Moab 2013

 Moab blew us away.  It is youthful, energetic, scenic and plain old fun.  We were on the Hole In The Rock Jeep trail outside of Moab when we came upon this derelict half track.  It looks to be WWII vintage and it is just the bones left.  What a story this vehicle could tell if it could talk.  Many bullet holes are present testifying to the rural nature of the area.

 This is the Jeep as we leave the half track and begin out journey into even more remote country.  Traveling like this it is wise to have a first aid kit, water, sleeping bags and some food.  I have a small kit of emergency items to get unstuck or take care of us.  Nonetheless it is very remote and easy to get into trouble if you are not careful.

 Another pic of the half track as we get ready to leave.  There were numerous trucks parked in this area, hunters we think, that took four wheelers out.  Some camp in the middle of no where, others return as the day ends.

 The trail at this point was not to bad but became worse the further out we went.

 This is the road further up.  About 150 years ago some Mormons came from the West to set up towns in the region and brought horse drawn wagons over this trail.  I was amazed they did this.

Good roads were appreciated when we came to them and there were some to be had.

 Some of the scenery we encountered.  Pure magic.  This trail was awesome becoming more and more challenging as we went.  There were points we could not find the trail, other places Carol had to get out to give direction as we went up or down the flat rock so the Jeep was not damaged.  Several times we had one or more wheels off the ground as we crawled forward.  It was my first flat rock experience having always done the mountains.  Many of the rocks had scrapes where vehicles had not quite gone over them and we even found parts of vehicles out there.  We spent a day out there and it eventually drops out to Lake Powell.  It is a dead end and you have to come back the way you came.

This is closer to Moab, near Dead Horse Canyon.  We had to walk in to this.  When we got close to this hole we realized it opened to a grassy valley far below which led to the Colorado River.  Surrealistic is the only word I can use to describe it.  The hole comes together forming a natural bridge over the 800 feet below.  Some have fallen to their deaths, sadly.

 We found this table rock near Dead Horse.  Carol kindly climbed up the back and sat there as if ordering pizza and beer.

 These are views from that table top including the Colorado River flowing below.

 It is fun to play tourist once in a while!  Carol did the same.

 Please excuse the order of the pictures but this is back at the big hole.  Over my left shoulder is the canyon that is 800 feet down and that leads to the Colorado River.

This is a memorial placed in memory of a fallen Jeeper/Hiker who fell to his death.  I suspect it is there to warn others of the danger.  It would be easy to fall as there are no guard rails or safety items to prevent a fall. 

 This is the area where you can jump over 800 feet if you feel so inclined.  Neither Carol nor I had any desire to test our prowess.

Coming back from Dead Horse Canyon we passed this huge rock that looks like a bird.  Interestingly it is an area where you can disperse camp.  Notes for our next trip!

 This road will take you to Dead Horse Canyon and looks pretty easy till you go up a little further.  It then requires four wheel drive for a bit but then smooths out.  I'd like to dry camp near the previously mentioned bird rock but would have to go around on the paved road to Dead Horse Canyon and then turn to access it if we were hauling the trailer.  Then again we just might try it.

On the way to Moab we stayed in Ouray CO, a favorite of ours.  Outside our room sits this old stage.  Very cool I thought!

 These pictures were taken behind our room in Ouray.  The town was pretty quiet in October but the more expensive restaurants were open.  Tends to damage travel funds with those choices!

We stayed in the Shepland Hotel in Durango