Our SUV is parked beside the road. I climbed a little rise off to the side of the road to take this picture. The ground was incredibly wet and muddy, and my shoe was covered with red clay. The inside of the vehicle ended up quite dirty!

Fruita was a settlement that existed in this area. It was populated by Mormons till the 1950s. They used to farm the area. The farms are still being operated (by the park service, I think) and you can buy produce and stuff made here from the park.