James Arrives !

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
July 1-4, 2017

Saturday, July 1st, was quite an exciting day.  We picked up our oldest son, James (who lives in LaGrange, GA), at Grand Junction Regional Airport for a week long visit with us in Moab.  





Sunday, we were up bright and early to beat the heat.  The trail for the day was Cliffhanger. Why was it chosen first? Its totally awesome ! And one of our favorites that we wanted to share with James.  Jeff led us up, down and over boulders and ledges, followed by Joe and James, followed by Dee and me, with Glen bringing up the back.  This is one of those trails with a "WOW" around every corner !  And the overlook of Jackson Hole and the Colorado River is spectacular.  

Parking at the overlook.

The Cliffhanger Obstacle

Monday our trail for the day was Kane Creek Canyon Trail.  Glen led, followed by Joe and James, with Dee and me in the back.  It's another favorite because of the varied terrain...the desert with lots of boulders to play on,

Joe and James check out Glen's line over Roy's Rock...a tall boulder.  I love all that flex !

the creek with all the cottonwood trees, shade and cool air,

and the ledge that winds around as it climbs out of the canyon.  

This ledge is home to Hamburger Hill...a long, difficult boulder climb.  Glen climbs first and takes pictures as the rest of us make our ascent.

Tuesday, July 4th, we had the pleasure of leading a Moab visitor from Iowa on Fins & Things.  Adrienne was here for a week and looking for someone to ride with.  Dee suggested  Fins...it's a fun trail and a great prerequisite for Hell's Revenge.  And its a trail we know well !  Adrienne's well built/modified JK 2 door performed flawlessly.  

Adrienne drives her jeep she named Pibble on Fins & Things.

 Gratuitous Fins picture.  

 Joe waits as Adrienne climbs a very steep slickrock dome. 

 That evening, we had a cook-out at Dee's.  Great fellowship and laughs. Joe and I were so proud to introduce James to lots of our friends. 

Up next, James drives WileE...wahoo!
Until then, take care and

 HAPPY TRAILS !

The Fins and The Rocks

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 6 & 7, 2016

For some reason or another, last year we didn't spend any time on Fins and Things.  So when Red and Dolly asked us what trail we wanted to do, I didn't hesitate to say "the fins". Like Hell's Revenge, it is a classic 4X4 trail here with humongous views.  This was the first trail Joe and I did in our brand new stock Wrangler 3 months after we purchased it in 2013.  The purpose then was to figure out what modifications we needed...and so the journey began! 

I always love the fins !  It's still jaw-dropping...   

 As the name would imply, this trail is not all about the fins.  There are "things" to traverse as well...like gnarly climbs and sandy washes. 

Moab Rim...

and the LaSals make a beautiful backdrops.

The next day we were off to Behind The Rocks with Red and Dolly and were excited Dee joined us as well.  Our version is referred to as a "tip-toe" version because the extreme obstacles called High Dive, Up-Chuck, and Hummer Hill have go arounds and we took them. Dee drove Up-Chuck and played on Hummer Hill.  The go-arounds are difficult...this would not be a trail one should do without a buddy. 

Dee is always helpful when we tackle new obstacles.







Whee...Red led the way on this curvy section of sandy wash that had me giggling...

This is the top section of the by-pass for High Dive...Dee was the last to go down.

We made a large loop around Prostitute Rock...








...on the front side is Balcony Arch

 ...and on the back side is Picture Frame Arch where we had lunch in the shade of piñon pine trees.

After lunch Dee led for awhile as we meandered below and up-close to The Rocks.  Hummer Hill was on the way where Dee made the near vertical climb and descent.  

What fun it is to play in the sand !  Impressive sand dunes...

Behind The Rocks is an awesome trail.  We had a great time...thanks Red and Dolly, and Dee.  

The hottest part of the day here isn't until 4:00.  Dover has had fun cooling off in the doggie lake here at Portal.

With the cool morning temps, Jack gets plenty of time to play ball.  

And Sally knows just how to handle the warmer temps.  



















Until next time, happy days and...

HAPPY TRAILS !

Things and Fins...

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 29, 2015

There's Pearl!

Baby Lion's Back was the first "thing" for the day and it was our first time to do do it. It was so much fun we each had several turns to climb and gurgle our way out.
















Fins and Things is 9.4 miles (south and north sides combined) and takes about 4 to 5 hours if you are with a group. It is located in the Sand Flats Recreation Area. 

The south side is a combination of ledges, 

slickrock, and...

 sandy trail. The first time we did the south side was 2 years ago. Pearl was only 2 months old and we had never been to Moab. We were curious about the Jeeping trails and wanted to know what a stock jeep could do. It was love at first sight between Pearl and the slickrock...we were hooked!

The north side of Fins and Things is quite different and by far my favorite part of the trail. The route follows very steep and sometimes narrow fins...climbing is exhilarating , and going down is just "scary fun"! So what's not to like?

Having these spectacular vistas to photograph is a plus when the stomach decides to flip-flop.  

So far, on ALL of the trails we have done, lunch spots have been a highlight for me. There is always a view, there is usually time to do a little exploring, and, of course,  I am always hungry! Fins and Things was no exception. Our spot for the day was a view of the Negro Bill Wilderness. FYI...the other end of Negro Bill Canyon can be reached from Hwy 128 where there is a great hike to Morning Glory Bridge.

Negro Bill Wilderness

This little beauty, a Canyon Wren, was having a grand time hopping around on the cliff wall and into crevices. His presence is known by a loud cascade of musical whistles. 

The purple of the aster is a pop of color against the red rocks.

Lunch entertainment was free and helpful as beautiful Violet-green Swallows swooped in and out and up and down catching insects. Ingrid keeps a bird guide in her jeep so we were able to look them up for identification. 

There are white paint markings for the trail, but the black tire trail is easier to see.

Dee is photographing everyone on Kenny's Climb.

 Fins and Things (or Things and Fins as Kim likes to call it) was a great outing with great friends. 

Until next time, happy days and...

HAPPY TRAILS!

Up next...some work and lots of play sure make for a perfect day!

P.S. A huge shout out to our good friend Jim back in Georgia. Hope you are on the lake soon with a big catch!