Thanksgiving 2011 - Moab Trip

I guess a fourth year running makes a tradition. And our tradition is that every Thanksgiving we take a little vacation. This year we were not up for a large scale trip, but still wanted to do something. We ended up renting a condo in Moab, with Devin and Dalynn, Darin's brother and sister, and Dalynn's boyfriend, Brandon. We left a day earlier than everyone else, and stayed in a hotel that first night....for the single reason that it had a swimming pool. Great hotel, great swimming in the outdoor heated, covered pool, and a great time with the kids.

The next day after Devin arrived, we headed to Arches National Park and hiked to Delicate Arch. Pretty amazing to see up close.

Back at the condo we all made gumdrop turkeys and the kids made foam turkeys and worked on holiday word puzzles...while we waited for the big feast to warm up. You see, all it had to do was warm up---since we bought a pre-cooked cold Thanksgiving dinner from the Moab grocery store deli. Everyone else seemed to like it just fine. But I say, NEVER again will we do that. Had to be the worst Thanksgiving dinner I have ever NOT eaten!! (How I drooled at the memory of Marilyn's rolls or cabbage salad. Or Shari's green beans and Jeff's stuffed mushrooms.)

We had a great, relaxing time during the hours we spent at the condo each day. The kids cozied up and watched some movies in the master bed, everyone soaked in the hot tub, ate treats, played games, and I shopped online!! It really did feel like a break from the regular every day rush....loved that!!

Most of these Moab trip adventures were a first for me. I hadn't been to Moab since I was a teenager. Of course I did know we'd be doing some things the "Jones" way. But I'm not sure I was prepared for the "Devin Jones" way!! Holy "Hell's Revenge"!!!! I mean, "Hell's Revenge" is the name of the jeep trail we took in the slick rock area. The name says it all!!!

So, those of you who know Devin, know that there is precious little that he has not done in his adventurous life. Always looking for that next adrenalin hit. So, he decides that he will not take a jeep or motorcycle on this trail, like the rest of the crazies who ride this trail do....he insists he take Dalynn's 4x4 truck. Just a regular truck. Regular trucks DO NOT GO on this trail. Regular trucks get eaten alive by this trail!! Exactly why Devin MUST prove he can do it.
Honestly, when we left the house, I had no idea what we were doing. I thought we'd park somewhere and we'd all take turns riding around on the motorcycles and 4-wheeler. Nope. So guess where the kids and I get to ride? Yep, in that blasted truck with Devin!! Dalynn, Darin and Brandon rode the motorcycles and 4-wheeler. These pictures really do not give a very good idea of what it was like. I took the photo above from the front seat of the truck as we were about to topple head over heals down this trail. Look at that picture. Just look at it!!! You can see the 4-wheeler ahead of us, and then the two motorcycles way down below that. Ca-Razy!!

We did this about a hundred times.....everybody out of the truck while Devin risks only his own life for the next few minutes. And the other three adults off their machines to guide Devin through each impossible section of the trail.

Oh, and if in the picture above it looks like the truck is about to roll off the edge of this cliff....that's because IT IS!!!! I do not need to tell you who went out of their way to park it there.

Thank goodness for Brandon, who let the kids take turns riding on the wheeler with him. Ellie felt much safer on that 4-wheeler. Actually, the kids were both really brave and had a blast. They were a little nervous the very first part of the trail, as we drove straight up a huge rock fin, with long drop-offs on both sides. Who does that?????? I pretty much needed to cry, scream, and pee my pants. But I remained ever calm, so as to not alarm the children. In fact, everyone else is still in shock at my non-freaking-out manner the entire trip.

I don't have a picture of the worst predicament we got into with the truck. This also happens to be the scariest moment for the kids, AND their favorite part. We could all see it was going to be crazy rough to get over the next few spots. But not extremely steep. Dalynn took off on her motorcycle.....I think to avoid seeing the death of her truck happen right before her eyes. There was no way that truck was ever leaving "Hell's Revenge". I got out and started walking ahead as well, to avoid having a heart-attack as Darin and Brandon tried to guide Devin over an impossible pile of jagged rocks and boulders---no alternatives available. The kids were both buckled in the front seat with Devin. From a distance, I watched the truck teeter onto one side. Then I heard those brave kids of mine give a faint, worried, "Daddy??" That's when Darin told them to unbuckle and he lifted them straight UP out of the passengers side window. Straight UP because the truck was nearly on it's side, one back tire three feet off the ground....and nothin' to do but keep going straight ahead, over huge boulders.

And that's exactly what we did. And guess how much damage was done to Dalynn's truck in the end? NONE!!! No damage whatsoever. And guess how huge the sigh of relief was that we all let out when we were home free? HUGE!! And guess how satisfied Devin was for doing the impossible? VERY satisfied. We saw lots of vehicles on the same trail that day. Lots of jeeps and range rovers and huge-wheeled off-road vehicles. But not a single other regular truck. Huh.

The next day we went to the Slick Rock trail. Only bikes and cycles allowed. Phew!! We all had a great time walking and exploring, riding the motorcycles, and watching Devin do a few life-threatening hills on a pedal bike.

These motorcycles are not meant for two people, so it was funny to watch Darin and Devin keep their legs out or crunch them up, so the kids could have the foot rests.

This photo was taken right as I was having a near heart-attack about how close they all were to the edge. But by now I was getting used to the idea of hanging out with Darin's siblings---the ones who live on the stinkin' edge!! Yep, I love ya, Devin!!

It was a lot of fun for me to ride on the motorcycles, as long as we were not near a cliff!! This entire area is really amazing. So many different landscapes and amazing features in such a small area.

The kids had a fabulous time, lost in adventure. Not sure what came over me to put their lives in Devin's hands so many times in just three days. They sure did love the attention from their super fun uncle Devin. (And I actually do kinda trust him. Obviously!!)

The picture below is of Devin posing with "Jones" and "Carlos". Need I say more?

Next adventure.....Horseshoe Canyon, slot canyon. We took a little hike into this really cool canyon. More amazing Utah landscape. So great to hang out with Dalynn for a change. We've been family for almost seventeen years, and friends for more than a decade before that....and somehow it seems like forever since we've spent any time together. Loved it!! Love that amazing woman!! (And FYI, kinda fun to see her as one of the "two little lovers sittin' in a tree"!!!)

In the picture below you will see a bunch of goofballs. I'm married to one of them, mother to the two littles, and grateful to the crazy guy who will carry both my kids on his back.

Last official stop of the trip....Goblin Valley. Wow, this place is so cool. I seriously have not seen much of the great state we live in. Is this place for real? I walked around a bit, and listened to the still, still, silence of that valley. I have no idea the last time I heard such quiet. Every now and then I'd hear a distant "yoo-hoo", as the rest of the group was playing hide-and-go-seek. They had a blast running and hiding all over that valley.

The formations really do look like goblins. Or maybe mushrooms, or Hobbit houses. There are little alcoves and caves all over the place. We will definatley take the kids back here someday.

By the time we got back in the car, it was dark and cold. I watched the sun go down and this first star come out next to the moon. It almost looked like a scene we see behind so many nativity displays. Appropriate for ending the Thanksgiving holiday. Reminding me of all we are blessed with, and starting off the Christmas season with the perfect image in my mind of the true reason for the season. Hope you all had a perfect Thanksgiving weekend. We sure did.