On to Moab

Hello Everyone,

On Wednesday, Oct. 23rd we left Blanding, UT behind, and drove 60 miles North to Moab, UT. On the way, we had to dodge four road construction sites, all of which forced us to wait because the road (Route 191) was down to one lane. In one place the road construction crew were blasting through a mountain to widen the road. I had fun watching all of the great big machine working by the side of the road.

When we got to our new house in Spanish Valley, just south of Moab, Utah, and finished unpacking, we decided to take a walk, then do some grocery shopping. My "kid" (Courtney) and her husband Chris are coming to visit and stay a few days with us tomorrow so we have to get ready for them.

So we went into Moab to visit the local visitor's center and seek some advice about hiking trails in the area. Then we left to search for the paved municipal walking trail along the creek in the center of town and found it right where the visitor's center told us to look. After a short walk, we went to the grocery store and brought home a whole bunch of groceries.

On Thursday, Oct. 24th we decided to take a hike not far from our house on the Hidden Valley Trail. We hiked about half-way to the top of the mountain (an 860-foot verticle rise), scambling up rocky rubble, but decided to turn around and try it another day when we had proper gear (hiking boots and hiking poles). We were only wearing sneakers and were trying to avoid hurting ourselves on such steep and treacherous terrain.

The view of Spanish Valley from up there was worth the trek up through the loose rocks. Our house is right about in the middle of the valley. You can barely make out the houses in the community we are staying in from the half-way point where we were.

Courtney and Chris flew into Salt Lake City, rented a car, and drove down to Moab, arriving shortly before sundown. They went out with my parents to dinner at a local Tai restaurant, while I stayed home to rest.

On Friday, Oct. 25th we all got up very early ( 5:00 AM) to see the sunrise through "Mesa Arch" in Canyonlands National Park. It is one of the most popular things to do in Canyonlands, so there were many people there to get a glimpse of the sun as it rose over the cliffs and shown through the arch.

 The view through the arch is spectacular to behold, and many people wait hours in the dark to get a chance to see the sunrise through it.

After the sun came up we drove out of the national park and went to a state park nearby. Dead Horse Point State Park has a unique history and some of the most spectacular views of the "Island in the Sky" section of Canyonlands National Park.

There are three sections to Canyonlands National Park, a vast complex canyon formed by the convergence of the Colorado River and the Green River. Parts of it are so remote that only very high clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles can access the area, and then only during the summer months if there is not too much rain. There are parts of the park that access is denied without a special permit and an experienced guide to take you through.

My kid (Courtney) got a rare photograph of Mom and Dad resting on a stone bench along the "Rim Trail" overlooking the canyon from Dead Horse Point State Park. It was cold there (only 28 degrees) so they were snuggling close. 

I was there with them, but I was being camera shy and hiding down there by their legs when this picture was taken.

That is Canyonlands National Park in the far distance. We all had a fun time in the state park, but it was cold and windy, so we quickly explored the main trails and overlooks, but didn't stay very long..

Tomorrow we are planning to explore Arches National Park and maybe do some more exploring in Canyonlands too😃.