SOUTHEASTERN UTAH’S RECREATION MECCA: MOAB AND ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

After our nine day stay in little Torrey, Utah (population 171, with that many again in the surrounding area), Moab (population 5,100) seems like a bustling metropolis!  Every morning, at appears that the residents fling open their doors, jump on their bikes or into their muddy, tricked-out 4 x 4’s and take off into the great outdoors.  Hikers, mountain bikers, walkers and joggers jostle for space with road bikes, monster trucks, jeeps and motorcycles. 

Of course, the ranks of the full-time residents are augmented by active visitors.  Campgrounds, RV parks and motels are full, with their occupants adding to the crazy activity level we see every day.

This is our third trip to Moab and Arches National Park, and the first time the weather has cooperated perfectly, with highs around 70 degrees and unlimited sunshine.  We’ve hiked in the national park three times, and outside the park once.  The big difference?  The other people on the trail in Arches National Park speak a multitude of languages, including several we couldn’t place, LOTS of foreign visitors; on the Corona Arch hike outside the park, we joined local families on what obviously is a favorite “local” hike.

	The day we arrived in Moab, we settled in our campground then headed up to Arches National Park to hike the short Park Avenue trail.  Here’s Odel heading down the wash.
	One of the longer hikes in Arches is at the very end of the park road at Devil’s Garden.  Part of the Double O trail past Landscape Arch traverses the top of a “fin”, not for those who don’t like heights!
	The fun hike to giant Corona Arch, off Potash Road – outside the park – includes a couple of safety-cabled stretches and a short ladder up a steeper pitch.  Here I am, climbing the ladder.  We saw a lot of families with kids and dogs enjoying this trail.
	Photographing Odel in the foreground of Corona arch makes it look smaller than it actually is.  You can find a video on YouTube of a single engine plane flying through this arch!

No hiking for us today: Odel is on the golf course and I’m about to head out to explore “downtown”.  More to come but, for now, the sunny blue skies are calling me.  :)