magnificent moab

When the winds of spring blew through the canyons of the high desert in early May, we heard their beckoning calls and headed southeast to Moab, Utah.  It was a maiden voyage of Moab’s high desert for both V and I and we played, and played. And played.  Each night, as we sat down for our bedtime snack of pain relievers, we reminisced about the amazing things we experienced that day, and planned for the following one.

The old-man-dog came along, hobbling as best he could, enjoying the wafting breezes of livestock and sage.  Since it was likely his last trip, we took the time to make sure he got in some good sniffin’.  When he wasn’t exploring, he was resting in the air conditioned travel trailer, which became his home away from home as much as ours.

Between hiking on slick rock, rock climbing and mountain biking, I was sure one of us was going to come away with some sort of injury such as a grapefruit-sized contusion or compound fracture. Thankfully, the first aid kit stayed closed and our balance and good judgement was on its best behavior. 

Our eyes, however, stayed wide-open, taking in red rock sandstone, as we’d never seen before- a vision to the newbie and to the seasoned alike!  Somehow, our timing was meticulous- the desert was in bloom!  From the “tour-de-posies” as we pedaled our mountain bikes, to hiking and photographing blooming spikes, it was like a haven to the senses with colors and fragrance.

On the way home, we spent two days climbing in the very chilly temperatures of Castle Rock State Park in Idaho, just outside of City of Rocks.  Never heard of it?  Not shocking.  It truly is the middle of nowhere.  Even the gas station thinks so.  Because the mornings were frosty and near freezing, we spent them fulfilling my bird-nerd dreams, photographing and ID'ing migratory birds.

When the sun arrived, the rock warmed up and we took to the crags, climbing as much as we could in the days we’d been given. On the final day, we hit the local grocery-gas-automotive repair and pizza restaurant all-in-one store for a savory pie.  I can almost close my eyes and smell the melted cheese and the marinara playing peekaboo around the crust.

Both places stole my heart and left me wanting more.  I guess that’s the beauty of visiting such grandeur; it forces you to return.  Till next time.

DEVIL'S GARDEN PRIMITIVE LOOP:

                                                         

Navajo Arch

A pinnacle called the "Dark Angel"

 THE FIREY FURNACE:

                                         

DELICATE ARCH:

 CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK (ISLANDS IN THE SKY):

FISHER TOWERS:

                                       

making shadow petroglyphs

 LOOKING GLASS ROCK (with a 185 foot free rapel!)

ROCK CLIMBING OWL ROCK, ARCHES NATIONAL PARK:

ROCK CLIMBING WALL STREET & ICE CREAM PARLOR:

MOUNTAIN BIKING KLONDIKE BLUFFS:

MOUNTAIN BIKING DEADHORSE STATE PARK:

Looking at brine shrimp

CASTLE ROCK/CITY OF ROCKS- ALMA, ID

                                     

Summit was wanting to paw-jam

                                       

find the climber...

eating a chocolate stuffed oversized marshmallow

after seeing highs in the 80's in Moab, it was strange to encounter a freak spring snow storm in Idaho!