Following the morning rafting adventure we got lunch in Moab:
After changing we set off for Dead Horse Point. This is where Thelma and Louise (for those who have seen this great movie) drove over the cliff at the end. If you haven’t seen this movie, don’t bother – I’ve just told you the ending! We wanted to see the sun set and possibly do a bit of stargazing. We arrived at about 6pm and there were very few people there -perfect!
Then, just as the sun came just below the cloud-line (it had been quite an overcast day) the vista began to take on a warm, orange hue and the detail began to show up. If you’ve ever seen such an immence expanse of land you’ll know how hard it is to gauge just how far it really goes on for. But as the slanted light hits the mountains it brings it all into better focus. It was another ‘Wow’ moment, when all you can do is stand and stare in awe. But then there was an ‘Oh No!’ moment when a coach-load of tourists arrived. Although it was no longer quiet there was an added bonus. One of the guides on the coach used to be a scout for film-makers and he scouted the location for Thelma and Louise and wason first name terms with the film’s director- Ridley Scott. He was talking about how they made that last scene where Thelma and Louise drive off the cliff. It was shot right here at Dead Horse Point. He pointed out where the camera was placed for the last shots and how they used a car tied to a wagon for the stunt. The rope from the wagon to the car was pivoted around a pole driven into the ground near the point at which the car would go over the edge. The wagon dragged the car at up to 65 mph until the car was flung off the cliff. They had two cars just in case, but the first shot was a success so they used it. Within half an hour a helicopter and divers were brought in to get the car out of the Colorado River.
It’s difficult to see just how wide and deep this view is (below) but you can see the track (bottom rtight) where Thelma and Louise’s car ran over the cliff.
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