Red Canyon, dinosaurs, and petroglyphs

We headed toward Flaming Gorge, more exactly the Red Canyon that overlooks the river.  First, the usual cows in the road.

Then turkeys.

Then the fabulous view of the Red Canyon.  The morning was slightly overcast, a shame because these walls can glow red in the sun.  A look up-stream, down the deep canyon.

Then down-stream.  Want proof these walls are high?  That tiny white spec is a good sized motor boat and it's wake.

Next we took a 16 mile detour to the Sheep Creek Geological Area.

Amazing formations.

Determined to see it all, next we drove to the Dinosaur National Monument.   This is an area full of dinosaur bones, dating back to the Late-Jurassic period,  about 147 - 155 million years ago.  The region is full of bones of all 4 major types of dinosaurs, plus 250 species of plants, and clams, snails, crayfish, insects, salamanders, frogs, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, and small mammals.   Although many of the bones have been excavated, a complete wall of rock, still full of fossils, has been designated a national site and saved for future generations.  Some of the dinosaurs are more or less complete.

There are birds.

And jumbles of bones.  Many of these leg bones are much larger than I am tall.

Further down the road in the park is a large wall of petroglyphs.  Here is one little group of natives and animals.

The most famous is a 6 foot long lizard.

He is actually joined by several more, smaller lizards.   And Luke.  The plaques ask that you please not touch the ancient petroglyphs, but they are simply unprotected.  No, of course we did not touch them.

Last, a local flutist.

We ended the long day with a great Mexican dinner and a little Wal-Mart'ing.  Back to the RV at 10:30, we were up early today to drive the 250 miles south to  Arches National Park.  We'll start exploring Arches, Canyonlands, Needles, and maybe Mesa Verde from our little red-clay camp site in the Dead Horse Point State Park.  More tomorrow!