2010 Review: Moab Trip

Last spring we took a trip to Moab with my family. The first day we went to Arches National Park and enjoyed the beautiful scenery. It is an amazing place. It was also very windy.
We stayed in a rented condo for a week and had a great time together. We took turns making meals, swam in the pool (Hyrum loved it) and saw the neat sights in the area.


On the second day, Adam hiked with my dad and Brian to Delicate Arch. The rest of us hiked to a viewing area where we could see the Delicate Arch from a distance. The weather was cold and it was snowing lightly as we started up the trail. The trail we took was supposed to be less treacherous and less strenuous so we figured it would be better for the kids. Well, we got to one point where we could see the arch and we could choose to go farther across a huge slab of sloping rock. Given the fact that the rock was wet and if the kids fell they might not be able to keep from falling off the mountain, I stayed behind while the others went ahead. While they were gone, the weather changed and we were suddenly being pelted by hail. We had a broken umbrella and no trees or shelter anywhere nearby. I was afraid of slipping down the trail if we started back down since Annie was crying and insisted that I carry her. The trail to that point had been a lot of slippery rock steps. We tried to crouch down next to a boulder, which didn't help much. Eventually, David came to the rescue. He returned and carried Annie down the steps without slipping in spite of her protests (she wanted mommy to hold her).
Here is the view from where Adam was. The hail hit just before they got to the arch so they waited it out next to this cliff and watched a plethora of little waterfalls form all across the landscape.




We also enjoyed sand dune arch with it's great sand. It was so nice and warm where the sun had been shining on it. And of course Brian couldn't resist climbing the arch and almost getting stuck.

We went on another hike that Hyrum and I had to leave early to find a restroom. While we waited for everyone to get back, we started playing a board game on a wooden picnic table. Hyrum got his first sliver and it was a fairly traumatic experience in which he was absolutely terrified of letting me get it out for him.

We had fun climbing this giant boulder (and for some of us, jumping off).

Then we went to one of my most favorite places ever-- Goblin Valley. I think this is only the second time that I've been there but I was very excited to show this huge, natural playground to my kids. And we had perfect weather, too!