Vermillion Cliffs Scenic Byway, Navajo Bridge

 

US 89 didn’t make our NatGeo book, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t scenic.

It was, however, devoid of those little roadside tables announced by a picture of a picnic table under a tree. “Duh,” says Steve. “What tree?” Eventually we found a turn off with what looked like a wide parking lot outside an entrance to private property. By the trash and empty beer cans, we were not the first to use it.

 I don’t usually do moving vehicle pictures but there were no pullouts. This does not do justice to the Vermillion Cliffs by any means.

 

 

The GPS was evidently having trouble finding Marble Canyon Lodge. The only address was US 89A. GPS tried to get us to take 89 (not 89A) into Utah and around to the town of Katabo where the two roads join up again. However, it said the time would be the same on 89A. Since Steve had understood the lodge was in Marble Canyon (nowhere near Katabo), we took that route.

 

Navajo Bridge spans the Colorado River at Marble Canyon. The roadway is on the right, pedestrian bridge on the left.

 

 

Maybe a quarter mile on was Marble Canyon Lodge, an easy walk back to the bridge. After putting in more than 5 miles this morning, I’m ready to leave that for another day. The lodge is comfortable with a nice walkway out front. Not enough outdoor chairs, so we pulled out our camping chairs from the trunk for the second time today.