Vernal, Utah

Hit the local Farmers Market.  Not very busy for Labor Day Weekend.

Moonshine Arch
One of Vernal's best kept secrets only 8 miles outside of town.  The massive arch is about 85 feet in length and about 40 feet above the ground.

Molly's Nipple

Met up with our neighbors Gregg & Doris

We entered the park on the Utah side.

The region contains the largest known concentration of dinosaur fossils in the world.  Nearly 750,000 yearly visitors and tourists, will tour Dinosaur National Monument.

The Bone Quarry is inside.

Can you spot the lizards?

The Fremont people made these petroglyphs about 1,000 years ago.  Though it is not known what the petroglyphs mean, one thing that is known is their makers did not have to spend all their time struggling to survive.  The large lizard likely took months to complete.

We always seem to see something that looks like Santa Claus.

Josephine Bassett Morris
A local legend.  She lived life on her own terms.  It is here that she chose to settle in 1914.  Josie built several cabins on her homestead, the last being the one you see today, constructed in 1935.  Josie provided for herself.  She raised and butchered cattle, pigs, chickens and geese.  She canned the harvest form her large vegetable garden.  Josie's source of heat came from wood burning in the fireplace.  Her water came from the spring.  There was no electricity, her light came from an oil lamp.  Josie lived a 19th century lifestyle well into the 20th century.  Josie was accused (though not convicted) of cattle rustling twice and was an alleged associate of the outlaw Butch Cassidy.  Married five times, she ultimately chose a single life.  Josie made her home here until 1964.  Passing away at the age of 89.

Chicken coop

Box Canyon

Most of the Monument land lies northeast of the quarry.  We took the "Journey Through Time" auto route through rugged canyons and wilderness areas providing us majestic views.

Lots of grouse in the area

When we exited the park we were in Colorado.

This is where we said good-bye to Gregg and Doris.

Haplocanthosaurus

Allosaurus

Fantasy Canyon
Some of the most unique geologic features in the world.  The site was first documented in 1909.

Pronghorn

Wild horses

Lunch time