Moab 2011 Wrap-up

Oct, 22 2011

All-in-all, I’m not sure we could have had any more fun on this trip. Everything was really rather perfect. I would love to repeat this trip over and over and over if I could. The only thing I would add is nine more children and four more adults. If you can believe it, that’s how many of our family members we left home due to scheduling conflicts and newborn babies. Next year guys, next year.

We began our check out process and left the hotel never to return (until next year) for a quick hike to Landscape Arch, the largest in the park. It really was a very quick walk. Despite that, Sunny was generally pooped from being marched around from place to place for the last three days. She really was a good sport, so I can’t really blame her for not being 100 percent on board with Landscape arch. Steve and I basically took turns carrying her in some form for the 1.2 mile round trip.

The arch really was impressive. We got a better view of it that we did last year. It was raining then and the whole trail was a muddy mess. We turned around as soon as we got our picture of the arch.

This time we toured around and saw it as up close as you can get. They like you NOT to play under and around this one since several tons of the rock came crashing down in the 1990’s.

It was a beautiful arch and a beautiful day to be there.

Our kids weren’t the only ones to poop out. Randy’s two youngest crapped out too. Double D who had been TOTALLY independent during the whole trip now insisted that he be carried by his mother who under duress took the assignment and carried him as far as she could. Then my brother Randy volunteered even though he was already plus one. Double D finally agreed about about 10 minutes of crying about it. It was either that or he stay here in the wilderness forever.

We made it back to the car and this is what happened with Sunny immediately. I guess she was actually tired. I guess I know why. We did make a quick stop at the Park Avenue section. Where me and my nephew Jake enjoyed each other’s company and shouted “Echo!” It was very cool to hear the echo. Like real cool.

Then we headed back into Moab to use the bathroom and get a bite to eat. We dined together at the Moab Diner. Would I go there again, probably not. Was it bad, no. It was like one of those places that serves the exact same kind of food you can make yourself at home.

We ceremoniously changed our shoes from hikers into something else. I guess the fun is over, bummer.

We made one last stop at the Colorado River Pedestrian Bridge. It was fun to cross over such a massive river. We did get to walk down and touch the water too, which was fun for the kids.

We did decide to make another last stop at the Arches Park Visitors center mainly because they had nice bathrooms and we had a lot of kids. Alyssa enjoyed very much pushing the button and listening via telephone receiver about different areas and things users need to be aware of before enjoying the park. Too bad this was the last thing we did. She'll be prepared for next time. Sunny and Alyssa also both enjoyed the bronzed wildlife statues in front of the center. They both claim this as the FUNNEST thing that happened on the trip. Even over swimming in the gross Super 8 pool.

With that we piled back into the cars and headed back toward home.

We made a brief stop in Green River. If you’re even in Green River you should stop and get yourself a Watermelon. They are SO delicious. Not like the crap ones you can buy at our grocery stores where half the time they are yum and half the time they’re mushy. They save the best melons for the townies and the travelers through like us.

We stopped again in Price to let the kids stretch their legs and to use a potty. We tried to get into some of the campus buildings since we were traveling with some College of Eastern Utah alumnus, but no luck everything was all locked up. So we settled for a family leaf fight instead. It was actually as fun as it looks. My brother Scott is such a good sport and let the kids chase him all over. They did eventually catch him too.

We piled back into the vans and made it to Spanish Fork before we had to stop and eat. We all traveled with a Happening’s book and had a coupon for Magleby’s Fresh deli. It was a great place to stop. The kids took their own table and wouldn’t sit with us, which was weird and fun.

After our meal it was a short ride back home where we were relieved to be after a long drive in the car. It’s always amazing how BIG our house seems upon returning home from vacation.