Moab and Arches

It’s worth noting that we’ve seen a Westfalia on the road every single day so far this week. But, still no T2’s.

We had a sweet camping spot on BLM land next to the Colorado river that allowed us to take a dip and cool off when the Utah heat was unbearable. And, I’m already doing campsite repairs. Somehow, my pricey high-power second battery-isolating relay blew out while driving the other day. Now, I just manually jumper a wire across to before we start our driving day.

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We didn’t know this, but if you arrive at Arches National Park before opening hours (7:30 AM), there is sign that says to just come on in – no charge. Since you should strongly consider ending your summer day in the park before 10AM, we highly recommend getting here early anyway. Daytime temps are about 110F. It’s hot. There’s no shade. Bring lots of water.

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We only did a few short hikes – seriously, there’s no shade here – before heading back into town and deciding on a campsite with a few amenities. We parked next to the RV’ers and tried to fit in. Thing is, nobody was home.  All of these folks pull up, unhook their tow vehicle, plug in the RV, turn on the A/C, then drive away in the car. Sometime after dinner, they come back to their chilled RV and go to bed.

I feel like a sucker. We’re sweating outside at a picnic table all day and taking cold showers and throwing water balloons at each other to avoid overheating… and pay the same price as the people pulling kilowatts when they’re not even there. 37 bucks a night! I literally fell asleep on our picnic bench last night since it was just too hot to sleep in the bus. I woke up when they turned on the sprinklers. Clearly, we’re doing it wrong. Time to go…

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6 thoughts on “Moab and Arches

  • July 27, 2014 at 5:26 AM
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    So just out of curiosity, where is it “Time to go” ? What is happening with the European/Africa journey you spoke of back in the end of October 2013? Or change of plans?

  • July 27, 2014 at 7:54 AM
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    Glen – we’re still hoping to do Europe/Africa, but it won’t be this year. The ‘ole “life got in the way” thing happens every now and then. We accept that there will always be a change of plans. We had re-planned to go to Alaska this summer, but now we’re too late in the season and that’s changed as well.

  • July 27, 2014 at 8:06 AM
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    So where are you going?! Just a tour?

  • July 27, 2014 at 8:52 AM
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    Fun area but yes it can get very hot theree, at least the humidity is low. Some places you may want to see. Just north of Moab along Hwy. 279/Potash Road (going west from Hwy.191) are dinosaur tracks and native petroglyphs at the picnic area pullout. Goblin Valley State Park north of Hanksville has a nice campground but not shaded. It’s worth stopping at to see the Valley of the Goblins. Hanksville further south on Hwy 24 had a nice shaded campground that I stayed at 15 years ago. Watch for the Mulberry trees staining stuff and mosquitos at night though. Further south of Hanksville off of Hwy 276 is a extremely shaded BLM campround called Star Springs, very nice if the spring isn’t dry. In the close area of Star Springs you can find a lot of very pretty petrified wood, contact me directly for directions. West of Hanksville is Capitol Reef National Monument, a definate should visit. The rock water slide on the east side is very fun for kids. Also more petrified wood is easily found on Hwy 24 west of Hanksville. West of Capitol Reef, take Hwy 12 south up in the Dixie National Forest. A good rise in elevation, lots of shaded NFS campgrounds, just watch for the cattle on the road. Continuing on 12 southerly, Escalante is a very nice town with several campgrounds and the state park, worth visiting. Check locally on the collecting availability of Moqui Marbles. You’re in a very beautiful and fun area, just don’t load up so much you try to reenact a certain scene from The Long, Long Trailer .

  • July 27, 2014 at 2:56 PM
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    If you make it to Oregon we still have a place for you folks to relax. and 2 cats on a leash!

  • July 28, 2014 at 8:09 AM
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    When we went to Arches in early spring the kind lady at the booth told us point blank NOT to come here in the summer. How did Red Beard make out with chugging up the hill at the entrance?

    I have the same arch photo for my desktop, which my kids standing in it, which gives you an indication of how HUGE they are..

    Looks great, except for the heat…

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