SATURDAY, 4 NOVEMBER 2023

(Moab, UT)

The lie in was nice. It was nearly 9am when I made the coffee. By the time we had showered and got ready to go out, though, I was wishing that I’d had some hotel breakfast just to tide me over until we managed to get out for brunch. Still, we did get out eventually, back to Gloria’s, and were even sat at our now customary table. The huge breakfast set us up for the rest of the day.

After eating we had a little wander around Moab, me in search of a chocolate muffin (failed, but found a chocolate fudge brownie in the Red Rock bakery, an old favourite place that I used to use for its Internet cafe, way back in the day before mobile phones and global connectivity – it’s still owned by Howard, apparently ). Andrew was in search of a new hat and was successful in this mission.

We were both still feeling tired and a little depleted, so we drove up to Canyonlands for the afternoon. After a brief stop at the visitor centre, we drove to the far end and found a space in the Grand View parking lot. It was much busier in the park than we have ever encountered before in Canyonlands. Admittedly, it is a weekend, and town is busier too. We just had a short walk there to admire the…well…grand view. The vista of Monument Basin, looking across the Needles District and over to the San Juans, is just as unrealistic as ever. It’s like a painted backdrop and hard to appreciate, even when it’s right in front of you.

After a short walk we’re headed to the White Rim Overlook, and had another short wander. The temperature is now up to around 68F, which would be pleasant, but the direct sun feels strong even though it is early November. I was wearing my cool hat and cool vest – a turnaround from wearing a woolly hat last weekend!

Neither of us felt like walking any further, so we spent the rest of the strong stopping at various viewpoints, including Green River Overlook, a view of the Candlestick, and at the Neck – the very narrow section of the Island, where you can see down into canyons on both sides.

On our way out of Green River Overlook we saw a coyote, which chose to cross the road in front of us. It’s the first time we’ve seen one at Canyonlands.

Finally, we ended back at the visitor centre. We wandered around a little to look down into the canyon and watch the afternoon light change and the rocks become even more red. Andrew spotted a Hopi chipmunk while I was busy with the view. You could also see cars and bikes navigating the Schafer Trail far below.

Eventually we dragged ourselves away, and decided it was time to head back to Moab.

As it is busier today, we headed straight to town to get dinner. We found a parking space right where we wanted it, and got a table straight away at the Spoke, although it was already doing a good trade. We enjoyed dinner, sat at an upstairs table, with a view both over the main floor of the restaurant below, and out off the window at the fading light, and the street scene.

Suitably fed, we returned to the hotel where we will note relax and maybe enjoy a beer on our last night in Moab.

[we didn’t exactly do much ‘trail’ hiking today, but a few snippets are here: https://vimeo.com/881318341]