There is something to be said about warm red rock canyon country in the spring! I am not one to continually go to the same destination over and over again, however Moab, UT has drawn me there on numerous Springs with both my family and my girlfriends. There is just something MaGiCal about this place.
This year my dear friend Sandy mentioned that she was going to take her husband for the first time and invited us to join in. It happened to be a week that I was off of work and with little convincing, Tob was on board. We needed a little family vacation after a long fire season last year with a long basketball season that followed before heading back into a LONG summer. Anyway, what I am saying is the family vaca was overdue.
Of course I worked 80 hours the week before and had a crazy night before we left without a lunch break or any break for that matter, came home at 8am, finished packing and we were out the door by 9:15 to find that the "new" car (a 2005 Ford Exploder) wouldn't start. We jumped it and then had to take it to the shop in LG and pay them $58 to tell us it was going to be another $800 to fix. Luckily it was working ok at that point, so we opted to take our chances as we would have had to forfeit the trip if we chose to fix it right then, so onward we went knowing we still had a good 12-14 hour drive ahead of us. At one point the straps broke on the bike rack and had it not been for the lock around them, my bike would have flown down the freeway at 70MPH and most likely crushed by another vehicle. I was convinced by 1pm, delirious and almost tearful that this may be a sign to turn around and just go home. Tob and I laughed it off and continued on and later on were glad we did. We arrived at our campground at 2am and were in our tent and asleep by 2:35. It was a new tent we had never set up so we were happy it was easy to assemble and didn't give us any problems.
I am also happy to report despite a friend with a sprained ankle the rest of the trip was enjoyable and relaxing. We spent our days in Canyonlands NP, Arches NP and Mountain biking some pretty cool trails. It was the kids first time Mnt Biking in Moab and I have to say I was impressed with their skills. They rode some tough stuff and enjoyed most of it.
This year my dear friend Sandy mentioned that she was going to take her husband for the first time and invited us to join in. It happened to be a week that I was off of work and with little convincing, Tob was on board. We needed a little family vacation after a long fire season last year with a long basketball season that followed before heading back into a LONG summer. Anyway, what I am saying is the family vaca was overdue.
Of course I worked 80 hours the week before and had a crazy night before we left without a lunch break or any break for that matter, came home at 8am, finished packing and we were out the door by 9:15 to find that the "new" car (a 2005 Ford Exploder) wouldn't start. We jumped it and then had to take it to the shop in LG and pay them $58 to tell us it was going to be another $800 to fix. Luckily it was working ok at that point, so we opted to take our chances as we would have had to forfeit the trip if we chose to fix it right then, so onward we went knowing we still had a good 12-14 hour drive ahead of us. At one point the straps broke on the bike rack and had it not been for the lock around them, my bike would have flown down the freeway at 70MPH and most likely crushed by another vehicle. I was convinced by 1pm, delirious and almost tearful that this may be a sign to turn around and just go home. Tob and I laughed it off and continued on and later on were glad we did. We arrived at our campground at 2am and were in our tent and asleep by 2:35. It was a new tent we had never set up so we were happy it was easy to assemble and didn't give us any problems.
I am also happy to report despite a friend with a sprained ankle the rest of the trip was enjoyable and relaxing. We spent our days in Canyonlands NP, Arches NP and Mountain biking some pretty cool trails. It was the kids first time Mnt Biking in Moab and I have to say I was impressed with their skills. They rode some tough stuff and enjoyed most of it.
Bull Run, One of the Magnificent 7 bike rides was one of the favorites. It was listed as an intermediate to advanced ride. The loop took us almost 2 1/2 hours to ride. We rode along cliff edges with some amazing views. My heart sank into my stomach a few times wondering if my kids were going to fly off the edges, but they survived and did so with a smile.
Rippin it up in Canyon country. The kids loved riding the slick rock. So grippy :-)
"A family that bikes together, stays together"
This is another trail called Rockin A. Lex wasn't a huge fan. A little more technical at spots than she would have liked but she made it through and then Nojah went on to ride Circle O with Sandy and Karl while Tob, Lex and I took an easier route back to the car.
One of the mornings we were there, all of us adults ditched the kids at camp and headed out to the classic slick rock trail. Tob rode for a bit but has been struggling with some chest congestion and wasn't feeling well so rode back to camp to hang with the kids. Sandy, Karl and I finished the loop with the beautiful views and shaky legs from the crazy climbs.
This country is SIMPLY amazing, that's all I have to say.
Lex loves earning her junior ranger badge at each park we visit so we have learned quite a bit about desert animals with all our travels to National Parks over the past several years. One animal they have always wanted to see was a Kangaroo Rat. Tob was the hero and found them one. Less than ideal, but the bonus was not moving, which made it easy to correctly identify and the kids could check it out as long as they wanted.
Came around the corner and Sandy discovered Turtle rock. We decided it was a good photo op.
Arches NP is one of my favorites. I have been there 4 times now and have not seen it all. One afternoon we spent roughly 4 hours wandering through Devils Garden. It was incredible and highly recommended. It was hot and we probably should have had more water but we made it and I would do it again in a heartbeat. Very cool!!
More in Devils Garden. Our own personal playground.
I don't know what she said, but I thought it was funny. I love my friend......
and her crazy husband who leans over scary cliffs.
Lex found her own little arch. Her brother took note of that and obviously wanted to be included.
I am not going to lie......Tob Farted.
The canyon lands are amazing place to visit and I am sure we will continue to return to this heaven on earth every few years while we can.
1 comment:
Awesome, I"ve always wanted to go to Moab. Someday we will get there!
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