The Girl with Orange JEEP - On the roads of Utah

The Girl with Orange JEEP - On the roads of Utah - Home of Jeeps!!

Well, I had this post title drafted 7 months back, when I bought a Jeep Wrangler (it's Sunset Orange color) and my friend suggested that I should write a blog "The Girl with Orange JEEP". But I did not feel like writing the post. Just to brag that I got a Jeep, and which I have just been using to drive to - from Office or Grocery stores or Malls - Naaah!! Would be insulting the spirit of Jeep!

But today, I am more than excited to write this blog. Yes, about the Girl with an Orange Jeep and her experience on her first long drive; that too to the home of Jeeps - Utah!!

Well, I call my Jeep - AROHAK. (Arohan means Climbing in Sanskrit; Arohak means one who climbs)

The maximum distance that I drove till then was to a mall 19 miles from my home - 20-25 minutes drive - that was it.

So, there were just 2 things I wanted to cover in this trip.

1. Drive my Jeep the entire trip.
2. Photography of Utah Landscape/Arches during Sunrise, Sunset and Night for Star trails.

Below items I backpacked as Photography essentials.

1. Blanket, Jacket
2. Bandaids, Alcohol wipes
3. Compass, Carabiners
4. Pocket Knife
5. LED Headlamp
6. Sunscreen spray
7. All-In-One Survival Credit Card Tool
8. A Nylon Rope, Raincover
9. External Battery Pack, AAA/AA Batteries
10. Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM Lens (With Tiffen UV filter + Circular Polarizer + Lens Hood) - Wide Angle Lens for Landscape Photography
11. Neewer LCD Timer Shutter Release Remote Control - For Star Trail photography
12. Canon 50mm Prime Lens - Just in case, to click Portrait stills of my friends.
13. Tripod
14. Canon Speedlite 430EX II Flash - Backup in case light plays around.
15. Lens cleaning kit.
16. Canon T3i - Camera body of course!

Here was my backpack.

Other than these, rest were all travel essentials like Comfortable yet stylish clothes, Cap, Shoes, Food, Toiletries etc... packed in another bag.

We started from Denver at 4 PM MT on Friday 5/27. Stopped at 711 close to our apartment and got the cars fueled.

Route Map -

1. Denver, CO to Vernal, UT

i. 5/27 - Friday - 4:00 PM MT - Started from Denver, CO. It was bright and sunny.

Then there came heavy rain (flash flood kind)...

Then there was snow....This can happen only in Denver...

ii. 5/27 - Friday - 11:00 PM MT - Entered Utah

This route was very remote, so if you are hitting this path in the night, do plan to pull over and watch the night sky - standing under hemisphere of shining stars, serene and peaceful.

iii. 5/27 - Friday - 11:45 AM MT - Reached hotel in Vernal, UT

2. Vernal, UT to Flaming Gorge Dam + Red Canyon (Boating)

i. 5/28 - Saturday - 7:00 AM MT - Woke up, walked around the hotel, had breakfast and checked out of hotel.

ii. 5/28 - Saturday - 11:00 AM MT - Started from Vernal, UT

Drive to Flaming Gorge

iii. 5/28 - Saturday - 12:00 PM MT - Reached Flaming Gorge Dam, Did Boating for couple of hours, Had lunch, started at 4 PM MT to Moab, UT.

Flaming Gorge Bridge

Flaming Gorge Dam

3. Red Canyon to Moab, UT
i. 5/28 - Saturday - 4 PM MT started from Red Canyon, UT.

On the way explored a dirt road drive..

ii. 5/28 - Saturday - 9:30 PM MT Reached Moab, UT

This route had some crazy roads up the mountain. There were steep grades, and real crazy U bends. Got some good real time driving practice up there.

4. Moab, UT - Day 1 - 5/29 - Sunday

i. Wake up at 3:30 AM MT. Started from the Ranch at 4:00 AM MT towards Canyonland National Park.

ii. Reach Mesa Arch Trail head Parking lot at 5:10 AM MT

iii. Reach Mesa Arch at 5:28 AM MT. Setup the camera and wait for sunrise.

I had read in one of the blog that there will be enough photographers to block the front line. I still thought that I had a pretty decent start; but SURPRISE SURPRISE!!!! I got the corner seat :-(

Everyone has their camera set, awaiting sunrise.

iv. Watch the sunrise, click pictures, Enjoy the view until 7:00 AM MT

Click from iPhone. My camera pictures are yet to be processed.

Must say, its worth the effort of early morning wake up and the wait.

v. Headed back to the ranch at 7:15 AM MT; Reached at 8:30 AM MT.

vi. Caught up some sleep and rest; had brunch and headed out to Arches National Park at 2 PM MT.

vii. Covered few view points, Arches
a. Balanced Rock

Haha...That's me! Its places like these which make you feel so tiny!

From Parking lot of Balanced Rock view point.

b. Fiery Furnace

c. Sand Dune Arch

View from Sand Dune Arch

Sand Dune Arch

d. Delicate Arch, Devil's Garden

We did not hike the Delicate arch, a click from it's Lower view point

The first arch you see from top left is Delicate arch.

viii. Headed to North/South Window for sunset, Enjoyed the sunset at North window until 9:00 PM MT

North Window trail

Sunset at North Window

View of South Window from North Window.

ix. Headed back to the Condo, cooked dinner, spent some relaxed time with friends.

5. Moab, UT - Day 2 - 5/30 - Monday

i. Started from the Condo at 11:00 AM MT.

ii. Spent some time in downtown, bought souvenirs

iii. Headed towards Canyonland National Park.

a. Island in the Sky (near visitor center)

View from Island in the Sky. The mud road that you see is open for off-roading.

b. Mesa Arch

c. Buck Canyon Overlook

d. Orange Cliffs Overlook

e. Ensure you do visit the Gran view point Overlook

Grand View Point - Left side view

Grand View Point - Right side view

iv. Dead Horse Point State Park - Dead Horse Point Overlook. It's a beautiful view. We had lunch there.

Dead Horse Point

Then we started heading back to Denver, CO.

I drove and drove, taking bio breaks and refueling Arohak. Then I drove and drove. Sometimes at 60 mph, sometimes at 85 mph, sometimes at 95 mph and then there were times when we were at 25mph.

We kept telling Arohak - "Bro, you are just a few miles away from HOME. We are almost there and then you can take a longgggg restt!!" It applied more to us as well :D

You see, the last few miles are always the most difficult ones. Whether you are running or working out or driving.

And we were home. I drove 1284 miles in this trip. :-)

Some of the highlights -

Long Drive is tiring. Drink lot of water - especially on high elevation areas like Denver, Utah.
Driving up/down the mountains with some steep grades and crazy U bends/turns, you will feel a bit dizzy if you are not used to them.
I suffered a lot with burning eyes and headaches - mornings were bright with sun, and nights had headlights of vehicles flashing into your eyes. Slices of cucumber on the eyes gave me a lot of comfort. So yeah - no harm in carrying cotton buds, rose water or cucumber.
Have someone ride with you to click on-the-wheel road pictures, because you really cannot enjoy a lot of view when you are driving at 85/90 mph. A big thank you to my roommate who clicked all these pictures while I was driving :)
Roads are tempting to get your speeds off the limit. Know the state rules where you are driving. Last thing you want is cops at your tail. Especially in city limits.

Well, no matter how much you plan, there is always room for surprises (like my friend's car tire burst on the way etc..); these surprises make the trip memorable. So sit back, relax and enjoy the drive!!

The Girl with Orange Jeep!!!!!

I loved loved loved roads of Utah, and will visit again just for off roading and hiking!

-Sarita
Dated - 4th June 2016

(Trip date 27th May through 30th May 2016. One more item from my bucket list checked off!!!)

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