I remember the first time I departed for Moab, Utah in 2013. The anticipation was great and the expectations, high. A journey to a place I had never been before, yet it being so close in proximity to where I live. Having traveled most of the world, with the exception of Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, I could not believe I had never been.
As I neared the red rock formations down highway 191, I started getting the feeling much like going to Disneyland for the first time. Giddy with excitement. It was awesome.
It's been four years since my last visit with my dad, Rich Cronin. But we didn't do a great job documenting this adventure.
This year, we are going to give it another go. Only we are making it our Father's Day Week pilgrimage to Moab and we are going to document it this time.
Stay tuned for a compilation of pics and videos of our epic adventure!
May 2014
June 2018
Great report Dan. Vicki and I were going to do that trip this past may. We had planned to To take the white water cat boat and do a couple day trips on the Colorado in the grand canyon too. But,,,,, somehow, building a new house got in the way! LOL. Looking forward to more pics and stories. See you all NEXT week!
Balance Rock in Arches Nat'l Park is an amazing spectacle. Go see it before it tips over and falls to the Earth.
We spent Monday evening reviewing our overnight trip along Shafer and White Rim roads. Getting the full scale of what the drive entailed, we made sure that we had plenty of fuel, water, food and necessities to see us through to the end of the experience. Shafer is a dirt trail that serpertines down to the bottom of a canyon. Put it on your bucket list. NOTE: You will need to apply for a permit to get onto Shafer or White Rim if you plan on spending the night there. The cost is $30/vehicle. DO your research before heading out to the area.
Shafer Road.
You see the little Jeep in this image? Gives you an idea of the steep cliffs you will be driving about.
We ran into a couple guys driving this combo around. The new Outback and tear drop trailer are a nice compliment to each other.
Made a lunch break at the Orange Bluffs Overlook in Cantonlands Nat'l Park. Outside ambient temperature: 101 F.
Another incredible view to witness are the Anasazi petroglyphs off Potash Road, outside of the North end of Moab city. These petroglyphs are on petrified sand stone that jut straight up out of the ground.
One happy camper.
More to come!
Dan
After we arrived in Moab and checked into our Air B&B house, it didn't take long for us to get out to Arches National Park and show Carrie around. By the way, most of the photos we are publishing here were taken by our Director of Marketing, Carrie Davis.
Below, here is Dad and I at Sand Dune Arch in ANP. The geology of this place is amazing. Sandstone outcrops and monoliths weathered by centuries of heat, wind and rain.
Another shot of the Jeeps with the A/C running while we stepped out for a photo opp'. Outside ambient temperature; 104 F...
We spent the rest of the day milling around Arches. This was Carrie's first time at the part and in this part of the country. I think she was blown away by the amount of artistry the God had painted and formed out there in the wild. Spectacular scenery.
Cool! Looking forward to the Rest of the Story!
Apologies for the delay in adding to this story! Swamped! But here we go!
We left the Tacoma area around 11:45 on June the 8th and made our way East towards the Tri-Cities. I had a bit of a delay leaving work Friday, so I told Dad to go ahead and make tracks East and we would catch up to him and rendezvous in Boise.
Carrie and I were pretty much thirsty and decided to make a pit stop in Kennewick at Ice Harbor Brewing Company. A fun family owned joint.
We then continued Southeast towards Oregon. Driving through La Grande, Baker City, Pendleton and made a quick pit stop near Dead Man Pass for a bio break.
We wound up pulling into Boise around 10pm on Friday and stayed at a really cool mid-century modern Air B&B where we met up with Dad. The next day, we were off into a massive head wind but the weather was great. Not a whole lot to see between Boise and our next destination of Price, UT. We did stop for a quick snack between Snowville and Tremonton, UT.
Here is (Rich Cronin) Dad and I, taking a breather before our next destination. It was a nice break from the head winds. The Jeep is mighty, but with all that gear on top of her, it's like driving a house down the highway. I went from getting 17.6 mpg to 13.1 mpg with the headwinds. Eek!
Stay tuned for more installments of this trip report! It only gets better!
Dan
It's funny because there's a lot of area with no cell coverage. And then you'll find some in the most unsuspecting places. I had service at the Airport
Updates? :) A lot of that country is way out of cell range. I'm looking forward to more as well.
So looking forward to seeing the updates!
Jealous. I want to go back.