Spring Fever in Utah

[kcowyo]

"It's Spring Fever. That's what the name of it is. And when you've got it, you want - oh, you don't know quite what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!"
- Mark Twain

"Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's Party!' "
- Robin Williams


April 25th -28th

On the tail end of the longest winter I can recall, I awoke from this virtual hibernation and I wanted out. A few local day trips in the area and the numerous trip planning threads here on ExPo weren't helping. I couldn't take one more snowy weekend sitting inside. With the urgency of an Ob-Gyn with a baby in the breech position, I declare to my ladyfriend, "We have to get out of here! We have to go to Utah and we have to go this weekend!"

She knows me and she has been to Utah with me. As if a spontaneous 4 day weekend trip to Utah were a rational request, she wholeheartedly agrees. We spend the next 48 hours prepping for a run down Hwy 191. I plan a rough itinerary of some favorite spots, email Ara about a possible meeting and check the weather. All systems are a go, so on Thursday evening, we fire up the truck & camper and begin our all night, 8 hour drive down to Moab.

Arriving in town Friday morning at sunrise, we have a hearty breakfast at a favorite eatin' joint. Then it's over to the City Market where we stock up on enough rice, peanut butter, Doritos and cookies for 4 days. Soon we're off to our first stop, Canyonlands National Park and the White Rim Trail. We arrive before I would normally even be in the office. This is going to be a good day.

Looking back up to the Shafer Trail and switchbacks -

I have been fortunate enough to do the 100 mile White Rim Trail on two prior occasions. So this time I opt to do only the Shafer Trail before joining other nearby trails. At the bottom of the Shafer switchbacks, we turn off and begin the Potash Road. Another scenic trail, less crowded than the White Rim. After descending the Potash Road we turn up Long Canyon, finishing the day nearly where we started near Dead Horse Point State Park.

With a view of the La Sal's to die for, we find at the top of Long Canyon, the ideal campsite. It's 5 pm and I've been awake and driving for 34 hours straight. I propose (she wishes...) a little nap before dinner. So we pop the top, throw out the bedrolls and I promptly begin snoring loud enough to scare away any critter in eastern Utah. I awake from my quick nap at 11pm. Shoot. Too late for sunset and too late for dinner. So I roll back over and quickly begin snoring and dreaming about the next day in Arches National Park .

 

[awalter]

Part 2?

 

[Paul R]

Thats cool we did that exact same loop down schaffer up long canyon on Sunday. It was a great day trip
In fact we must have just missed you as we spent Saturday in Arches as well. :safari-rig:
Can't wait to see your pictures...

 

[kcowyo]

April 26

The day begins early with my brain in a fog. From not enough sleep to almost 15 hours of straight sleep was more than my mind could sort out. Two cups of camp coffee and I come out of it, telling my brain the day is only going to get better. We pack up quickly and begin the short trek over to Arches NP.

On the way out of Long Canyon, two campers from a nearby site stop us and inquire about the length of time to drive out to the highway, down to Moab and back up Long Canyon. Apparently this couple had attempted Long Canyon in the dark in a car the night before. When they reached Pucker Pass, their car would go no more and they had hiked up to the top of the trail and pitched a tent. Now they were stuck.

I improved my travelling karma by sharing what I knew and giving them a spare map of the area. They had other friends nearby so they didn't need a ride. But without a map they had unknowingly driven up Long Canyon in a sedan. Not smart. Feeling good about myself and wishing them the best we took off again. Looking back at the guy and his girlfriend, all I could think was, "That poor guy is never going to hear the end of this...."


Skyline Arch -

A Saturday in any national park is not the best time to avoid the crowds but we took our chances. Once through the bottleneck of traffic at the entry station, we put on our tourist hats and took in the spectacular scenery. A brief hike to the Delicate Arch overlook yielded tremendous views, different than the standard fare. Moving on to the Sand Dune Arch, we found another geological wonder.

We narrowly avoided an international incident when a small group of German tourists came upon us as we were taking a goofy self portrait of ourselves in front of the arch. A man offered in his best broken English to take our picture for us but as I attempted to explain we like to take our own goofy self-portraits, I could see he thought I was either an ugly American or didn't understand his generous offer. Perhaps if I had offered him some Feurzangenbowle, we could have had shared a few laughs instead of a few confused looks. But hey, danke schoen anyway.

Willow Flats Trail -

I had planned on taking the dirt road out to Klondike Bluffs and the Eye of the Whale arch. However the gate was closed. A little disappointed, we turned back south to exit the park with the masses. A brief stop at Balancing Rock revealed the Willow Flats trail was open, so we quickly proceeded out of the park on the 7 mile two track headed west toward the highway and Moab.

But on that trail I saw something. Something that just wasn't right. Something I will forever associate with Arches NP unfortunately....

A couple of miles out on the Willow Flats trail, in the soft sandy two track we were bouncing along, enjoying the blue skies, warm temps and soft squeek of my dirty hood latch on every bump. We crested a small hill and maybe 100 yards in front of us pulled off slightly to the side of the road was a newer silver Jeep Grand Cherokee. Standing on the roof of the Jeep was a man. And he was.... well,.... he was butt nekkid. Southern writer/humorist Lewis Grizzard defines "naked" as having no clothes on. But according to Grizzard, "nekkid" is when you have no clothes on and you're up to something.

In addition to nekkid Jeep guy on the roof of his Grand Cherokee, is a guy standing on the ground, fully clothed, looking up at his nekkid companion. Taking pics? Drawing a nude portrait? Enjoying the view? Getting Brokeback? I have no idea. From our distance it was unclear what they were doing. I really don't want to know anyway. When they saw us, nekkid Jeep guy quickly jumped off the roof and hopped in the front seat. His companion, laughing, ran around the Jeep and jumped in the driver's seat.

I passed by them, desperate not to make eye contact and hoping they didn't try to wave us down. I thought about offering nekkid Jeep guy some sunscreen but I changed my mind. The remainder of our trip back into Moab was spent speculating about why some guy would be standing nekkid on top of his Jeep, in front of his friend in the middle of nowhere. We concocted some terrific reasons which had us both in tears laughing the rest of the drive back into town.

Must be a Jeep thing. I wouldn't understand -

 

[Brett M]

:xxrotflma

It's not a Jeep thing, as I will never ever be caught nekkid like that near or in mine!

 

[suntinez]

Seems there's always a great tale when KC takes a trip!! :rally_guys:

 

[Willman]

Thanks KC!.......I needed this!

Love the writeup!!!!


I'm not sure about the Jeep thing ether???...oh well!...lol


:elkgrin:

 

[Moody]

Nice!!

Keep it coming...

:xxrotflma

 

[kcowyo]

Upon our return into town, we stopped at the Moab Brewery for lunch. Following a quick bite, we opt to take a stroll down Main Street to take in the parade of classic cars that are in town for the weekend. An amazing selection to see if you're into that kind of thing. We certainly were.

 

[Funrover]

Beautiful cars!

 

[Explorer 1]

I think I saw your orange flower bus???

Do you spend some time that week at the Moab Rim Campground? Thought I recognized the Bus, maybe a twin but I doubt it.

Fred
Explorer 1

 

[kcowyo]

After a morning in Arches and an afternoon in town, we left Moab headed south on Hwy 191. Our plan of sorts was to meet Ara that evening about 100 miles away in Bluff. We had spent more time in town than anticipated due to the unexpected classic car cruise. By the time we left at 5pm, I was wondering if we would make Valley of the Gods for sunset photos before catching up with Ara.

I overestimated the miles by just a few but we made it to the Mokee Dugway and down into Valley of the Gods at last light. It's on this leg, when I am attempting to chase the sinking sun, that I'm reminded how much I truly enjoy running this truck and camper combo. The truck offers such a steady and smooth ride on the long stretches of blacktop and hauls the camper around effortlessly on slow going trails. From Utah to California to Colorado, both truck & camper have handled it all. I love my 'new' Landcruiser, but this set up was made for trips like this.

I try to remember where I am when I visit Valley of the Gods. It's a special valley to the Native Americans. Although I am not Native American, I try to be extra respectful in places they consider sacred and magic. I mean, it can't hurt to have a little magic rub off on me, right? So I move at a slower pace, like a paranoid guest and I try to take extra moments here to let it all soak in. Valley of the Gods is not only someplace you want to see, it's a place you want to feel.

Cheesy? Maybe, but I'm on vacation.

Mokee Dugway -

So we take a leisurely drive through the valley when the sun finally calls it a day. Ara is somewhere on the other side of the 17 mile road. At this rate we'll be rolling up on him in the dark. And his dog Spirit, the Pit Bull. I pull over to let that thought percolate and to snap a few last pictures. Looking around the red sandstone pinnacles and buttes, I find myself right where I want to be.

It was looking at photos of places like this that got me through such a long Wyoming winter. I know Ara may be waiting, but he's been out here living it for weeks and I only have this moment. I make the selfish call to camp in Valley of the Gods and find Ara in the morning. I can only hope and assume that he'll understand.

Like a sign that it was meant to be, as soon as I suggest camping in VOG that night, she spots a beautful campsite under a giant red spire, looking down on the valley around us. When we make the short drive up to the campsite, we can see a small cluster of 5th wheels and RV's about a half mile down the trail from us. It's too far to even hear a generator, so we make ourselves at home and light a campfire. We spend the rest of the evening gazing around us and saying, "Wow, what a great spot" to each other.

The end of a unique day -

 

[DaktariEd]

Very cool, KC!
I gotta do that trip someday...soon!
('cept for the nekkid guy thing....)

 

[Rockcrawler]

Very nice KC... Alice and I will be up there next month seeing some of the same areas in our new FWC. :jump:

 

[teotwaki]

Pictures are nice but I really enjoyed the storytelling. :elkgrin: