Summers go by quickly, maybe that’s from long hot days or maybe it’s the fact summer is treated as a retreat from the day to day grind. A long break between semesters or long work weeks; either way it’s a great excuse for an adventure of some kind. So this summer I knew I wanted to do something special and I knew who I wanted to do it with! Being that Catherine had never seen the desert west or tall Colorado mountains I quickly convinced her to come see me in Telluride for a trip to the mountains and a drive to the wonderful red stone of Moab, Utah. Like most things I do I took my camera with me and here are the images of us on our adventure at the end of July 2022.
The first destination after an evening drive from the airport to drinks at The Oak downtown was the ever stunning vistas in Moab, Utah. Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to explore a lot of the easily accessible areas in Moab and the most stunning is this spot. I usually share all my locations but this one is special and I worry about too many people getting here and messing things up. That said if you recognize the view and visit google maps I bet you’d find it on your own pretty quick, if not ask me personally and of course I’ll share it with you!
What I loved most about the day we had in Moab was the ability to experience all the weather had to offer. We started by lounging in the desert sun like reptiles and as we started to burn the clouds came in and the sun went down. So confident was I in the dry desert, I responsibly decided it wasn’t worth figuring out the rain fly that night and like all times one makes that conscience decision it promptly rained on us three short times that night. Though, as we awoke and packed up our site we were happy with the rain we experience because no later did we get down the road did we find ourselves in a torrential downpour. A rain not often felt in the desert, the kind that brings shivers down your back welling up a paranoid feeling with every washed out corner you turn. Luckily the dark clouds moved quickly as we headed toward Cane Creek road and Hole in the Wall.
Getting back to Telluride we were on a mission. We craved a mountain adventure and food so good that we could eat it the rest of our lives. We did end up finding some of the best food in Telluride (Wok of Joy) and while it may not make the cut for a true mountain adventure it was filled with creek crossings, water falls, barefoot bouldering, and romping trails less traveled. We saw the most beautiful wild flowers and as we climbed the canyon neither one of us could stop smiling. Joy at its finest, mountain inspired yes but seared in by being together every step of the way.
The trip was pure bliss. Obviously enjoying the beauty of all these wonderful locations. But I think for us, it was the time back together in person that made everything completely worth it, and memories that will live a lifetime.
