Arches, Moab, and Hole n the Rock

I drove down to Moab on Wednesday afternoon, and after 3 stops on the way (never drink 4 glasses of ice water before a road trip) I finally made it!  After going out for a late dinner, it was nice to relax in the room and find out who the next American Idol was.  We had work meetings all day on Thursday and part of the day on Friday. I enjoyed getting to know people from work and our Authority Board better, including meeting for dinner each night.  I thought about doing restaurant reviews while there... but we ended up going to the same few restaurants-- Moab Brewery was across the street and we went there for dinner THREE nights in a row.  I think that some of the group went there a fourth night as well...Luckily the menu was varied, the food good, and they were able to accommodate large groups.  Went to Moab Diner twice for lunch and the Pancake House twice for breakfast.  Not too original, but we had a great time.

On Thursday afternoon, a few of us drove up to Arches National Park after our meetings and before dinner.  Beautiful scenery-- although the light wasn't great for taking pictures.  Most of my pix on Thursday turned out pretty bad because of a new lens and filter that I was playing around with.  I deleted almost all of them and was glad to go back on Friday afternoon and try again.

Kim drove down on Friday morning and so we were able to visit Arches again in the afternoon.  We still had bright afternoon light for taking pictures but I used a different lens and am more happy with the pictures.  So much to see...  and I just wonder how you could come up with scenery this beautiful.  Looking around at beautiful scenery is such a spiritual experience for me.  Love it!

After a few hours, we had to head back because I'd agreed to go to the restaurant early and get on the waiting list.  Imagine going to a restaurant when there is already a line, on a busy Memorial Day weekend,  and telling the hostess that you would need tables for FIFTY,  and that they would be there in about an hour...  I was surprised at how accommodating they were although it would have been easier if they had just taken reservations when we called.  They immediately stopped seating in the back room and by the time everyone arrived, the room was empty and waiting for us.  Thanks Moab Brewery! 

I've written separately about jeeping and the boat tour on Saturday.  Both very fun!  On Sunday morning, we got ready and headed south of town a few miles to visit Hole N the Rock-- a very quirky roadside attraction-- before heading home.  A couple blasted a diner and then an entire home full of rooms into the rock complete with a commercial kitchen, running water, and year-round comfortable temperatures.  You aren't allowed to take pictures in the home itself but it actually looked like it could be an ok place to live.  We didn't spring for the extra ticket for the petting zoo but were able to wander around the grounds and look at all sorts of interesting and odd things.  Here are pics of a few of them.

Fun place to stop before heading back home... I was glad that we left on Sunday rather than Memorial Day itself.  Traffic was light and we made good time getting home.  Why can't every weekend be like this?