Road trip - destination Moab, Utah!
Who's been to Utah? I believe I've flown through the airport a few times over the years... and I did have that one last minute long weekend trip to see GARTH BROOKS last year - but that's another adventure.
Specifically Moab. I've seen pictures and heard stories but it isn't a place that I ever thought that I may actually go. Pre-Covid times we did a few trips per year internationally and until Covid - I never stopped to take a closer look at the amazing places to go right here in our own back yards. I'm sure everyone has experienced the big shift from the pandemic and I hope you've all been able to find some freedom from the lock down in one way or another.
I can't even describe what I saw - so many different rock formations and shapes, sizes and colors. It's honestly like you've stepped into some Disneyland creation and something new is around every corner. There were many moments where we discussed the first settlers - "imagine coming around that corner into THIS and thinking WOOOOOW!"
Moab got it's brief start as a Mormon mission town in 1855 - but was just as quickly abandoned that same year after some conflict with the Native people in the area. It didn't start out as Moab, in fact it held many names before being reestablished in 1880's - names include Grand Valley, Spanish Valley and Poverty Flats. As it turns out, Moab is a biblical name for "land just short of the promised land" and was the name given by the Mormon settlers in the 1880's.
During the 1950's there was a uranium mining boom that changed little Moab into an industrial city but this only lasted about 10 years while Moab turned itself into a tourist destination due to the beauty surrounding it. Moab now has some stellar parks to include Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. There are many parks and and areas a bit further from these that can be toured. In addition to the amazing red rock formations you'll find river rafting, hiking, biking, horseback riding, rock climbing and fossil dinosaur prints!
If you're looking for more information - and a free travel guide - visit "Discover Moab" it is full of information, photos, videos and answers.
Another resource - "Do It Like A Local" that promotes sustainable tourism.
