When in Moab, Take Shafer's Switchbacks

Eight years ago, we came to Moab on our Honeymoon.  On the back of a KTM 990, ready for adventure.  We took Potash Road to Shafer's Switchbacks (click for a flashback).  This year, we did the same with our girls and Katie in the Jeep.

If you're ever in Utah, you must travel into Canyonlands.  It is a requirement and should be on everyone's bucket list.  And to think, Katie grew up here.  What a place to grow up in.  

The desert is a special place.  It is not for everyone, but it is for me.  The first time I came to Arizona, I knew I wouldn't leave.  The first time I went to Utah, I knew immediately it was a place where my soul belonged.  I feel more alive, more at peace in the desert.  There is beauty in the desolation.  

We left the rivers edge and made our way from BLM lands to Canyonlands.

I remember how badass we thought we were on the KTM.  This was the first time we took it offload, two-up.  We later did much rougher, technical stuff, but on this trek eight years ago, we thought we were gods.

At the top and back on pavement, Mike aired the tires up after a picnic stop in the shade.  Katie is great company and loves our girls.  She loved all over them in the back of the Jeep. 

We pushed through into the park to check out some overlooks.  We did not do that on our honeymoon, as we were more focused on hitting a bit of the White Rim Trail.  No dogs allowed in the back country, means an opportunity to see the land from the top down.  

And that is how the White Rim Trail got its name.  It was really amazing to see it from above.  Mike pointed out some of the route we took on our Honeymoon.  

It was a great day.  We motored back to the cabin.  Popped into the market to buy fresh food to cook up for dinner and after another amazing day, lazed around until bed time.

Doing the Tourist Thang in Needles

Securing the Cabin Perimeter is Exhausting

Katie went to Moab to spend the day with her parents.  Mike and I lazed around for a few hours before taking off towards the Needles District of Canyonlands.

Up and the mountain we went and pit stopped for the girls.  It is butterfly season in the mountains and I love photographing them every year.

We motored on past Newspaper Rock and into Canyonlands.  With dogs, you are extremely limited to paved areas.  There motto: Paws on Pavement.  It sucks.  I understand that National Parks are trying to protect the land and wildlife, but we almost exclusively travel with the dogs, so yeah.  We did the tourist thing and just hit a few overlooks.  It was hot, so we didn't take the girls out.

I'm sure the hiking is spectacular in the park.  But after about an hour, we headed back out and up out of the heat.  Before heading back to the cabin, we popped into the forest for a bit more exploration.

Hope loved the forest.  So many smells.  So much to see.  And the deer. A dogs dream.  Elly thrives in the woods.  A bit of exploration, then a good nap in the pine needles.  

After a detour to a tiny waterfall, we headed back to the cabin where Katie and her mom had dinner already made.  Man we were spoiled.  We enjoyed the cool mountain breeze, talked for a while then turned in.

Moab to Lands End

After breakfast, we packed up and cruised into Moab for errands.

Mandy and I did laundry during lunch at the Moab Brewery.  The food did not disappoint again.  Mike even bought himself a cask of a local brew to take home.  Some grocery shopping happened, then we headed east bound parallel with the Colorado River.

Our love for Moab has not waned, and during this picturesque cruise, we decided that for our five year anniversary, we'd return on the bike to enjoy it more.

The gorgeous red cliffs gave way to smaller white formations until finally dissolving into nothingness.

We could see storms far off into the horizon, but did not encounter any during our cruise towards Grand Junction, Colorado. We turned south from there in hopes of climbing into higher elevations for a good camp spot.

In Whitewater, CO, we turned east and drove straight up a mountain on Lands End Road in Grand Mesa National Forest.  The lesser hills to this mountain were a bizzare moonscape type in color and shape.  I was waiting to see the Mars Rover practicing on these hills.

Tight switchbacks ensued. 

 At the top of the range, we found a turn off and camped at 10,000 feet.  I wandered off towards the edge with the dogs.  We enjoyed a small hike and amazing views.  Also, the wildflowers were so vibrant in all of the Colorado ranges.

I went back to camp to prep dinner.  I gave Mike the camera when the sun began to set.  I could tell instantly that tonight would yield an amazing sunset.

Not knowing where he went, I ran off with my iPhone to snap some shots. We connected at the ridge again and were able to watch the color show together.  The breeze was beginning to chill, but it was worth the time alone together.

After dinner, I looked over and saw that the moon was rising behind some light clouds.  I had to snap its progress.

We lit the campfire and played dominoes before the wind cooled enough to chase us to bed.

Another day well spent on the road.

Manti-LaSal's Part II

Around dawn-o'clock, we were rudely awakened by some idiot in a diesel pulling a fifth wheel.  We intentionally choose bumpy, rocky roads to avoid fifth wheeled morons.  This one decided to drag his rig just up to our camp before panicking and turning around.  So commence with an Austin Powers' inspired turn around, a bed full of barking hounds, and a pissed off Rommel who barked back for being woken up.

We were all awake.  Dick.  So breakfast and pack up. Too early after so little sleep.

We headed out and made our way to Newspaper Rock. A quick stop off at an overlook gave us an impressive view of part of Canyonlands National Park.  Canyonlands has a special part in my heart since Mike and I honeymooned there (click here for the blog).

Newspaper Rock was worth the quick detour.

After that, we slabbed it towards Moab.  We turned off miles before town to head to another mountain range in the Manti-LaSal National Forest.  Storm clouds were brewing and we were rained on a few times.

Several miles in we noticed a new problem.  The trailer brake system wasn't working.  Another issue from our battery problem discovered yesterday.  Joy.  The boys popped the hood at a loop while Mandy, the dogs and I meandered around.

After a sorta-kinda fix, we continued on.  These mountains were blah.  I preferred the previous set.  Just on the other side, with a sweet view of Moab, we found a crappy road to go camp on.  We love crappy roads. It weeds out other conventional campers.

Tucked snuggly into the aspen grove, we proceeded to relax.

Mike wandered off with all three dogs, and Mandy and I hiked a short way on a trail behind our camp site.  We found a small waterfall crossing the trail.  I practiced with long exposures on the water.

The sun began to set around dinner time.  Mike, the kids and I wandered off towards the overlook hoping for a beautiful sunset over the valley.  We were sorely disappointed with the show.  It was however, a peaceful and romantic way to cap off the day.

It just doesn't get better than this folks.