Meet the Greens...

Portal RV Resort
Moab, UT
June 11-15, 2015

One of the best things about RVing is being able to connect with friends. Ronnie and Carol arrived in Moab the first week of June and shortly thereafter, so did their son Brad, DIL Kim, granddaughters Kaylee and Brooke and grandpuppy Derby. 

Ronnie and Carol relaxing on their site...#29, Portal RV.

This was Brad and Kim's first visit to Moab and they were excited to hit the trails. A quick trip to Barlow Jeep Rentals landed them in a 4-door Rubicon...perfect for some Moab adventures. Eager to get started, the next morning we headed out to Gemini Bridges. The skies were gray, clouds were thick, but the forecast was less than 50% chance of morning thunderstorms so we headed out to Gemini Bridges for a morning run.

Yikes! 

After encountering several more water flows like this, we made the decision to turn around. 

Bike Bridge over the Colorado at intersection of Hwys 191 and 128.

Good decision...as we headed back to town, we were amazed at what we saw. By mid-day, Scenic Hwy 128 was closed due to mudslides!




What a difference a day makes! Loaded with water and snacks, we faced north in search of Dellenbaugh Tunnel the next morning..  Spring Bottom Road is a beautiful ride through some beautiful country. Because of the flashfloods the day before, the route thru the wash was iffy, and we missed the left turn out of it so we never found the tunnel.

We had fun traversing some slickrock...

Brad, Kim, Kaylee, Brooke and Derby

Our loop took us out via Mineral Bottom Road where we connected to Hwy 313. 



We decided to try Gemini Bridges again and did it backwards starting at the entrance on Hwy 313. 

L to R...Kaylee, Kim, Brooke, Brad and Derby on one of the bridges.

Ronnie and Carol treated us to ribs, salad and pasta for dinner. Yum-yum!







The next morning we decided on picturesque Schafer switchbacks from bottom (Potash Rd.) to top (Hwy 313) with a side trip to Musselman Arch. 

Kim, Brad and Derby enjoying the view.

 Our loop continued on Long Canyon from top (Hwy 313) to bottom (Potash Rd.). 






The ride down into the canyon is spectacular. The flash floods from earlier had done quite a lot of damage on this trail.  



Dee joined us for our next adventure...3-D 4X4 trail. On the way, we made a stop to check out some dinosaur tracks.

Dee and Brad, Kim and girls

Tracks made 112 million years ago.

Just like the day before, the trail had lots of damage. This fencing washed from the bank in the background...

Dee and Brad scouting out the way to go.

  


...and yikes! Where is the trail?









It is quite the view looking down into Hidden Valley.

Brooke and Kaylee...what nice manners they have! We enjoyed your company!

One last adventure was the first half of Fins and Things. This was a late afternoon excursion and I forgot my camera...sorry guys!

We enjoyed our time with the Greens. A great little family who we hope to meet up with again. 

Derby...what a sweetheart!

HAPPY TRAILS!

The day before Brad, Kim and the girls left, our son Joe and DIL Jena arrived for a week. They left this morning and we miss them already! Needless to say, our week was filled with hugs, laughs, yummy food and yep, some adventures (more on that later) which didn't leave much computer time. It will be fun to catch up with everyone and check out your travels in the next few days.  

The Flying and Dining ...Part 3

Portal RV Resort

Moab, Ut

June 9, 2015

June 9th was Dee's birthday. Jim and Kathleen arranged for a REDTAIL AVIATION adventure as a gift for their sister. Joe and I were blown away with excitement when we were invited to join them. 

We traveled in a cozy 6 passenger, single engine Cessna 207 aircraft better known as a Skywagon. 

Larry, Jim, Kathleen, and Dee

Larry, far left, was our pilot. He retired as Chief Ranger of Canyonlands after a 37 year career in the NPS which included positions at Rocky Mt., Everglades, Grand Canyon, Lake Clark (Alaska) and Zion.  

He is the most personable and knowledgeable tour guide we have ever had anywhere/anytime. His involvement with countless rescue and fire details both on the ground and as a pilot uniquely qualifies him for his second career as a Redtail Aviation pilot/guide.  Larry knows this part of our great country like the back of his hand including much of its colorful history which he so ably shared during our flight.   

The birthday girl was our co-pilot. 

Confluence of the Green River and Colorado River

The Colorado River feeds Lake Powell.

Lake Powell...notice the white line around the lake. It is known as the bathtub ring. 

Monument Valley...Larry told us the names of all these formations, but I don't remember them.

That was the planes wing on the top right of the picture...cool reflection from the rocks!

These two I remember...left side is the Totem Pole and middle to right is The Family.

Natural Bridges National Monument became a NM is 1908. There are three majestic bridges all formed from the power of water.

Angel Arch is located in the Needles District of Canyonlands NP. The arch is 100 ft wide and 150 ft tall. It is not accessible by car. You can hike to it...over a 20 mile hike round trip.

Upheaval Dome is located in the Island in the Sky District of Canyonlands.

Shafer Switchbacks...a very scenic jeep ride.

Potash evaporating ponds can be seen from space.  

Corona Arch 

Circling around Delicate Arch in Arches NP...do you see it?

Landscape Arch in Arches NP.

And here we are about to land...

 Our tour took almost 4 hours which included a stop in Monument Valley to stretch. There we met and visited with Lucy, a beautiful Navajo woman. But that story will have to wait.

Our day ended with a glass of wine and the best steak dinner ever at Jeffrey's Steakhose.

Jim, Dee and Kathleen
Happy Birthday Dee!

Our time with Dee's family passed by too quickly. It was filled with laughter, fun, "Woohoos!", several breakfasts at Moab Diner and yes a meal or two at Zax. We miss you and look forward to our next get toghther! 

Until next time, take care and

HAPPY TRAILS!