The Big Meander, Summer 2011

[maxama10]

I think we all took about 400 pictures of this..

:drool: I'm sad I missed out on that when I was in that area, next trip for sure! Awesome photo. Glad you and your family are enjoying the trip.

 

[Ranger Steve]

amazing photos and looks to be an amazing trip. i can't wait to get out west!

 

[scarysharkface]

Where's Colin?

Sometimes there's just nothing like kicking back on a big rock in the sun.

So much to see.

There are a few nice overlooks along the road out to the big one.

Beautiful.

I really enjoy owning a Jeep.

Back toward the main road and civilization..

Big vistas..

John

 

[scarysharkface]

We didn't need jackets, heading into Moab. The ambient air thermometer is pretty accurate once we've been underway for a bit, and we'd been on the highway for a while..

Saw this pair of nicely-outfitted KLRs outside the Visitor Center in town. Never happened upon the riders though. Really made me wish we'd been able to bring motorcycles along..

We putzed around a bit, had some ice cream. We'd already rented a spot at the KOA south of town and setup the tents, so we took a drive along the river to see some petroglyphs..

Of course, it had gotten even warmer in the shade down by the water..

Where there isn't art, there are slings and bolts for climbing. I need to come back here in November with the shoes, harness, rope and a belayer..

Neat area, and shade!

It's everywhere..

John

 

[K.C.]

Looks like a great time. Can't wait to get out there on longer trips with my kids (2 y/o and 2 m/o). Never thought about the KOAs either, great stuff.

 

[scarysharkface]

Looks like a great time. Can't wait to get out there on longer trips with my kids (2 y/o and 2 m/o). Never thought about the KOAs either, great stuff.

Thanks. The beauty of the KOA campgrounds is that they're a very, very easy known-quantity. The adventure aspect is certainly lacking, but for a family trip, doing one of those every two or three nights sure can be something for everyone who is only luke-warm on camping to look forward to. Clean, hot showers and flush toilets do have value. Obviously we're car-camping, but at least we do interesting stuff between sleeps (or try to).

John

 

[scarysharkface]

Just around the bend are dinosaur footprints.

And just slightly beyond is the downhill end of Long Canyon..

Before too long the route starts climbing..

John

 

[Kya]

Great photography!

 

[scarysharkface]

Beautiful blue skies, even with the heat. Something we're not used to back East..

Just a fun, easy road..

Yeah, it fit..

Some sand..

John

 

[scarysharkface]

Great photography!

Thanks. I've got, like, 2 different things (possibly more) going on in my head at the same time and haven't been able to catch this thread up to where it needs to be (finished) and still have a boatload of photos to sort through. Thanks for bearing with.

John

 

[98roamer]

Take your time and do what you need to do. We're not going anywhere, it's well worth the wait.

 

[2 E L O]

Incredible photos! Looking forward to more!

 

[B.L. Sims]

I enjoyed reading your story but one thing that seemed to stick with me was your comment about the "allure of the plains".

It is hard to explain and its something to different people. I lived in the panhandle for a while and have burned more than a few thousand miles across them. While we always joked about the lack of trees and the extreme flatness of it all thats almost what makes them interesting. That there is a place so wide open and you can see for miles and miles. There isnt anything to crowd you in. Its as much of a wonder as a mountain peak.
People sought them, and crossed them to get away from the constrains of life back East and its that history of adventure that adds a good ammount of character. You cant help but wonder what took place out there. Its like being out there all alone- its scary if you think about it, but peaceful at the same time. It, and the mountains are the only places that havent been almost completley swallowed up by urban sprawl.

But thats me.

And good on you for getting your son out there.

 

[scarysharkface]

I enjoyed reading your story but one thing that seemed to stick with me was your comment about the "allure of the plains".

It is hard to explain and its something to different people. I lived in the panhandle for a while and have burned more than a few thousand miles across them. While we always joked about the lack of trees and the extreme flatness of it all thats almost what makes them interesting. That there is a place so wide open and you can see for miles and miles. There isnt anything to crowd you in. Its as much of a wonder as a mountain peak.
People sought them, and crossed them to get away from the constrains of life back East and its that history of adventure that adds a good ammount of character. You cant help but wonder what took place out there. Its like being out there all alone- its scary if you think about it, but peaceful at the same time. It, and the mountains are the only places that havent been almost completley swallowed up by urban sprawl.

But thats me.

And good on you for getting your son out there.

Yeah. Almost Zen perhaps.

If I ever get the DSL working again at home, I'll update some more. Not too pleased with Frontier Communications this week.

John

Sent from my DROIDX using Tapatalk

 

[RedDog]

Always great stuff John.