Thanksgiving 2019 Moab

This my friends, is the start of a great Thanksgiving adventure.

Aaron's car transporter was the most perfect way to get the trail rigs down to Moab. So different than in college days. You always had the hope that your rig would make it back after wheeling it hard, to drive to class the next day.

 Cal is 15 and just received his driver's permit.  He is only allowed to drive with an accompanying adult. Since it was Moab, and we were off-road, we let him drive with his cousin, (pictured here) Paxton Bastian, who is the same age.  We purchased this Jeep Cherokee from my oldest brother, Sid. This jeep belonged to Cal's other cousin, Wade Bastian. Cal was so happy that it was his for many reasons, but it weighed in big for the sentimental value.

The boys had their toys and I was grateful that I had Coco as my sidekick. We loved hiking a lot of the trails and enjoyed being submerged in beautiful wilderness.

One of our best friends and wild adventurer, Aaron Mobbs, who is bringing up the rear, is a Moab nut. He spends so much time in this desert and knows a lot of great trails. He purchased a Humvee several years ago that proved to go just about anywhere. These ex-military vehicles are known for their wide wheelbase and are very capable of driving over red rocks without difficulty. I like it for the reason that it doesn't feel tippy. I've grown a little nervous about this stuff and feel very secure in these vehicles. J-P decided to purchase a Humvee and this was it's Maiden Voyage. It's the one that is leading the convoy.

We happened upon striped rocks. Fascinating. It always makes me wonder how this stuff happens.

Oliver behind the wheel.

Another funny, but cool thing about this Jeep Cherokee is it's very similar to what J-P drove in college, except it was red. Seeing Cal drive this jeep in the desert on the same trails we did in college, creates interesting synchronicity to our life.  Some things in life need repeating.

Now, this would seem to be a big problem, but not for A-A-ron. He's always a cool cumber under dicey wheeling conditions. Most men would abandon(J-P not included), but he kept driving and pulled out of the gully he slid in to.

Sometimes we all need a moment to contemplate our life. The desert has a magical way of resetting us and helping us to remember what matters most. The day to day stuff back at home seems so minor in wide-open spaces.

Coco found her own trail rig. lol

Girl against world

This reminded me of play doe. 

The La Salle Mountains are the backdrop dusted with snow, almost hidden by the clouds

Juniper berries decorate the sparse bush.

Ummmm......

J-P is leading the kids back to our favorite campsite in college. This area is called Bulls Canyon. The rocks created a natural canopy for us to camp under. So many memories here.

This is the area we camped under the rocks.

Gemini Bridges from afar.

 Gemini Bridges
There are two arches.

Elephant on the rocks

Here is a better view of the campsite. Where the rock recesses as it touches the ground is where the natural canopy occurs. This is where we camped.

J-P is not a spiritual man, but when he comes to Moab there is a reverence that is felt. He says he feels closest to God in nature.  The beauty that He created is a marvelous wonder.

This is definitely J-P's happy place.