Moab, UT; Canyonlands National Park

This past summer (2011) I took a trip up to Moab, UT with my friend Jeff to visit our mutual friend, Kevin.  He was working as a boat and jeep tour guide on the Colorado River and in Canyonlands National Park. Kevin badgered me for the longest time to go visit him in Moab, all-the-while knowing that I am not an outdoorsman (I have some camping disaster stories).  I am certain that he was highly anticipating shaking me up on an outdoors adventure. So, I enlisted Jeff who is an avid outdoorsman and an expert Arizona anthropologist, and we went to Moab in July. I am glad to say that it was one of the best trips that I've ever taken!

When Jeff and I arrived in Moab at the Navtec dock we happily found Kevin in full Grizzly Adams character loading the jeep and ready to head out to the Colorado River. We didn't waste any time with a long greeting, and as soon as two other friends joined us we quickly hit the river. It was awesome! The canyon was beautiful and the clouds drizzled just enough rain on us to keep us on edge. Kevin was the best guide and captain; mixing it up between giving us a history lesson and yelling paddle commands, "ALL FORWARD HARD!!" through the rapids.

The second day Kevin took us on a jeep tour through Canyonlands National Park. It was a spectacular place! I was overwhelmed by the scenery and what seemed to be 60º rock climbs that Kevin was making in his lifted Lexus 4 Runner Jeep. We had a beautiful picnic in a natural rock atrium in Devil's Kitchen, and hiked nearly 2 miles to the plateau of Chesler Park. The park is so well preserved that, at times, it felt like we were the first ones to have set foot there.

Jeff and I spent the second night in Coconino National Forest by a fire, a case of Bud Lights, and laughs over a portable DVD player with season 1 of The Office.

All-in-all, it was one of the best trips ever. Thanks to my friends Jeff, Ray, and Erin for sharing the experience. And special thanks to Kevin for putting it all together. Cheers to you, brotha!

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