We left Moab, and were heading for Monument Valley. We have cut our stay from two nights to only one so that we can get to Farmington, New Mexico to get the trailer fixed. David was perusing the map and found a "scenic route". This turned out to be yet another MacGregor adventure!!!
We had been travelling this particular highway for about an hour when we came across a sign that warned of a gravel road with a 5 mph speed limit and a 10 % grade, for the next 3 miles. The road was not recommended for over sized or overweight vehicles. But what does that really mean??? Do we go back and spend an extra two hours to get to our destination, or try a gravel road for a bit.
What we did not realize, however, was that we had been travelling along the top of a mesa, and had come to the edge, and were about to start travelling down a switchback gravel road, with no railing, and a 1000 foot drop (yes, that was a 1000 foot change in elevation!!!!!)
As we started down the road and turned the first curve we saw what we were in for, but by then, how do you turn around in a 50 foot rig?? You don't, you go forward....
It only took about 15 - 20 minutes, but they were probably the most stressful driving we have ever done. Well, driving by David, and looking over the edge by me. I think Rianna had her head down for most of it, and Sean would look out and give us a "Holy Crap!!" every once in a while!
When we got to the bottom and looked back up, it was pretty amazing to see what we had just driven!!
We did a little research on the internet, and there are some good sites for this part of the highway. In particular, a video that a semi driver took while driving down it gives a pretty good feeling of what we went through. I have tried to attach these at the bottom - or just google Moki Dugway.
OMG....This drive must have been one of those ones that makes you cringe after it's done!! Good job....you are officially an expert RV driver!!! Karen
ReplyDeleteHoly Crap (to quote Sean)! Scary stuff...glad it all turned out okay!
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