Moab Itinerary Finalized!!

Allright! With less than 4 days to go, we now have a pretty good handle on who is for sure coming with us for this year's Moab trip. We have some final information available about our itinerary. If you are highly likely to come with us, please contact Ron for a copy of the itinerary details (if I KNOW you are coming, I have probably already sent it to you).

Only 4 days to change your mind! Come on people! Weather is expected to be perfect!

Some itinerary highlights include:

• Chicken Corners 4x4/ATV trail: including petroglyphs, 1 arch, a visit to the "wind caves," and an across the river view of the "Thelma and Louise cliff!"
• Dinner and sunset at Delicate Arch: a well- timed near full moonrise one hour before sunset should provide a rare photographic opportunity!
• A scheduled "sleep- in" day: yes that is considered a highlight to some!
• One night on the town!
  
• At least one (hopefully 2) jeep trails by full moonlight: options include high scenic vistas and natural arch side- hikes!

Tune in next week for details...

12 Years!!!

Today, in about 8 hours from now, will be the 13th anniversary of Ron and Lori's 1st date (to the circus that never was)!

That means that yesterday was the 12TH ANNIVERSARY OF OUR WEDDING DAY!

The kids were scuttled off to babysitters so that we could have a whole day of adventure and childless fun. Thanks Sarah!! Thanks Kiley!!

It was Lori's year to plan our adventures. She took us to Park City for a picnic in the park and then a great time riding the Alpine Slide, the Alpine Coaster, and for browsing the shops in town.

Yesterday was also NPLD (National Public Lands Day); an annual day of nationwide service projects with various public land management agencies. Lori let Ron choose an NPLD project to go volunteer for. So that morning we joined the National Forest Service and the Utah 4x4 Club for a project at Forest Lake in American Fork Canyon. Informational signs were put up, illegal 4x4 trails were blocked off and rehabilitated, fences were put up to help define boundaries, and litter was removed.

Let's just all agree that Lori is the coolest wife in the world for taking time out of her anniversary plans to join Ron on a work project with the 4x4 Club!!

What a perfect day!! Looks like Autumn has arrived!!

Click here for a link to ALL of our pix for the weekend.

WORK PROJECT:




P9265782.MOV



VIEW FROM FOREST LAKE:


PARK CITY FUN:







P9265820.MOV



Click here for a link to ALL of our pix for the weekend.

Moab - 9/18/09 - 9/20/09 Teaser Trip! MORE!!

Here's some of the pictures from Uncle Brian. He spent more time up close and personal with the extreme jeeping activities. Ron was too busy trying to keep Riley at a safe distance (from the upside down jeep for example) to take many of these pictures.

JEEPS...






Note that the driver, standing next to his rolled Suzuki Samurai, can tell his wife, "Yes honey, I WAS wearing my helmet!!"




SCENERY at the Day Canyon Overlook. Look closely at the picture (the second one) of Ron (in the yellow shirt). You will notice that he is standing on what appears to be a very thin overhang. In reality it is a Natural Bridge called "Bullday Bridge." There is a 3 inch wide crack that separates the bridge from the cliff's edge. Where's Riley? Well, he is that little tiny dot sitting safely 30 or so feet from the edge, playing in the sand and throwing rocks.

Moab - 9/18/09 - 9/20/09 Teaser Trip!

This past weekend, uncle Brian, Riley, and Ron joined the Utah 4x4 Club in Moab for their "Fall Crawl" event. Let's call it a teaser trip for the 2009 Family Fall Moab Trip. Lori and Lacey joined Aunt Joni and several others for an ovarian cancer benefit fundraiser.

So it was a "guys only" weekend for the Moab crew. Pictures from the girls weekend will be posted later. By the way, Lori, Lacey, just thought you should know that girls smell funny AND the boys had way more fun!!

Anyhow, we drove down on Friday evening and set up camp at the Sand Flats Recreation Area. On Saturday, we joined the Utah 4x4 Club for a trail ride on Metal Masher (yes, we did mash a little bit of metal; good thing Ron built a new transfercase skidplate on Friday morning. Then, on the way back to the highway, we hiked to the top of Gemini Bridges. On Sunday, we drove Gold Bar Rim, Little Canyon, and Bull Canyon (including a hike to the bottom of Gemini Bridges).

On to the pictures!!! For more pictures, click here!

THE BOYS...



THE JEEPS...



THE SCENERY...



RILEY BEING CUTE...



ON THE EDGES OF VERY HIGH CLIFFS...



DIAPER CHANGES...



Oh, and here's a video. This is Slide Rock on the Gold Bar Rim trail. It IS NOT an optional obstacle, there is no bypass. If you can't make it up the rock... well... you MUST make it up the rock!


P9205722.MOV

For all the rest of the pictures, click here for a slideshow.