Ahhh...The Weather !

Gopher Flats
September, 2019
Moab, UT

It has been so nice the past few days...the triple digits are history !  Wonderful days in the mid 80s and cool nights sure make living easy.  This morning it was a chilly 44 degrees and we had the heater on for a few minutes.    

The puppies have really enjoyed themselves.  

Dover checks out the neighbors flowers everyday...

Sally on one of several windy days...

Jack LOVES to play ball...

Jack had his annual check up, shots and dental cleaning last week.  He had three teeth pulled (common for dachshunds).  Dr. Chipman heard a heart murmur during her check-up.  We were told it is not uncommon in older small dogs.  Research also revealed that Orijens dog food was one of 16 brands of dog food on the FDA list of foods that are linked to canine dilated cardiomyopathy.  Dover and Jack don't eat Origins anymore!  Sally stopped the Orijens some time ago due to reoccurring bladder stones.

This is the perfect time of year for rock crawling.  Cliffhanger is my favorite trail these days.  It is not a long trail, but boy is it packed with excitement.  And oh my, the views are amazing !

Wile E leads Cliffhanger with Dee and Larry 

I got pictures of Dee and Larry on the Cliffhanger obstacle. 

Clouds didn't put a damper on the day and quickly moved on...

leaving us with lots of sunshine.

The club (Moab Friends For Wheelin') run scheduled on the 14th was Kane Creek.  It's another great trail that winds its way through the desert, a riparian, and switchbacks.  It has several sweet obstacles including The Pinch.  

We have also been on Steel Bender a couple of times.  SB needed some paint to mark the trail so yesterday Joe and I went with Dee to do just that.  Joe drove Wile E, I drove Dee's jeep, and Dee had the hard part...she painted ! 

Our good friends and neighbors two houses down from us went to Lake Powell for a week.  Guess what we did...fed the chickens !  We also fed their kitty Bob, but I didn't get a picture of him. 




























We brought home fresh eggs everyday !




One evening we went early to  feed the chickens because the skies turned dark, the winds picked up and we didn't want to get caught in the rain.  The chickens were not happy, but we were treated to a rainbow.

You might not like beets, but Joe and I sure do.  We had never cooked fresh beets.  We do now though !  It really is easy in the Instant Pot.  


I made a yummy salad with fresh greens, beets, orange slices, crumbled goat cheese, walnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette.  It was an explosion of yummy tastes !



Life is good !  Until next time, 

View from Gopher Flats

Kane Creek Road along the Colorado River

A shelf road on Steel Bender with Moab Rim in the background

The south entrance to Steel Bender

 HAPPY TRAILS !

Some Revenge and A Little Poison

Gopher Flats
Moab, UT
May 6, 2018

So it's been a little over a week since we last posted.  It's been busy around here.  

Last Wednesday, our sweet Sally had surgery to remove bladder stones.  She was very droopy the first three days, but seems to be feeling more like her old self.  She has always been a model patient and so appreciative.  

We have also been busy wheeling some of our favorite trails...ok, I know I say that about every trail we run, but we just love this place !  Hell's Revenge, Moab's iconic trail, is usually at the top of everyone's list when visiting Moab.  We have done it twice in the past week.  First we joined Rory, Dee, David and Erica, and Chris.  Rory entertained us by driving up Escalator, driving down Escalator, and for the grand finale he backed up Escalator.  Rory and his buggy are legendary !

David drives up Escalator as Rory follows backing up it.

David played going up and down and Rory spotted Chris on her first successful climb on Escalator.  Dee  hasn't been happy with her past several runs up but was quite pleased Blanche performed flawlessly on this day !  We took a pass and I don't mean the flirty kind... Joe trusted his inner voice that said today was not the day for our first attempt.    

Rory spots Chris up Escalator...a personal goal for her.  Chris has a well built 2-door Rubicon and never shies away from a challenge. 

 After Hells, we headed over to Potato Salad Hill...a first for us.  Rory spotted us all up this ledgy hill that is notorious for rollovers.  Thanks to Rory we all made successful climbs !

Dee makes Potato Salad Hill look easy as Rory stands at the top giving her a spot. 

David (on the right) drives up Potato Salad Hill while Rory backs down it. 

Next up was Poison Spider trail.  We joined Dee, Chris and Canadians Robert and Karen.  With just the four of us we made quick time enjoying the beautiful day and scenery.  

Trail Warriors

 

Chris begins her climb on The Waterfall.

Robert and Karen climb a ledgy section just past the chute.

 

Yucca lined the trail...

The Havasu 4 Wheelers were here for a week and we had the great pleasure to join them on Hells.
Glen led them through the trail. There were about 7 jeeps of all sizes in the Havasu group...all excited and eager and up for the challenge !  Every jeep in the group did Hell's Gate and Escalator.  And Chris' dad, Howard even tried Mickey's Hot Tub, it was so close, but in the end he needed a strap.  I am way excited to post that Joe drove Escalator and Mickey's Hot Tub for the first time with Glen's expert spotting !  We can now say we have driven everything Hells has to offer ! 

The drop into Hell's Gate is amazing.

Below Glen drives the line. 





 These obstacles force you to pay close attention to what you are doing no matter how many times you have done them before.  Below one of the Havasu wheelers gets a passenger wheel lift and on top of that he drives a manual and his jeep went dead.  He did an awesome job of managing the clutch, brake, and gas to drive himself out.  

Mickey's Hot Tub was up next.  After Glen and Joe drove it, Howard gave it a try.

Glen did a great job of describing The Escalator and telling everyone what to expect. 

What a great day with old and new friends !  Until next time...

  HAPPY TRAILS !

Up next...creek crossings, a pinch, ledge crawling acrobats, and nerves of steel ! 

Medina Highpoint Resort

Medina Highpoint Resort
Medina, TX
November 2018


For several years now, I have wanted to visit the Texas Gulf Coast.  Its all about the birds that make the coast their winter home...beautiful birds like Roseate Spoonbills, White Ibises, Whooping Cranes and the list could go on and on.  Unfortunately, Harvey beat us there !

A stop we had planned to make on our way south was Medina Highpoint Resort in the heart of Texas Hill Country.  

Lucky for us, we were  able to reserve the month of November.  Craig Newton, (general manager) and his staff were incredibly welcoming and an important part of helping us feel at home here.
MHR is the fifth different RVC Outdoor Destinations property we have visited.  
This 95 acre plot was added to the Outdoor Destination roster in 2013.  It is a beautiful and natural setting atop the Edwards Plateau.  

I took this photo from the overlook on the Bigfoot Trail (located on MHR property) which winds its way up (and up and up) the hill. 

The Ranch House was built in 1948.  It's limestone exterior along with pecan wood floors, chandeliers, and heavy doors are original to the house.  



Today, it offers suites, a commercial kitchen, and wrap around porch (1,500 ft. covered) for just a few or a large group.

Behind the Ranch House is what is now called The Retreat.  In its day, it was a studio for artists.

 


Joe and I aren't "pool" people, but the infinity pool is certainly inviting even if you don't want to swim.  

The sound of the running water surrounded by huge trees and tropical plants was a very nice surprise.

 And look what I found...

The Bigfoot Trail is a short 2 mile hike if you hike to the end and back.  Don't let the distance fool you, it's quite a workout. 


There are benches along the way and two overlooks at the top.  And yes, a pretty spectacular view too.

Can you see the bridge?

We discovered a cave...











with a bridge.











This little hill is visible from our site and Jack has made himself at home.  He leads us to the grassy field everyday to play ball.

When you come to explore this beautiful part of our grand country called the Texas Hill Country, there is simply no place more beautiful and inviting than Medina Highpoint Resort to call home.  Fall has been especially pretty !  Just a few more pictures I liked...

Until next time...

HAPPY TRAILS !