Last week mom came to town for a little visit. Winter still has a strong hold on the Vail area (currently under a winter storm watch predicting 8-16 inches) and we wanted to find some warmth. After checking the weather and discovering that our favorite Utah hot spot was supposed to be in the high 70's on Friday we made plans to make the 4 hour drive to Moab. We left before 6am and drove west for a couple of hours. After breakfast in Grand Junction we were on the road again. Andy thought it would be a good idea to get off the freeway once we hit Utah so we could experience more of the natural beauty. The road was windy and at times the shoulder was nearly nonexistent along the cliff above the river but the sights along the way were breathtaking. Soon we were driving along a two-lane road next to a steep cliff where people much more daring than I were strapping themselves in to climb up the cracks on the sheer rock wall. Before parking at the trail head, Andy took us past the famed Vail Church Men's Moab Trip camping site along the river. Across the street we piled out of the car, tightened our laces and sandals, and made sure we had enough water in our back packs. Hobie was beside himself as he ran around sniffing everything within a 15 foot radius. Soon we were on our way. According to our research, the hike typically takes a couple of hours and climbs a few hundred vertical feet. The trail was well marked with piles of rocks known as cairns. Along the way we met quite a few people and Hobie greeted the occasional dog with the obligatory sniff sniff. At one point there was a short but steep rock wall that people scaled with a ladder. There was a family with a little dog at the top who were trying to figure out how to get their dog down. While the family were discussing options, the dog noticed Hobie at the bottom. The dog forgot its fear of heights and ran straight down the side of the rock toward Hobie. By the time the family realized their dog was no longer at the top with them, the two dogs were happily sniffing one another. Too funny! Hobie made it up to the next section of trail and we continued on our way. Soon Hobie and Andy found a shady place to sit. It was nice to cool off for a couple of minutes but we got out of there as soon as we discovered a scorpion hiding under a rock. A short hike later we were standing beneath the Corona Arch. What a beautiful sight! What a beautiful day! Blue sky, red rocks, and temps in the high 70's...what could be better?? About an hour later we returned to the car and made our way to Milt's diner, home of Andy's favorite milkshakes. They were quite good! After filling our bellies we climbed back in the car and drove to Dead Horse State Park. With a rich history and stunning views of the nearby potash lakes and sheer cliffs down to the river, it was a worthwhile detour. It's amazing how a couple of hours in the car can take you to a completely different world!
Fun little arches and holes that Andy likes to explore when he comes to Moab with the men's group from church.
A boy and his dog walking along the trail.
Andy, always the tour guide :)
Random tree along the trail. Very picturesque!
The arch!
Taking a break in the shade.
Hobie, hanging out in the shade all cute as can be!
The arch!!
Really cool hole in the wall
Looking up at the arch.
Men's camping site across the street.
Signing the book at the end of our hike.
Big expanse and steep drop-offs at Dead Horse State Park.
Snowy mountains in the distance and potash lakes below.
