Adventures in Moab

Thanks to a new computer system going live at work, and the luxury of Dave's schedule, we have a few work/pleasure trips planned this summer. Our first trip (Memorial day - I'm a few weeks behind) was to Moab. I wouldn't say it was the best vacation of our life.  

Some of the "highlights":

- Forgetting to pack shirts for Dave and nothing besides flip flops for me. I did score some low quality but passable items from the local drug store.

- Reading a wanted poster about an armed and dangerous man at loose in the Moab wilderness.  He had shot an officer, was wounded, and was thought to be hiding out in the backcountry of Moab.  And, the poster warned, smells of decay or large birds circling should be reported to the local authorities.  So either I was going to be attacked by a crazy man or come upon his dead body.  Needless to say, I chose to stick to well traveled hiking trails.

- Getting cussed out and threatened by a homeless hippie who's living space we had unknowingly usurped.  No idea how he had planned to be undisturbed and live for free at a 6 tent campsite all summer.  Dave was not impressed with the F bomb he dropped in front of Ben and had he not been interrupted from his task of slicing vegetables with a rather large hunting knife, I'm quite sure the hippie would've swung at him.  As it was, I spent the 2nd night at the campsite listening to every car that passed by, wondering if we were going to be run down by a VW van.  After all, being told "I hope something disastrous happens to you tonight" adds a little panic to the imagination.  He didn't come back, and I was grateful (for once) that Dave had brought his gun.

- Finding myself perched precariously on a virtual cliff, with Alex on my back, and using both hands to boost Ben over the ledge.  The thought went through my head - "Dave will never forgive me for letting both his boys fall to their death."  (He's in a hard cast and stayed back at the campsite.)  I assure you, the trail was visible from the trailhead and looked quite safe and simple.  If you've ever hiked red rock, you know the trail can be hard to follow.  May I add that after several of those terrifying spots, a large group arrived and I watched them stroll to their destination.  Yeah, that was not the way I went.

Hmm...funny I felt a little apprehensive about the trip before we left.  I'll count my blessings that it all ended ok and hopefully be more willing to listen to promptings the next time.  This is not the first time my need for adventure has blindsided my common sense!  Despite all that, we enjoyed our time away from the monotony of everyday life:)

3 mile hike with Ben to Cascade Arch! 

This trail was well marked thanks to whoever arranges these markers on the trail.  Note my $30 hiking shoes.

Taking a break

Also on Cascade arch trail

Under the arch

These dumb dinasour tracks (to right of Ben) were our destination re scary moments.  Notice how calm he looks - I may have been freaking out on the inside, but he had no idea. 

I took this picture right after the scary moment re above.  That look is elation (we didn't die!)  Notice the ledge behind Alex's head.  And the shrub and river you see in the background?  Hundreds of feet below us.

The next day, hiking whale rock (a very wide and safe hike!)  Ben  was confused about the whale part.