#tripday 2:
Our Big Agnes, Big House 4 Deluxe tent (gear talk to come) sat as though it was the only home we’d ever need. It stood gloriously tall, embracing the sense of being majestically dignified. Our back door proclaimed the vast landscape beyond us as our own, in which we took appreciatively. We were there, the moment engulfing us entirely; our slumber eyes slowly adjusting to what was only the beginning. Waking up on that first, breezy morning just before daybreak, the world gave a reassuring sense of silence. A warm sunrise welcomed us like a freshly baked batch of chocolate chip cookies, the kind that devours your drooling conscious whole.
With our tent being pitched below a bit of a natural tiered rock footpath, we excitedly walked up to the rest of the crew to exchange our good morning’s. Not everyone had arrived in Moab yet, but so far we’d been accompanied by Tate, Destiny, Drew, and Colin. Tate is this burly Texas guy, engaged to the lovely Destiny, also from Texas, a southern sweetheart. Drew is an extreme athlete, leading our climbing endeavours, and Colin, is a relaxed, music loving camper. As we chummed around, cooking breakfast with our own discovered methods, we prepared for our first day of wandering.
Piling into two cars, we were ambitiously bound for Arches National Park!
Arches National Park is upon an underground salt bed layer, or evaporite, which is what makes it easily erode into the beautiful arches, balanced rocks, and sandstone fins it presents and beholds. One of the most personally beloved features, is the warm color of the rocks against the bright, blue sky and stretch of vegetation.
As we let our inner tourists get the best of us, as it should, we decided to check out Delicate Arch, and Devil’s Garden after that. Although most of us had visited Arches the previous summer, it was our turn to enlighten Destiny with the stunning views, as well as the both of us for Devil’s Garden!
Delicate Arch is straight up unbelieveable- the moderate hike and all!
It starts with an easy walk where one is able to check out the beautiful rock art and petroglyphs if desired, otherwise, it’s a tad over 1.5 miles over beautiful slickrock to the arch. Coming upon the arch brought us an overwhelming happy-go-lucky feel, considering Drew was already a step ahead, effortlessly climbing to the top of an enticing rock that overlooked the hike! As we scattered around the fish bowl like slickrock that had been annually carved by water, excessively capturing what our eyes could, we’d successfully managed to find ourselves a quite panoramic view. I’d like to note that our crew typically strays from the casual, “safe” way of at accomplishing tasks- such as finding the perfect lunch spot. Don’t get me wrong, meeting other wanders and real, nitty gritty campers is our thing; however, having a relaxing spot to munch down on a hearty sandwich without hundreds of tourist is a blessing.
After we’d explored our surroundings and packed up our belongings, we headed back down.
Seeing it was late afternoon when we’d finished up with Delicate Arch, it was only practical to stay nuzzled inside the Arches endless park boundary, and play around Devil’s Garden! The boys had a destination in mind, and sure enough, it involved conquering scaling up a 150ft rock wall! As we eagerly walked into what seemed a one way crevice, the boys wasted no time and got to bouldering. Hand, foot, hand, back and forth- they challenged themselves getting over broken rock fragments, smiling themselves silly, just as if they were skiing full blast down a newly open powder run. As the time ticked on, we casually made our way back to the park’s exit; when I say casually, I truly mean we took the windiest, up and over, squeeze our way through path possible. It’s those times, where we make the moment our own, that stay with us; forever gifting us with a rawful crave to go back.
Our campsite was pitched on the ragged outskirts of Moab, down a rocky five mile dirt road- and none of us would’ve had it any other way.
This ample campsite had been discovered the previous summer by Seth and his crew, and I believe it’ll be a place we come back to year after year. I can’t lie, it’d also be difficult to stumble upon another badass spot that could hold 12+ campers and 4 dogs without question!
If there’s one thing I find immediate love in, it’s being in close quarters like this with others who want to share their after adventure odors and s’mores tricks with you by the fireside. I’m not sure I’ll ever completely understand how I find it all appealing, but between the full-belly laughter and smokey smell that uninvitingly layers itself into your already filthy jacket.. it simply makes sense.