Moab, Part 2

Madi and a content Izzy

Indian Writings

You guessed it…

Corona Arch

Bowtie Arch

So we've been back for 3 days now and I'm finally getting a few minutes to jot down the second part of our trip.

After our day trip to Goblin Valley/Little Wild Horse Canyon, Tuesday night was spent hoping the damn trailer wouldn't blow away in the 50 mph gusts of wind that reeked havoc outside. Ethan kept asking us if we were going to blow away and die, lol.

Wednesday morning the wind was still howling so we took our time getting ready for the day. Going into town was starting to become bothersome with the hordes of rock crawling rednecks. (Note to self: never go to back to Moab during Jeep week). Mullets have given way to goatees to hid double chins on aging men. Despite the weather and visions of mullets, we headed to the trails along the the river road.

First was a jaunt up to see the dinosaur tracks at the Poison Spider Mesa pullout. However, it was the Indian writings that really caught our attention their. Next, we headed about 20 miles upstream to the Fisher Towers trail near Castle Valley. ET, Izzy-dog and I made a short quick hike to inspect them while Madi and Britt napped in the truck – I can't believe people actually find joy in climbing those crumbling, petrified mud-laden towers. I'll take Idaho limestone any day over that nonsense. To end the day off we stopped at the Negro Bill trailhead and slowly made our way uptrail. This trail is really mellow and has a creek flowing through it. Izzy can smell water a mile away and she was begging to be taken off the leash. So I let her go for it and man she went lolo! She loves water and hasn't had a chance to swim in a long time. Of course, you know what happens when a dog gets out of the water – roll in anything and everything. Needless to say she was a dirty but happy dog.

When we awoke Thursday, thoughts of languishing in the desert sun were once again annihilated by the BLIZZARD that swept through the area. We had to get out of the trailer so we went to town and played tourist. We even made the drive to the Hole-in-the-Rock store but quickly realized how much of a tourist-money-gouging-trap it is. So to lift spirits we headed to the Moab Brewery and enjoyed a glass of Moab-brewed beverage. Plus, ate the best hummus plate I have ever laid into. That place is rad. Afterward, we decided to say "screw it" and headed up to Deadhorse Point. The weather cleared when we got there (it was still cold though) and I thought Britt was going to have a heart attack due to Madi and Ethan getting so close to the precipice. If you happened to go over the brink, at least there would be enough time to enjoy the view before you know what. And that was how we spent Thursday in Moab.

Friday brought clear skies and a lot less wind so we headed to check out an arch named Corona. We had originally planned on doing Delicate Arch but both Britt and I had already been there and we wanted something a little less popular. So on a tip from our West Valley, UT neighbors at the RV park, we went for it. And it was good.

The hike is 1.5 miles one way and you only gain 400 feet. Super easy. Madi walked the whole thing (at least on the way in). There is an adjacent arch there as well named Bowtie Arch but the business is all in Corona Arch. There is a picture in the diner in Moab of some chap flying his single engine plane through the arch! Lolo for sure brah! Anyway, it didn't let us down and we highly recommend it to anyone who likes to see cool things.

Afterwards, it was one more quick bouldering session at Big Bend and then off to town to the brewery again for our last meal in Moab. As far as the bouldering at Big Bend goes, I don't see why some call it "world class" 'cuz it ain't. Not bad and sure, there are a number of problems I can't do but I certainly would drive all the way to Moab just for bouldering (plus the locals are kind of stuck up).

Overall the trip was a success in terms that the kids both loved it and I'm quite sure it left a positive impression on them because they didn't want to leave.

If you want to check out all the pics from the trip I've got them on our Picasa Web Album here.