Adventures in Red Rock

Thanks to a sales promotion at Office Depot and Brian's hard work (or good luck, depending on your perspective) he and I got to spend the weekend down in Moab. The kids went to Grandma's and we escaped for two free nights at the Red Cliff's Lodge!

The accommodations were great but the scenery was incredible!

We drove down with Brian's co-worker and good friend Kyle Brown and his wife Maveny. Since we were already in the neighborhood, we decided to take a peek in Arches National Park. Wow. Brian and I were kicking ourselves for not bringing our fancy camera on the trip. Neither of us had actually been in the area before and didn't realize how absolutely gorgeous it would be. These pictures were all taken on Kyle and Maveny's camera--we're grateful they remembered!

I probably could have recolored these photos because they don't capture the brilliant red of the rocks very well, but it was too much work to upload them all into blogger so you'll just have to use your imagination.

Brian and I posing in front of the famous Delicate Arch.
Since Maveny and I are both pregnant, we decided not to take the arduous 3 mile hike right up to the Delicate Arch and took the easy route instead. It was still amazing seen across a deep canyon.

We also took a short hike to the Double Arches. They reminded me of a cathedral, in both size and beauty. Notice the tiny people climbing on the rocks below.

This is Kyle and Maveny Brown, good friends and great traveling companions (as well as dinner guests!)

Brian and Kyle climbed up to stand under the farthest arch while us pregnant girls sat on the rocks below and took pictures.

The next day, Saturday, we all climbed in a Hummer and took a four-wheel-drive tour on the slickrock guided by a retired local sheriff. The scenery was beautiful, the commentary great, but most amazing to me was the feats of the Hummer. Who knew a vehicle could do that?

We should have guessed what we were in for by the name of the place...

Looking back down the entrance to Hell's Revenge trail. Notice the steep drop on both sides, and how small the cars are in the distance. You can't see the grade from this angle. Going up it felt exactly like when you're going higher and higher on a roller coaster, anticipating that sinking drop any moment... Have I ever mentioned how much I don't actually like roller coasters all that much for exactly that going up part?

This is a better view of the trail. Yes, we drove up that. Backwards, incidentally. See the tire marks?

Behind Brian and to his right you can see the infamous Lion's Back which, because of the history of injuries and deaths, is now closed. The new owner doesn't want the liability. Oh, I was so disappointed...

Our sweet ride.

We tried to get a photo of the four of us together in front of Echo Canyon. I don't like canyons--especially the edges of canyons. Brian was trying to get me to step back closer to him...and the edge.

A mountain unicyclist. This guy hopped down that rock (and the tall hill behind) balancing on his unicycle. There were mountain bicyclists all over the place who I thought were all pretty crazy, but I think this guy is probably certifiably insane. We asked him if it hurt. He replied, "Yeah, it's not as much fun after the first two or three miles..."

This particular rock is called The Wall. See those scratch marks? Yes we drove up and back down the wall--several times. Our guide enjoys his job.

Ready.

Get set.

Go!