A "Romantic" Weekend Away...Just the 2 of Us!

mph

Expedition Leader
Sorry, cheesy title!

My wife and I got away for three days this past weekend. Yep, just she and I...Normally, we are with our daughter, Lilly, and/or some friends. This past weekend; it was just us. If you are a parent reading this; you know how difficult it is to hand off the responsibilities and child to another person. With everything covered, we pointed the Land Cruiser south to the central Swell and the Robber's Roost area of Utah. The weather was definitely in our favor. Highs in the low 70s and 40s at night...Our plan was to do some canyoneering. We had done quite a bit of it in our "previous" lives but currently Lilly is not at an age to hang from a rope. So, off we went...Just the 2 of us!

We had to make a stop at the Melon Vine in Green River. A nice, small grocery in "middle of nowhere". We enjoy trying to support some local businesses when we can.

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The road we traveled down had recently been hammered by water...The deserts of Utah received at least an inch of water just days before.

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Lousie and I hiked into the goblins of Goblin Valley to check out a dark, hidden chamber. It was a gorgeous day...

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After our jaunt in Goblin Valley, which included a 90 foot rappel, we headed to the Roost. My favorite road sign in Utah! The Maze...The Roost...Horseshoe Canyon...you will know that the "goods" are about to be discovered and enjoyed!

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Stopped at the dunes to check out the evening light. The Henry Mountains in the distance. The last mapped mountain range in the US.

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Further down the road...

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Not much wildlife out there...However, cows were a wandering... A nice, local sign warned us not to "play" with the cows. Has to be a story there...

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Cocktail hour...What a view! Canyonlands...The LaSal Mountains...it was a magical evening.

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Our campsite for the night...What would tomorrow bring?

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More to come...
 

mph

Expedition Leader
After a quiet morning, it was time to enter another canyon. The weather was outstanding. It was nice to be in the desert again. Enjoying the warmth of the sun on our faces and the stillness only the desert can provide. Time to rally!

Louise making up some wraps for lunch!

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This desert two-track led us to the beginning of our desert hike.

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What makes this area of Robber's Roost so neat are all the signs of the past. Sure, cowboys and ranchers still reside in the area but many years ago Native Americans roamed this land. Signs of them are all around. Louise exploring a chert pile.

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Luck would have it...

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A nice, casual hike...

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Until the bottom dropped out. Louise about to enter the slot...

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Once in the canyon, the beauty was all around us...

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Some things are still there...Trees from flash floods still trapped until the next rush of water tears them loose.

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The occasionally drop provides a chance to explore around the next corner...around the next bend in the canyon...

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The Roost is a special place. One does have to use ropes to access many of its wonders. If you get the chance, grab your harness and some 8mm rope and drop in...I think you would be quite surprised at what you might find.

More to come...
 

mph

Expedition Leader
We finished the canyon with a few more rappels and a few stemming sections. It was a blast to be in the canyons on such a gorgeous day! Louise overcoming a few obstacles.

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Headed down...

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We stopped to really look at the walls. Amazing what a little time, a little water, and a little wind will do to a canyon wall.

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The day ended with a discussion on where to go next. We know of a great spot on our way to Green River, so we rallied that way...

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Louise getting the tent ready...

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Our final night of freedom before our reality of heading home...It was a good night!
 

mph

Expedition Leader
Our final day dawned...It was time to enjoy the desert at our own pace...We wanted to see some arches that we hiked to with Lilly this past Spring. The sun was out and the winds were calm. Another picture-perfect day!

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The views got better and better...The Green River, check. The LaSals, check. Canyonlands, check.

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Not one, not two, not three...but 5 arches greeted us on this lovely morning.

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Yeah, you will laugh...But, we actually got a few text messages from our babysitter while we were chillin underneath the arches. Louise realizing she a few more moments of freedom:)

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The area is crazy cool...slickrock, arches, and so much to explore. Louise spotted another arch. Off she went...

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Lousie hiking on top of yet another...

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We hiked back to camp; had lunch and headed north. The road was in rough shape. The deserts had received over an inch of rain the weekend before. A few rough spots.

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But, our weekend...Kid-free was awesome. Make time and take your wife out for a "romantic" weekend. Fun to reconnect and enjoy the wonders of a place called Earth and specifically the deserts of Utah.

Until next time...

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Xterabl

Adventurer
Great scenery, great write-up.
Kid-free-time is nice...and rare, too! Nicer because it is rarer...!
Thanks for sharing!
 

Foy

Explorer
OK, but just this once........

......but the next trip report needs to include Lilly.

Nice that the parents get some time to themselves, though. How well I recall going "kid-less" for even a short weekend. Now ours are 31 and 27 and we're routinely staying home on weekends to spend more time with our 19 month-old grandson! They grow up FAST.

Thanks for the report.

Foy
 

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