It just so happened that when we decided to stop for the day we ended up right in the middle of Utah's Canyonland National Park. Every time we come through here is looks just a little different depending on the time of year. The last time we were here in March, the landscape was dusted with snow. This time, as we approached the area, we saw dark storm clouds and lightening in the distance. It didn't take long for the rain to start, but as if it knew we were going to stop, the rain let up and the sun came out by the time we parked. 
We had decided to stay at a rest area we had stopped at before. It is nestled between the rocks with plenty of trees and green grass, not to mention great restroom facilities. It is also just a short 1/4 mile from the infamous "Hole N" the Rock". What makes this place famous, besides being one of the many tourist traps we see along our way, is a 5000 square foot home built inside the rock. I kid you not. But before it was a home, 
it was a resting point for travelers since 1829 starting with horse teams on the old Spanish Trail between Sante Fe and California.
In 1945 Albert Christensen started blasting the hole for this home. By the time he was done, he blasted away over 50,000 cubic feet of sandstone. In 1952, he and his wife Gladys moved in. In 1957, Albert died and Gladys spent the next eight years putting the finishing touches on the couples' dream cave. She turned part of it into a diner which she operated for 17 years. When she died, she and Albert were buried in nearby graves.
Now this place has everything a good tourist trap should. Plenty of souvenirs, a tour of the home, a petting zoo, photo opportunities, and enough antiques of days gone by to keep you fascinated.........for us, about 30 minutes. But after taking the mandatory tourist photos, feeding the ostriches, and buying a post card, we had pretty much had our fill. But as we like to say, that is one more roadside attraction marked off our list. Been there, done that........now onto our next stop.
it was a resting point for travelers since 1829 starting with horse teams on the old Spanish Trail between Sante Fe and California.In 1945 Albert Christensen started blasting the hole for this home. By the time he was done, he blasted away over 50,000 cubic feet of sandstone. In 1952, he and his wife Gladys moved in. In 1957, Albert died and Gladys spent the next eight years putting the finishing touches on the couples' dream cave. She turned part of it into a diner which she operated for 17 years. When she died, she and Albert were buried in nearby graves.
Now this place has everything a good tourist trap should. Plenty of souvenirs, a tour of the home, a petting zoo, photo opportunities, and enough antiques of days gone by to keep you fascinated.........for us, about 30 minutes. But after taking the mandatory tourist photos, feeding the ostriches, and buying a post card, we had pretty much had our fill. But as we like to say, that is one more roadside attraction marked off our list. Been there, done that........now onto our next stop.
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