Sunday September 11, 2016
Arrived at Adrift Adventures at 7:00 am along with Jason and Temica who were the other adventurers in our all-day jeep tour. Chip Brox was our driver and guide. The first half a day was a jeep tour of the back country of Arches National park. The park is geologically amazing with unique arches carved into huge blocks of sandstone. There are tall thin columns of sandstone, huge rocks balanced on tiny columns and other much smaller rocks. Many of the balanced rocks look unnatural – it is difficult to understand how these rocks weighing hundreds of tons could appear so off balance. But they haven’t yet!
At noon we drove back to Moab for a great lunch and a break from being jostled back and forth by the jeep climbing up and down steep rocks. We did a couple of short hikes to get up close and personal with some of the arches. There are many natural arches in the park and we were not going to be able to see them all. Some of the more well-known arches like “Delicate Arch” we were not able to see as there is a 1.5 mile hike to see it. Another famous feature is “The Devil’s Furnace” another place we could not see. The Devil’s Furnace requires a park guide and a permit and takes half a day.
The second half of the day was a tour of Canyonlands National Park. Canyonlands, although only 20 miles to the west is a totally geological park than Arches. There are arches in this park but this park is multiple times larger than Arches with the Colorado and Green Rivers dividing it into three geological different and distinct. Our tour was of the “Island in the Sky” third of the park. We did not do any climbing up rocks and boulders.
Features in the park are massive. Towards the end of the day we drove up “Schafer Trail” which is a road that switchbacks up the side of the canyon. On the way up the canyon wall we spotted some Desert Bighorn Sheep – they were just below the edge of the road and very casual on the shear angle slope down to the switchback below us. By the end of the day we were exhausted and went to Milts for dinner. An A&W/diner style restaurant in a residential neighborhood. PRC
Another entertaining and exciting day – We went on an all day jeep ride, starting at 7 am in Arches National Park. Our guide, “Chip” chose to do Arches first as the light is best in the morning. A couple from St. Louis was on the trip with us. They were a lot of fun.
With Chip as our guide, we were able to see locations that many people are not aware of. Speaking of awareness… – one of our first stops was a short walk into an area that had the beauty and serenity of a cathedral. As Chip indicated, it was an appropriate location for the anniversary of 9/11. I felt I could stay there all day but I’m glad I didn’t as there was so much more to see.
The park was stunning. We have red rock in the Sedona area, but not in such a large area. We also have rock formations in Sedona, but this is different. I’m so glad we were able to see and experience arches that many people do not get to see. The tour included lunch after our time in Arches. Then we were off to Canyonlands National Park. It was several miles to the park as we took back roads appropriate for the jeep. If we had driven our own vehicle we would have missed much scenery and of course the excitement of jeeping over the rocks. Chip spoke of the abundance of long horn sheep along this road. And Peter was able to spot them to everyone’s excitement.
At the Canyonlands Visitor Center we couldn’t resist purchasing a couple of t-shirts. No earrings though. Although we don’t have t-shirts from Flagstaff we don’t plan to buy anymore… JY
Monday September 12, 2016
We went into town to get a souvenir. Then we drove to the Arches visitor center to get my passport stamped and then to the dinosaur park for lunch. We then drove to the Island in the Sky visitor center in Canyonlands for another stamp. Back to town and spent the rest of the day pre-packing for our journey to Flagstaff. PR
Peter has a “passport” that he gets stamped at the National Parks we visited. We didn’t get them stamped yesterday so we went back today to accomplish this. Peter wanted one more souvenir from Moab so we picked one up. He collects a small souvenir from all the places we visit.
The afternoon was spent getting ready for our drive to Flagstaff. I made chicken soup so we could eat something light for dinner. JY
Tuesday September 13, 2016
A travel day – we left Moab at 7:00 am and headed down the road. The drive, although long, was uneventful. We drove through “Monument Valley” and had to stop and take pictures of the amazing rock formations.
At one stop while I was returning to the car after taking pictures I offered to take a picture of a young couple who were balancing the camera on their car. It was a Japanese couple and they were delighted at my offer. They wanted a picture of the two of them jumping in the air kicking their feet up behind them. I got the picture they wanted and then they insisted they take a picture of me doing the same thing. I was 3 times their age so it was harder for me although they did get the picture. Throughout the whole process they incessantly bowed to me in thanks and I bowed back every time. We arrived in Flagstaff around 4:00 pm although the time changes screwed us up for a couple of hours. PRC
Heading back to Arizona today. We appreciated Utah as we drove to Az. It was a very peaceful, but long drive. I had never been to Monument Valley and was stunned with its beauty. Soon we entered AZ – yeah! Then we were in the familiar town of Flagstaff, close to home. Autumn has started in northern AZ. JY
Wednesday September 14, 2016
We decided to go to Bookman’s and have some coffee, look through the books and work on the blog. Kind of a quiet day and then back to the RV. PRC
As you know, the majority of RV’ers own at least one dog. Sometimes we feel a little left out but still don’t plan on becoming pet owners. We’ve seen a lot of things on this 3-month trip. Today was a surprise though – we met a neighbor’s pet, Watson. Watson is a pig. (They have a dog also.)
It has been a low key day in Flagstaff. We spent a couple of hours in my favorite bookstore, Bookman’s. Also spent some time working on the Blog. We plan to close out our blog before we leave Flagstaff.
Hopefully we will do a short hike in the morning… JY
Thursday September 15, 2016
Today is prep day for moving. We did get up and go for a two mile walk at Buffalo Park – this was the same park we hiked when we were training for the Camino so it brought back lots of memories. After the hike we decided to go to Lowell Observatory as June Yvonne had never been there and I was there over 20 years ago. The solar system hasn’t changed much but the observatory has grown in size, attractions and scientific research staff. We had the opportunity to view protrudances on the surface of the sun and listen to two interactive lectures on the discovery of the planet Pluto by Clyde Tombough in 1930.
Tomorrow we head down the road to Phoenix, home and get to see Dan, Maya and Lilia again. although the summer vaction was wonderful in every aspect we miss the kids very much and can’t wait to hug them and hear their voice. PRC
Friday September 16, 2016
Homeward Bound!!
Finally heading home after over 3 months on the road. Besides seeing Dan, Lilia and Maya; I am looking forward to not doing the blog anymore. However Peter is going to close out when we reach Phoenix. There are probably photos to be added that we didn’t have a chance to include.
We learned a lot from this trip regarding how to better prepare for our next journey. But also about each other. It’s been a wonderful journey and I’m glad to head home. I hope to see you soon!!! JY
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