We visited the local museum today, before it got too hot. It was so interesting all about the ancient people who lived in this area and all the climate changes which have happened. There were lots of arrow heads, remains of pots and even clothing. The museum was called Lost City Museum, because the original site,where they found most of the exhibits,is now under water when they dammed up the river to make lake Mead. There are reconstructions of the Pueblos the people lived in. A very good value for money museum. 

    We then went to the only  tourist gift shop in town and talked to a young man who has an 11 year old daughter who is half Navajo. His great grandfather and grandfather were farmers in this valley, but his father hated farming and is now a judge in Las Vegas. The young man moved away to study and work. He got made redundant and has now come back here to live again. He is a photographer and artist and sells his work in this shop which he part owns. The people here are very friendly.

Next we were on a road along the Muddy River when we spotted a large bird, it was a wild turkey we think. 

 Back in the Valley of Fire State Park we did some rock climbing and exploring until it got too hot,followed by a salad and diet coke at our little cafe in town. I still can’t get used to these temperatures 106f today.

Later in the afternoon we took a drive up the Moaba Valley to Warm Springs where the source of the Muddy River begins. When we got there the sound of the water gushing out was loud. It was all fenced off though but surrounded by huge palm trees. 

 It is only open to the public October to May and is a nature reserve. The wildlife we saw up that road was exciting, vultures road runners birds we’d never seen before that were blackbird size but blue and yellow, Hawks and Eagles, rabbits.

We were in the Indian reserve lands and 2 toddlers with their mum, fully dressed in their colourful tribal clothes were in the stream swimming and squealing with delight. The water I thought would be freezing but vince pointed out it is called Warm Springs. It was a lovely shared moment I caught.

What do you think to your a bit thinner parents/ grandparents?  

   Last full day in USA tomorrow then we fly out sat 1.30 our time

love to you all, missing you xxxx