Moab, Utah

Subaroux’s odometer was about to hit 5,000 miles, meaning it was time for a quick check up. With a clean bill of health, a cooler full of groceries and fresh laundry, we left Jackson and headed south towards Moab, Utah. Our longest drive to date was going to land us in the canyons around 8pm, so we decided to secure a camping spot on the main drag to ensure we would not end up with the last spot available next to a elk carcass this time.

What we learned when we arrived is that there's no shortage of camping in Moab. There is, of course, camping in the parks but there are also campgrounds behind hotels, gas stations and even the McDonald's. We rolled into our spot in row G behind the Texaco gas station after dark and set up camp. The gas station actually proved to be extremely helpful as we loaded up on beer and as much ice as we could.

The second thing we noticed upon our arrival is that it’s extremely hot this time of year. Setting up as the sun was going down was actually the right move as the temperature was just starting to dip below 90. We dined on teriyaki marinated chicken, zucchini, potatoes and Tecate that went down like water. Also setting up for the night was a tour group full of 20 somethings from around the globe. They tipped us off to a waterfall 10 miles down the road and we made the metal note to hit it up after Arches National Park the next day.

We woke up early in an attempt to beat the heat and headed to Arches. Erica had registered Roux as her emotional service dog, so we strapped on her harness and spent the day exploring the fascinating park. The drive through the park was awesome and the views were down right magical. From towering spires, balancing rocks and of course arches, it was hard to believe this was mother nature’s doing. According to the textbooks, the thousands of feet thick salt bed was deposited across the Colorado Plateau 300 million years ago when a sea flowed into the area and eventually evaporated. Over the next 100 million years, water, ice, extreme temperatures and underground salt movement are responsible for the epic scenery that now exists (note, we are not historians). Around each corner and at the end of each trail, there was was something awesome to be seen. As the temperatures peeked at 2pm we took our friends advice and headed out of the park towards Faux Falls. We were a bit skeptical about a waterfall existing in the middle of the desert but a few dirt roads later and a hike down an unmarked trail proved us wrong. The cold rush of water was a welcomed treat along with having the falls completely to ourselves.

Wanting an even more personal experience with the landscape, we signed ourselves up for a sunset hummer trip. We also opted for a room at the pet friendly Big Horn(y) Lodge to give Roux a chance to cool down. The red hummer showed up and we picked seats in the back for the bumpiest ride possible. The “machine”, as they call it, took us to Slick Rock, a 4x4 park with killer roads and crazy views. The park provided 80 degree inclines and declines, plus views of the rivers and canyons. We popped out for some extra special photo ops with Alasaurus foot prints (Utah’s dinosaur) and at echo ridge where we were instructed to yell into the canyon. When asked for a word or phrase, Erica provide YOLO for the group and the intense echos back reminded us that we were on a trip of a lifetime. After taking in the beautiful sunset, we drove the windy trails back in the dark and said goodbye to our skilled driver, DeVon. A final night cap at the Moab Brewery prepped us for a good nights sleep, we tucked ourselves in for one last day in Moab.

We were prepared for a day and a night of camping in Canyonlands National Park…or so we thought. We did everything right! We drove through Island of the Sky, exploring views of the canyons straight out of a national geographic magazine. We got into the park early, hitting all of the view points tourist free. We scored the perfect camp spot overlooking the canyon with shade. But, we did not pick up more beer. Now, if it wasn’t already 98 degrees at 10am it would have been no problem. But, if we were going to chill in a desert for the day we needed a cooler full of beers and a deck of cards, 50% was not going to do. We paid $10 for the camp spot, put out our 2 camping chairs and decided to head out of the park to snag beers and grab burgers at Milt’s Stop and Eat, a recommended burger joint from Erica’s brother. Milt’s burgers were, in fact, the perfect mid afternoon treat, as was running into 3 of Pierce’s buddies who were enroute to the Grand Canyon. Having partied with them at Jazz Fest, Erica quickly recognized Ted behind her in line. Ted, Kevin and Jeff had scored last minute spots to raft down the Colorado River through Grand Canyon for 16 days and had chosen Milt’s as their final meal before heading into the rapids. We salute you dare devils and hope to add that to our list of accomplishments one day too! The thought of water got us thinking…we could take one last detour to Ken’s Lake to cool off before going back to our camp spot right? 102 degrees, hell yeah we can. The lake was full of locals, dogs and was the perfect atmosphere for a dunk and a couple of beers. Finally cooled off, Erica said exactly what Tim was thinking…..”what if we sacrifice our chairs, chill here and then head to Telluride where it’s 30 degrees cooler?” DONE! Moab, you were stunning, colorful, wild, adventurous and darn right toasty. We hope the next campers appreciate our $15 chairs from Marshall's and Tim’s mom forgives us for leaving them behind #2chairsleftbehind.

Oil Change: 4,623 miles
Gas Station Glamping: Canyonlands RV Resort & Campground