the hot spring waters of the adults-only Greenhouse at Sand Dunes Recreation. We actually got in the pool nicknamed "The Coffin", the hottest of the pools, for a bit. We spent most of our time in the two other small pools - still hot but not as hot!#WordyExplorers #colorado #hooper #SanLuisValley #SandDunesRec #SandDunesRecreation #TropicalOasis #TropicalEscape #DesertOasis #HotSprings #TheGreenhouse #AdultsOnly #SoakingPools #TherapyPools #RestAndRelaxation #RandR #rejuvenation #camping #glamping #RVing #goRVing
After enjoying the natural hot spring waters at Sand Dunes Rec a few years ago, we knew we wanted to visit again. Last year we returned, but instead of making daily drives to the "oasis", we reserved an RV site just steps away. What a perfect way to spend more time in the naturally hot waters.#WordyExplorers #colorado #hooper #SandDunesRec #SandDunesRecreation #DesertOasis #HotSprings #SoakInHotSprings #SoakingInHotSprings #natural #RestAndRelaxation #RandR #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping #cabins #lodge #RVlife
When we realized that there was a hot spring in Ouray, we had one more reason to visit the Colorado town. We spent our time soaking in the adults only Overlook Pool (106 degrees during our visit). Although it would be cooler, the "snowy" view in winter would be awesome!#WordyExplorers #colorado #ouray #MillionDollarHighway #HotSprings #OurayHotSprings #OurayHotSpringsPark #OurayHotSpringsPool #soak #SoakInHotSprings #SoakingInHotSprings #relaxation #RestAndRelaxation #RandR #SulfurFree #camping #glamping #goRVing #RVing #OptOutdoors #OptOutside
We saw the sign for Box Canon Falls and I immediately remembered a long time friend suggesting that we visit if we were ever in Ouray. So glad for the recommendation and happy that we paid a visit!#WordyExplorers #colorado #ouray #BoxCanyonFalls #waterfall #waterfalls #nature #CanyonCreek #UncompahgreRiver #bridge #hike #hiking #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #HikingTrails #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping #gorge #canyon
Made a photo stop to see the mountains and the old mining town of Ouray, Colorado down below!Fun fact: The city of Ouray got its name from a chief of the Ute tribe.#WordyExplorers #colorado #ouray #MillionDollarHighway #US550 #DayTrip #RoadTrip #ScenicDrive #ScenicOverlook #overlook #ScenicView #viewpoint #PhotoStop #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
While driving along Colorado's Million Dollar Highway toward Silverton, we passed a lookout that had quite a crowd. It was a stop that I knew we had to make during our return drive - and I didn't even realize that the big attraction was a waterfall!#WordyExplorers #colorado #ouray #MillionDollarHighway #US550 #SanJuanHighway #BearCreek #BearCreekFalls #waterfall #waterfalls #DayTrip #RoadTrip #camping #goRVing #RVing #glamping #nature
The drive between Montrose, through Ouray and on to Silverton, Colorado was breathtaking. What was a mining town in years gone by, the cute town of Silverton is now a National Historic Landmark District!#WordyExplorers #colorado #MillionDollarHighway #montrose #silverton #ouray #MiningTown #gold #silver #GoldMining #SilverMining #mining #NationalHistoricLandmarkDistrict #DayTrip #RoadTrip #camping #glamping #goRVing #RVing
A drive along Colorado's Million Dollar Highway came highly recommended, so we devoted part of a day to see why. The mountain scenery along the road between Silverton and Ouray was truly breathtaking!#WordyExplorers #colorado #ouray #silverton #MiningTowns #MillionDollarHighway #MillionDollarHwy #Highway550 #US550 #Hwy550 #ScenicDrive #RoadTrip #DayTrip #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
When driving to the south entrance at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, we noticed a road off to the right. We asked some questions and learned that the road was paved and would take us to the bottom of the canyon, so we drove down the winding road before leaving the park!#WordyExplorers #colorado #montrose #BlackCanyon #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnison #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnisonNP #NationalPark #NationalParkService #nps #GunnisonDiversionDam #dam #DayTrip #camping #goRVing #RVing #glamping #twwt #trlt
We missed two of the scenic overlooks on Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park's South Rim Drive on our first pass. The good news was that we found parking on our return drive and visited both Dragon Point and Painted Wall.#WordyExplorers #colorado #montrose #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnisonNationalPark #BlackCanyon #GunnisonRiver #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnisonNP #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnison #SouthRim #SouthRimDrive #ScenicOverlook #overlooks #DragonPoint #DragonPointOverlook #PaintedWall #PaintedWallOverlook #OptOutside #OptOutdoors #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
After making stops at most of the overlooks in Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, I had an urge to do a little hiking. We chose Warner Point Trail and were rewarded with some great views!#WordyExplorers #colorado #montrose #GunnisonRiver #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnisonNP #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnison #BlackCanyon #WarnerPoint #WarnerPointTrail #hike #hiking #StepGoal #OptOutside #OptOutdoors #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
Stop after stop, the views from the overlooks were incredible along the South Rim Drive at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park!#WordyExplorers #colorado #montrose #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnison #BlackCanyon #GunnisonRiver #NationalPark #NationalParkService #nps #SouthRim #ScenicDrive #RimDrive #overlook #overlooks #ScenicOverlook #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping #OptOutdoors #OptOutside
Colorado's Black Canyon of the Gunnison was the last of the national parks that we'd visit on our extended road trip. We finally understand how the park got its name!#WordyExplorers #colorado #montrose #BlackCanyonOfTheGunnison #GunnisonRiver #NationalParkService #nps #NationalPark #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #camping #glamping #goRVing #RVing #RoadTrip #RVtrip #GreatOutdoors #TheGreatOutdoors
Had fun hiking along the one-mile loop reading our trail guide as we went along. So many pieces of petrified wood in the state park - each with a theory about its age, location, etc.#WordyExplorers #utah #escalante #EscalantePetrifiedForestStatePark #EscalantePetrifiedForestSP #PetrifiedForest #PetrifiedWood #hike #hiking #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #DayTrip #RoadTrip #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
What a great day driving from Capitol Reef National Park through the Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument. Although we didn't hike through the national monument, the scenery was still beautiful from the overlooks!#WordyExplorers #utah #DayTrip #GrandStaircase #EscalanteNationalMonument #EscalanteGrandStaircase #NationalParkService #nps #ScenicByway #Utah12 #SR12 #landscape #nature #cliffs #SandstoneCliffs #canyons #SlotCanyons #camping #glamping #goRVing #RVing #RoadTrip
During the first few weeks of our RVing journey, when we mentioned visiting Capitol Reef National Park, two different couples recommended a day trip to Goblin Valley State Park. We are so glad that we listened and spent a day exploring this unique park that was once described as "Mushroom Valley".#WordyExplorers #utah #GreenRiver #GoblinValleyStatePark #GoblinValleySP #GoblinValley #MushroomValley #DayTrip #landscape #geology #erosion #hiking #camping #RockFormations #sandstone #glamping #RVing #goRVing #OptOutdoors #OptOutside
In our quest to explore more of Utah, we drove about an hour to the northwest of Capitol Reef National Park. It was there where we spent some time driving and walking around Fishlake National Forest. It was easy to see why the lake and trees (and free entrance) draw visitors to the forest!#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #FishlakeNationalForest #FishLake #lake #MountainLake #forest #NationalParkService #nps #nature #fishing #BirdWatching #aspen #AspenTrees #DayTrip #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #goRVing #camping #RVing #glamping
Once again, we chose not to do the entire hike, but just to get a sampling. Loved the scenery along the short part of the Fremont River Trail that we did complete - the river, the cliffs and even the horses!#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #CapitolReefNationalPark #CapitolReefNP #CapitolReef #MightyFive #hike #hiking #fishing #picnic #FremontRiverTrail #FremontRiverGorge #FremontRiver #WaterpocketFold #OptOutside #OptOutdoors #camping #glamping #RVing #goRVing
We had no idea that there were orchards within Capitol Reef National Park ... and better yet - ripe fruit is available for picking and sampling. Our visit last year was during apricot season ... I want my next visit to be during cherry or peach season!#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #CapitolReefNationalPark #CapitolReefNP #CapitolReef #MightyFive #NationalParkService #nps #NationalParks #fruita #orchards #MulfordOrchard #harvest #fruit #upick #apricot #apple #peach #plum #cherry #pear #camping #goRVing #RVing #glamping
We always enjoy looking at petroglyphs and trying to imagine what message those who drew them were leaving ... and those beside the boardwalks along Utah-24 at Capitol Reef National Park were no exception!#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #CapitolReefNationalPark #CapitolReef #CapitolReefNP #MightyFive #NationalParkService #nps #NationalParks #petroglyphs #FremontCulture #FremontCulturePetroglyphs #camping #goRVing #RVing #glamping #OptOutdoors #OptOutside #archaeology
We loved the view from Goosenecks Point in Capitol Reef National Park. So glad that I was able to convince Scott to drive on the dirt road (and even gladder that it was a short and not difficult drive). The view of Sulphur Creek twisting through the canyon was amazing!#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #NationalParkService #nps #CapitolReefNationalPark #CapitolReefNP #CapitolReef #PanoramaPoint #GoosenecksPoint #canyon #SulphurCreek #goosenecks #SunsetPoint #hike #EasyHike #trail #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
We didn't have enough time (nor energy) to hike the entire 3.5 mile Chimney Rock Trail, but we enjoyed hiking the first part of the trail. The shorter hike gave us views of the spire from different angles than we saw from the road.#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #TorreyUtah #CapitolReefNationalPark #CapitolReef #CapitolReefNP #NationalParkService #nps #ChimneyRock #ChimneyRockTrail #hike #hiking #spire #NaturalSpire #RedRock #camping #RVing #goRVing #glamping
Without even getting out of the car, we got a taste of nature at its best by driving along Utah 24 inside Capitol Reef National Park!#WordyExplorers #utah #torrey #CapitolReefNationalPark #CapitolReefNP #CapitolReef #MightyFive #UtahMightyFive #NationalPark #nps #NationalParkService #Utah24 #ScenicDrive #ScenicDrives #TwinRocks #FlutedWall #TheCastle #castle #nature #NaturalBeauty #MotherNature