Hot, hot, hot! We're talking over 100* each day.
KOA Kampsite was nice, but not very shady - and very sandy, especially when the wind picked up like it did the first night and didn't stop until we left. We also learned that a rain fly is not to just keep out the rain. It can keep out blowing sand too. We found that out a day late.
Sand Dune Arch was so fun and a great hike for most of us (Isaac's legs were just a tad too little to get through all the sand.)
Landscape Arch was pretty cool too, but not in the heat of the day and with wind and sand exfoliating your bare skin every few minutes or so. It was nice to have our friend Nillie Tillie around to encourage us along the trail.
Swimming in the campground pool is the best way to spend a very hot afternoon.
Wally's dreams came true when he got to bike the whole Slickrock Trail. It only took him 3 hours and most of his energy for the rest of the day. He also ate anything he could get his hands on, including some good old Moab shake'n'bake (thanks to the wind).
Aunt Kenna is awesome! She made so many fun things happen for us!
She truly is the camping queen.
Rowing down the Colorado River was great, until we were rowing against the wind where we went absolutely no where.
Brandon and Caleb loved the river. Kelsie and Isaac did not.
Ronni walked 2 miles up the road in intense heat to get the car after we docked a couple miles early in our river fun. She did have an offer for a ride, but declined since it was only 100 more yards to the car.
The Moab Diner has awesome ice cream. Especially when we were all tuckered out from rowing and being in the sun. It was the best thing to do after the river.
We made glow stick pictures and told ghost stories around the "campfire", which was a simple lantern.
The Moab Rock Shop was really cool and everyone came away with some new rocks to add to their ever growing collections which usually end up out in the yard anyway.
Aunt Kenna made us some really great chicken tacos. Have her make it for you some time and ask her what she calls it.
Highlight of the trip? The hummer ride to Hell's Revenge. The roller coaster part was everyone's favorite, even Isaac's. The views over the Colorado river were stunning and everyone had a great time.
Caleb had a huge smile on his face the entire trip. Nothing was going to get him down. Searching for lizards every time he went to the bathroom was the highlight of his days. The hummer ride was another favorite, followed closely by the river. Especially when Aunt Kenna let him get in the water with her!
Kelsie told a great story around the "campfire", but my favorite was the story she told about the girl who went camping with her family and hated every minute of it. She let us know that they have a lot in common. Being the drama queen that she is, she let us all know that she was going to die on the Hummer ride, but in the end loved every second of it. And, admittedly, her favorite part of our trip was going down the river. Go figure.
Isaac was the most happy when he was roaming free looking for rocks, lizards, and rabbits. He especially loved the smores that we cooked and drove his dad a little mad when it came to holding the roasting stick out of the coals (as in none of his marshmallows were edible). He was not a fan of the river and sat quietly in the boat with a scowl on his face until he could get out. We just covered his face with a hat. He loved the hummer ride as well, and somehow managed to fall asleep in the middle of it. He must have been really tired.
Brandon was totally in his element being outside. He brought his pocketknife and carved on any stick he could find. He was so excited to go down the river, but his excitement drained a little when he realized how hard he was going to have to paddle nonstop. The hummer was his favorite adventure and he let us know how he could to this again. Like now. Right now.
As for the parents, camping is a lot of work. Hard work. Especially in the heat of Moab. We had a great time (minus the wind and sand) and would highly recommend a trip, especially if you have never been. Just not in the middle of summer. Or in the windy season.
Or at least book a cabin instead of a tent.
