Yesterday we headed out for a week on the road. After a six-hour drive, we rolled into Moab, Utah last night. Here for just two short days while en route to the Grand Canyon, our only regret is that we don’t have more time to explore the area.
The ride here was a nice one, but for some unseasonable rain in the Colorado mountains. It basically poured all day long, making driving a little rough in spots. Other than that, it was a clear shot across Colorado and 
into Utah.
Once we hit the western slope of the Rockies, the terrain makes a definite change. Much more desert-like in appearance, red bluffs dot the vast expanse and scrub brush is everywhere. Very barren and desolate, we saw virtually no signs of life until, like an oasis in the desert, Moab appeared.
Our main reason to visit Moab was to see Arches National Park. We spent the day there today, and it was a huge hit with everyone, especially our teen – who happened to get a new camera and eagerly snapped a ton of shots throughout the park.
The initial ascent into the park is a dramatic one, as are the cliffs and rock formations along the way. As we wended our way along the main road, we quickly fell in love with the wide open spaces and breathtaking scenery. We spent most of the day hiking to one arch or another, but I think the kids’ favorite was the trip to Double Arches. Here we were able to climb up and through the arches themselves. My kids also proved themselves to be honorary mountain goats, climbing up any and every rock they could. By the end of the day, they were tired and hungry, but all had huge smiles across their faces. And that, my friends, was priceless.
In Moab, there is no shortage of things to do. The town itself is surprisingly big, with all the amenities you’d need. As for activities, hiking, biking, boating and four-wheeling can keep you busy for quite some time. I think this is a destination worth revisiting.
After all, there are so many things we didn’t get to this time around. Next time – and there will definitely be a next time – we need to bring our bikes and head out to the famous Slickrock Trail for some serious mountain biking.
We’d also love to visit Canyonlands National Park, take a ride out to Dead Horse Point State Park and go on a rafting trip down the Colorado River. The evening boat rides through the canyon lands sound particularly interesting.
While here, we chose to stay at the Moab KOA campground. The location is a good one and the hosts are very nice. The kids love the fact that there’s a pool on site, as well as miniature golf and a rec room. Tonight we’ll relax at the campsite, and tomorrow we’re headed for the Grand Canyon. After two days into our trip, I’m definitely excited for the adventure to continue.
