MOAB - "Frins & Things"

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 22-27, 2014



Vic, Joe and The Big EZ

Anyone who has been to Moab knows about Fins & Things...well, our week has been all about "frins" and having a great time! 





Pam and Vic from www.thebigeztravels.blogspot.com rolled into Portal last Thursday.

We have been following each others blog for over a year so what a treat it is to finally meet in person. Our week of adventures began with Pam's  huge smile, hugs and puppy treats for the Tan Clan. This is Pam and Vic's first time to visit Moab. Joe and I have enjoyed their enthusiasm to "experience" this small town surrounded by snow-capped mountains and red rock formations. 

 Imagine our excitement when a Jeep ride was mentioned. Early Friday morning, the four of us loaded up in Pearl and headed out Kane Creek Road for Hurrah Pass.

After several switchbacks that took us into the canyon, we cleared a few water crossings.

The trail then climbs a series of small ledges. Rains have washed out the trail in many places leaving boulders and narrow passes. Now that's a thrill!

  
When I down loaded pictures, I was shocked! There were not very many to choose from. It seems the girls in the back seat were too busy sharing stories about puppies, children, and life on the road to take pictures.

When Joe and I returned home, we found a note in the door from friends we met a year ago this month. Guy and Catherine are from Belgium. We met them on the Landscape Arch primitive hiking trail. Guy and Joe have stayed in touch thru e-mails and have planned on meeting  here in Moab for many months.

Guy

Catherine

Guy and Catherine really wanted to do Fins & Things (a difficult 4X4 trail in the Sand Flats Recreation Area) so Saturday morning Pearl once again "did her thing".

If you are not afraid of heights and have never ridden the fins...it is a breathtaking experience! Some places are "leather pinchers", but that only adds to the total thrill of the ups and downs and crawling on a mountain of sandstone.

We were lucky enough to follow a jeeper a few sites down from us at Portal...thanks Jim!

And fell right in line with the neatest family...thanks Daneka! We enjoyed our day with all of you.

The picture doesn't show how really steep this is.

The black lines help to keep you on the trail.

A stop for lunch...and what a feast it was! Everyone shares...fresh blueberries, deli rolls, salamai, oatmeal cookies...





A perfect ending to the day...dinner at the Moab Brewery!

 Stay tuned...this energetic group is not done. Up next, exploring Arches NP.

I did see an egret at the Koi Pond in front of Belle.

I love my new Bird Guide...and after studying, my guess is a juvenile Snowy Egret because of the foraging posture and the details on the bill and leg color. What do you think?



The Tan Clan is also enjoying the great outdoors. All is good when we can enjoy sitting out with them.




There is a really cute Fox Terrier next door the girls had to check out!

Until next time, take care...

and happy trails!

All Settled In...

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
May 18, 2014

We pulled out of Camp Verde bright and early Saturday for our two day drive to Moab, UT. Our first day was short...only 130 miles or so to drive to Tuba City, AZ.

 We were traveling north on I-17 towards Flagstaff. Interstates are not my favorite way to go, because they can be boring. But that was not the case on Saturday. In fact, I got this jingle in my head. It's aggravating when that happens because it's really hard to stop singing them. Do you remember "See the USA in your Chevrolet"? It was sung by Dinah Shore. 

We couldn't remember all the words so we made up our own. Of course we don't travel in a Chevrolet, but the words "So make a date today to see the USA" sounds good to me!   

Poor Joe was entertained while I sang my version in the best opera voice I had and then to spice it up, I added my country voice and hey...there's Elvis!



 I don't usually do this, but don't ever spend the night in Tuba City, AZ at the RV campground behind the Quality Inn. I always find something good about the places we spend the night. But there is nothing good to share here. I will spare you the horrid details. Let's just say there have been MANY dog owners that were not responsible for picking up after their pets. 

We were up at 5:00 am and couldn't get Belle cranked up fast enough!

So today, we logged in 244 miles...Hwy 160 to Hwy 163 and finally to Hwy 191.

First,Highway 160, also known as The Navajo Trail, is one of the major routes crossing the Navajo Nation in Arizona...  

Then a left turn onto Highway 163. The southernmost 44 miles of its length are within the Navajo Nation . It is a National Scenic Byway as it goes right thru the heart of Monument Valley. It crosses over the San Juan River and took us to Mexico Hat, UT.

Our first time to see Monument Valley...

    
We crossed the San Juan...

and landed ourselves in Mexican Hat, UT.


That sounded like a most unusual name until...







we saw this sign!






And viola! A geological marvel of erosion...

Highway 191 was the last leg of our trip today...last, but not least as the views of the La Sal Mountains were not to be outdone by rock formations and grazing lands. 

And we did pass by church today...Church Rock that is.

All in all, it was a pleasant two days of travel.

 

 It was exactly one year ago this month that words took on a whole new meaning. Words like...air down, armor-clad, beefing, gnarly, kiss, lifted, pumpkin, and lockers. 

There's Pearl...

It was also when hiking became a way of life. Yep, the backpack and dusty hiking boots have become a necessity!

 

 So yes, we are so glad to be back in Moab.

 

Home Sweet Home

 

Until next time, take care and

 

Driver for hire!

 

enjoy the journey!