Today was our transition from Monticello to Moab. We packed up in the morning to check out of the dome and braved the creek-road one last time. Staying in the dome was a fun adventure, but we were looking forward to being able to come and go without worrying about getting stuck and also not having to drive as far. And Chris was going crazy not being able to go for runs every day. You may ask, "But if you're doing multiple hikes every day, doesn't that count?" No, it does not for Chris. Ha.
Wilson Arch is a small stop off the side of the road on the way to Moab. The arch is huge (way bigger than it looks in pictures). You could just take pictures from the parking area or hike up half-way or go all the way to the top. Jack was ready to run up while Eliot was more cautious. I told him that we could go as far up as he wanted. Then Chris, Jack, and Eliot all took off running up the steep cliffside.
We went all the way up to the top and enjoyed views of the road and what looks like a small ranch behind the arch. Chris took the above picture of Eliot and me while he and Jack began climbing down. Wilson Arch is definitely worth the stop, and Eliot even said it was his favorite hike of the day.
We continued on to Moab and arrived about 11:20 AM, leaving us four and a half hours until we could check into our townhouse. I planned out a couple of hikes off Potash Road, which is near the entrance to Arches.
I read about some dinosaur tracks near the Poison Spider Trail parking lot off Potash Road. I promised the boys that it was a short walk (like 0.2 miles) to the tracks. What I didn't realize (probably because I have read so many trail reports on different hikes) is that it is a strenuous 0.2 miles with a rocky, steep, narrow path that requires some scrambling. It wasn't bad, but just not what I told them to expect. Eliot and Jack enthusiastically ran ahead, not entirely intuitively following the trail, sending Chris and I into a bit of a panic. No one got hurt; we all survived. It was quite tricky getting down, though.
A little farther down Potash Road is the Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch parking lot and trailhead. The lot was pretty full, but there was enough parking for us and a handful more. I had read a lot of great reports for this hike and was really excited--probably looking forward to this one more than anything throughout the trip. The boys were intimidated by the idea of hiking for three miles after already having done two hikes, being in the car so much, and the heat. I also think they were more than ready for lunch. They did it, though, and the hike did not disappoint. We crossed railroad tracks, used a chain to climb up a steep incline, climbed a ladder, and more all while surrounded by awesome red rock and a canyon in sight. You get to see Pinto Arch, Bowtie Arch, and Corona Arch on this trip.
On the way back to Main Street, we pulled over to see some pteroglyphs carved into the wall. I took some pictures, but I haven't uploaded them yet because I'm lazy. I suspect there is a lot more to explore on Potash Road than we'll be able to take in.
We still had a couple of hours left before check-in. We got lunch and went to the rock shop where Jack and Eliot put their money together to buy a cave bear tooth. Chris browsed the bookstore and the boys said they were still hungry. The food truck park right by the bookstore offers many options. Jack and I split a pizza while Chris and Eliot got quesadillas followed by gelato for the boys for dessert. By then, we could go to our townhouse!
The townhouse is in Moab, but just outside the Main Street area. We can get to the shops quickly without the noise of the road. Sometimes you go off the grid and sleep in a dome; sometimes you stay in a townhouse with a foosball table and a pool pass. It's all about balance, right?
Great day in Moab and we've barely scratched the surface. And we haven't even been to a National Park yet either! Up next: two days at Arches National Park.
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