There's a slot canyon near Goblin State Park? We've always wanted to walk one of those but rain makes that a dangerous activity. What to do? Fortunately we had an easy time deciding whether to do the hike, the sun came out and dried up all the rain drops. On the morning we were set to leave we got up early and were the first hikers through the canyon.
We spent a day on our bicycles checking out the washes and canyons of this BLM region. It's pretty interesting in that its a fold in the earths crust that was created when the pacific plate shifted. Ancient sand dunes and red sandstone dominate the views. We spent a few days in a remote valley in the San Rafael desert. Great hiking and mountain biking but no cell service or Wi-fi. Yes, it rained, lightning, the whole bit but the little guy kept us very comfortable. After five days in the Moab area, we packed up camp and will be shifting over to Escalante and Bryce canyon. Tonight we'll camp in Goblin Valley.But first - a recap of our activities in Moab. I've been wanting to write about what I like about living outside... The recent weather has solidified these ideas. We only encountered rain twice this trip. Both times we were unprepared. First time on a bike ride in Wisconsin twenty minutes from camp. Second time yesterday on a hike in Arches also twenty minutes from camp. We didn't melt!! BUT WE GOT WET! The campground host told me she's been here ten years and only twice saw rain like that. We came into Utah on I 70 and then traveled south to Moab on SR 128. Calling it a 'Scenic Byway' really doesn't do it justice, nor do the photos. Now it's on to Dead Horse State Park to begin our month in Utah. After a uneventful drive through Nebraska we arrived in Colorado. We set up camp just east of Grand Jumction in a state park along the Colorado River. A lovely spot inspite of the occasional train that rumbled by. We are traveling I 80 on our way to Utah. They take their wind seriously in Nebraska and a hot wind it is. Eastern Nebraska is located in the mid west prairie with green rolling hills. As we traveled West you enter the Great Plains, much browner and flat. After a long drive we stopped in Big Springs NE for a night along the highway. We are officially on the road again. We plan a three day drive to our first camp in Utah. First stop: Grinnell, Iowa. We always try to check out the "historic downtown" section of towns as we travel. Grinnell is no exception. They had an interesting building designed by Louis Sullivan. |