Moab

During some of our Fall Break (Oct. 10-12) we went to Moab with our friends, Dave and Emily and their kids.  Dave had a Jeep rental he needed to use and since he has a Jeep of his own he had us use it.  Our plan was that I would drive the Jeep.  Nate would drive the side-by-side (that we pulled down on a trailer).  Dave would drive his Jeep.  Simple, right?  Well, when I first heard the plan I was so mad at Nate.  I have never loved off roading.... digging.... Jeeping.... whatever you want to call it.  I would even say I have never even liked it.  Hate would be a more realistic answer.  Maybe I just always went with the wrong people.  Nate assured me it would be fun and we wouldn't be doing anything crazy.  I decided to conjure up all my youthful confidence and love for adventure (I used to not be afraid of anything!) and agree to this "man" planned vacation.  And it definitely was MAN planned from start to finish.  I was slightly skeptical it would all turn out fun and worthwhile.

October 11- So our adventure begins....

We chose a trail that was family friendly.  I got coached along on a couple climbs, but all in all it was less difficult than I thought it would be and much more fun.... Yep, my husband was right... once again.  He usually is.  Shhhh... don't tell him I said that.
 

I started out with Rachel, Eliza and Austin in the Jeep with me.  Rachel didn't even stay in the Jeep for my first climb.  She bailed on me!  She walked up the hill.  I must not have been exuding confidence at that moment.  Ha!  She decided she would rather ride in Dave and Emily's Jeep or with Nate in the Rhino the rest of the time.  How rude! ;)

Austin was so good through the whole thing.  We stopped a couple times so I could nurse him then he'd go right back to enjoying the ride.... bumby as it was.  I hope we didn't shake him too much.  His car seat was so dusty by the end of the ride.  We all were actually.

We did a lot of exploring along the way.  It really was a lot of fun.

Chasing lizards in old miners cabins.

Playing on the Dewey Bridge (built in 1916) that spans the Colorado River.  It's just a landmark now.

How could I not like a vacation that looks like this???  The weather was perfect.  The scenery was perfect.  The company was perfect.  Well done, Nate.  I will go repent now.

Why do children feel the need to swim even if the water is FREEZING?!  Crazy I tell you.

Warming up!

We stayed in a ghetto motel.  I won't sugar coat it.  With the Jeep rental, we were so kindly given by Dave, we also got one free night at this motel.  We had to get two rooms so Nate slept in one with some of the kids and I slept in the other with the other kids.  It worked out, but not how I like to spend my vacations.  I prefer slightly nicer accommodations, but it was fine.  The rooms didn't join at all so we had to step outside by all the loiterers and foreign visitors.... yes, it was that ghetto.... to get to the other room.  Memories right?

October 12- Arches National Park.  Rain... bleh.

Then we caught a break....  Beautiful!!

We did some hiking.  Easy hiking.

Delicate Arch in the background.  Nobody fell off a cliff = success!

Then the rain began again.  It didn't let up, so we started driving home.

We stopped for a picnic somewhere along the way when the rain let up.

We had a Gogurt explosion!

Almost home.  Spanish Fork Canyon.

I have to admit that it was a very fun, successful (yet short) vacation.  And it was all planned by men. I'm impressed. Ha!  I'm sure we'll do it again.  I'll choose the hotel, though. ;)