Canyonlands Arch - Island in the Sky District Canyonlands National Park — 30 miles from Moab, Utah

My new Twitter friend @meganhilll2 got a screaming deal on lodging in Moab thanks to Delta Skymiles, so I offered public congratulations. She asked if I were there for a day, what I would do or recommend. This is not an easy question.

Answering it in 140 characters is almost as hard as imagining that area with a one day limit, because it's near impossible to take it all in with a week. In my opinion, Utah canyon country is one of the most incredible places in the American southwest.

Moab, in particular, is the perfect base-camp for exploring nearby Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. Yes, yes - her question was hypothetical to make me name my top pick. Good thing. Because if you count the equally phenomenal state parks and other outdoor adventures this natural playground offers, you've got one tough choice for how to spend one day.

If I were absolutely forced to make a choice — that one place in the Moab area to visit to the exclusion of all others — I'd head for the north district of Canyonlands called Island in the Sky.

Do you see that road? The faint line along the left of the photo? I'm pretty sure that's the most spectacular scenic drive in America. Pretty bold claim, I know. Especially for someone who has not made the loop herself. We were in a rented SUV, but that's not rugged enough. It's called the White Rim Road and you need four-wheel drive and nerves of steel to take it. The narrow, unpaved road begins at the elevation this photo was taken, and makes hairpin turns down the canyon. The park service says to plan for the 100-mile loop to take three days. It's NOT disappointing to visit this part of Canyonlands National Park without taking the adventure road. There's mind blowing scenery to enjoy from the rim. In fact, that's why it's called "Island in the Sky." The north district of the park offers areal views — The paved scenic loop and well-maintained hiking trails let you see the canyons from above. To explore down in the canyons, you can visit the south district of the park, called Needles, a two+ hour drive away. I'll share pictures of Needles next week, because it's really like visiting a completely different park. This week I'm smiling at the memory of the Island in the Sky. I know @meganhilll2 is going to have fun.

Thanks to DelicousBaby for hosting Photo Friday. Check out her site for more travel-inspired photo stories. Happy Friday!