4/2/2010 - 4/4/2010 Easter Jeep Safari

Our Jeep being currently crippled, we canceled this year's annual migration to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari :(

However, Craig and a couple of his kids were still going and so after some lengthy negotiations about who keeps which child for the weekend, Riley and Ron bummed a ride from Craig and off to Easter Jeep Safari 2010 :)

We decided to make a 3- day weekend out of it. We even caught a few sessions of conference on the radio despite a weak and wandering signal.

Anyhow, pix...

CAMP


EASTER JEEP SAFARI


KIDS


LUNCHTIME AT LAKE POWELL


4/4/2010 Easter Jeep Safari Statistics:

adventure days=2
vacation days off of work=1
highway miles=650
off-highway miles=15
hiking miles=1.0
average lodging cost per paid night (1 night) = $5.00
average lodging cost per total nights (2 nights) = $2.50

Friday: Got on the road mid-afternoon and headed for Sego Ghost town (about 40 miles North of Moab) where we met up with Pricket & family, set up camp, and enjoyed some of the ruins. Unfortunately, we didn't really have the time to explore as much as the area deserves. I'm afraid the list of Utah sites to visit just got a notch longer, not shorter.

Saturday Morning: Packed up camp, breakfast (I think it was donuts, twinkies, and left over candy from the previous day's travel snacks - jk Moms) and on the road for Moab by 8:00. We headed straight out to Sand Flats Rec Area to get a campsite. We had a much harder time than normal finding one, but we were also about 1 1/2 hours later in the morning than in previous years. Note to self, if you want a good campsite Saturday during EJS, get there by 7am at the latest. Anyhow, time spent running a little late and searching for a campsite delayed us enough that we didn't get to enjoy any of the parade: other than from within the 4Runner as we headed to Moab Rim for what turned out to be some good watching. Within the first 1/3 mile or so, there are 2 very entertaining obstacles where we hiked and watched the official Safari group make their way. Shortly after arriving at the 2nd obstacle (called the Z-turn I think), we witnessed one vehicle bust an axleshaft and then a rollover of a very expensive looking newer Jeep Rubicon Wrangler! We stuck around long enough to watch them upright it and then headed back to camp where we finished setting up, had lunch, and listened to some of conference.

Saturday Afternoon: After lunch, a little bit of letting the kids play around the campground, and relaxing for a bit, we went out on the trail for the afternoon. We hit the obligatory first half of Fins and Things where the Nemesis Hill was conquered handily with no issues whatsoever (amazing what a couple of "working" lockers will do for you). Then on to Hell's Revenge; in name, an interesting trail choice for an afternoon session of conference! On Hell's, we had several chances to stop and stretch and watch. After waiting for someone to entertain us on Hell's Gate (nobody came along) we moved on to the Hot Tubs where we witnessed another rollover! A purpose built off road buggy this time, so no tears were shed for the owner, who had obviously built the rig for this kind of thing. As a matter of fact, the guy didn't even bother getting out of his seat, he just hung there upside down waiting for his buddies to hook up the strap and tip him back over. He seemed more concerned about having spilled his soda pop than about the slight scratches to roll cage. Riley's 2 new favorite phrases are, "Jeep tip over," and "Jeep fall down." Then, back to camp.

Saturday Evening: Because of the kids, we skipped the Preisthood Session of conference. At camp we ate dinner, played around camp a bit more, then headed out for one last hurrah on the last mile or two of Fins N Things where Kenny's Climb and Frenchie's Fin were eventlessly conquered.

Sunday: Craig had some business to take care of in Blanding, nearly 80 miles the wrong direction from from home, climbing some 3,000 feet in elevation in the process. A good workout for the overloaded little 4 cylinder 4Runner. Upon leaving Blanding, it was sixes to head back through Moab or to head NorthWest up through Cedar Mesa, Fry Canyon, Hite Marina at Lake Powell, Hanksville and home. So we took that route to minimize the repetition of scenery, although looking back, it probably wasn't the ideal route for a good radio signal. We had lunch at an overlook of Lake Powell near Hite Marina.

We had a great time! Enjoyed some camping! Enjoyed great scenery! Saw some vehicular carnage! Can't wait to go back (as usual)!