National Lampoon's Moab Vacation

The epigram can certainly prove true that anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Luckily for us, it too can be played out in reverse; and anything that can go smoothly, will do so, too. During our trip to Moab, we experienced the best {and worst} of both worlds, and due to that, we have memories that will last a lifetime.

We set off for Moab on Thursday morning, and we were more than ready to forget life’s worries for a few days. As we pulled in to town, we did just that. We enjoyed a delicious Jack Daniels Burger paired with a local beer at the Moab Brewery and spoke of our plans for the next few days. Our trip was going to be flawless. Nothing could bring us down.

An absolute must visit if you are in Moab!

Which brings us to our next adventure, setting up camp. While both Wyet and I love being outdoors and crave the solitude that accompanies any great camping trip, Moab wasn't quite on par. There are thousands of people who visit Utah’s National Parks each year; needless to say, the campgrounds are always packed and privacy is a luxury not granted. While we knew the campground experience wouldn't be as serene as our usual private getaways, we were still a little taken back by how “not camping” it felt to be stationed at a campground. Our first night there, we were bothered by the high traffic of the campground and at how close our neighbors were. We went to bed early, feeling a bit let down.

However, Friday more than made up for our previous night. For on Friday, we were explorers, and oh did we explore.  We spent the entire day at Arches National Park, and to be truthful, the pictures do not give it justice. We hiked to arches that defied all natural laws and wondered "How was that still standing?" We felt so small against the magnitude of the natural world, and it was refreshing and remarkable. We hiked dozens of trails that Arches had to offer and really pushed ourselves to conquer these feats.

The first sight we happened upon at Arches was Balancing Rock. We could see this landmark from miles away and just kept wondering how it kept from toppling over. 

Wyet looking extra small against this huge arch!

The North and South Windows

On our way to see Delicate Arch. Approaching these sheer drop-offs was when the anxiety hit hard!

This is one of my favorite shots from the entire trip- viewing Delicate Arch through another arch on the trail.

The magnitude and beauty of this place is definitely not overrated. 

When we reached the top, I was feeling on top of the world. Then, a huge gust of wind nearly knocked me over! I instantly sat down, had a mild panic and started snapping photos like crazy. This picture shows just how windy it was!

The most challenging {and rewarding} hike was the Primitive Trial that took us past both Landscape Arch and the Double O

The Double O. It was such a relief to see these arches! We had been hiking for about 2 hours, and I was really beginning to think that we had gotten lost.

The Landscape Arch

The greatest thing about hiking in Moab was how unbelievably real it was. There were no gimmicks, just simple, raw beauty and the only person that could take you on that journey is yourself.

After the eventful day at Arches we knew we had to head back to our camp, and we were not looking forward to it. After a few futile attempts at trying to land a hotel room for the night, we knew we had to make the best of our situation. Naturally, this meant heading back to camp, grilling up some extraordinary steaks, and indulging in a few adult beverages. As we sat roasting marshmallows around the fire, we were able to simply enjoy being away with the person we were meant to be with. We talked and laughed {possibly harder than usual thanks to the spirits} and we eventually stumbled to bed. It had been an amazing day and a good night’s rest was in order.

Our plan for Saturday was to explore our next destination, Canyonlands. When we woke up, we were unpleasantly greeted with dark clouds and wisps of wind along with a flood warning. Although we were planning on staying one more night, we thought it best to pack up prior to the storm and head out of town before it hit. Regardless of the weather, we still enjoyed an eventful afternoon at Canyonlands. We drove through and checked out the immense craters at each lookout point. We were both completely shocked at how unrestricted the area was. At most lookout points, one could walk right up to the edge of the cliff and look off. As a girl afraid of heights, I managed to keep it together fairly well despite my anxiety.

Wyet made me so nervous! He kept inching closer and closer to the edge! 

Grand View Point

Our trip to Moab was so much more than just a visit to a National Park. It was a chance for Wyet and I to spend days together, uninterrupted by anyone else. It was a getaway that allowed us to hike, spend time outdoors and {kind of} camp. It was an adventure that hardly went according to plan, and it was outstanding. It was our great escape.

I was happy that a couple offered to take our photo together at Shafer Canyon Overlook {the only good picture we got together the entire weekend!}