And before the nightfall, we found ourselves in Moab, Utah, my new favorite place on this journey.
Utah. Wow. Wow. I have whiplash from rubbernecking at all the outrageous rocks. Like this one, Wilson Arch aka Wilson’s Arch.
Moab
Maybe it’s the treelined streets or the local restaurants and shops, or maybe because it’s a small town with a population of under 6000, or maybe because of the down-to-earth feel it emits, or perhaps those brilliant red rocks breathe a warmth into the fresh atmosphere, I loved the town of Moab.
Arches National Park
I’m running out of words to describe the overwhelming beauty of the various places we’re exploring and wish I had reserved some special words from former posts so that I could use them to describe Arches National Park. Soul candy is all I can come up with at the moment. The National Park Service site describes it as a Red Rock Wonderland. It is that and much more. But for kicks and giggles, check out Wikipedia’s link listing the different colors of red. I saw all of those. I’m certain of it.
We spent an entire day at the park driving, exploring, hiking and climbing up the brilliant and impressive rock formations. For the more adventurous, there are camp sites available. Plan in advance as they were all filled when we arrived.
Check here for fees. It’s very affordable especially since we have the America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass.
Lodging
In addition to Moab being my new favorite town, our 3-night stay at Kokopelli Lodge was dreamy. Kokopelli was by far my favorite lodging on this trip. And while it was slightly out of our budget range at $116.00/night, this was a bargain for a suite that came with full amenities including a kitchen, living room, calming bedroom and very comfortable bed, and back patio with seating. There was an actual yard (fenced in) for Stella to do her business and there were clotheslines out there for hanging wash. Dogs stay free!
Vegan Wanderlust in Moab
Our first two night we ate in, and the other nights we at at the Moab Brewery and the Peace Cafe. Despite an overwhelming amount of food from animals, it’s fairly easy to find vegetarian or vegan in this funky little town. Check out the Moab VegGuide. The Moab Brewery has a cool outdoor seating area and is the only microbrewery in Moab. Do beer and french fries constitute dinner? If so, I had a great dinner there. I loved the Peace Juice Cafe with their messages of spreading goodwill and love to humanity and suggested they consider broadening that circle of love to animals. I had a kick-ass vegan burger and fresh salad.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view. May your mountains rise into and above the clouds.
~Edward Abbey
What is the purpose of the giant sequoia tree? The purpose of the giant sequoia tree is to provide shade for the tiny titmouse.
~Edward Abbey
The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders.
~Edward Abbe
Edward Abbey worked as a seasonal park ranger at Arches in the late 1950s. His 1968 memoir of this experience, “Desert Solitaire,” has become a classic of desert literature.
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Our Journey West Across the US
Post #1: Macon Music in Georgia
Post #2: Boy from Tupelo, Mississippi
Post #3: Two Must-Sees in Memphis Tennessee
Post #4: Mosey Through the Arkansas Ozarks
Post #5: Gettin’ Our Kicks on Route 66 from Missouri to Sapulpa, Oklahoma
Post #6: More Route 66 Kicks from Sapulpa to Oklahoma City
Post #7: Don’t Mess with Texas on Route 66
Post #8: Route 66 Texas Panhandle
Post #9: Bound for Tucumcari, New Mexico
Post #10: Santa Fe’ed Your Soul
Post #11: The Winds of Taos
Post #12: The Good, the Bad, and the Heinous of New Mexico
Post #13: Dusky, Durable Durango
Post #14: Cliff Dwellings of Mesa Verde Colorado
This is Post #15: Moab Rocks
Post #16: No Clever Title for Richfield, Utah
Post #17: Leavening Las Vegas