October Trip to Moab

In early October, Ben and I drove to Moab, Utah to spend the weekend with a few close friends. This trip is one that Ben makes annually, if not more often. I first joined him in 2007, during the first month we were dating, and fell in love with the beauty of the desert. So vast and unforgiving, but breathtakingly beautiful. This year, the weekend was gorgeous with nearly perfect weather (all but the wind storm on Sunday, which managed to pick up two of the group's tents and leave them in ruins).  Ben ended up staying the entire week for a solo mountain biking trip - and oh, did I envy him.

We took one group ride at Gemini Bridges, had a couple of great bonfires, took a discovery drive through the La Sal mountain range, and overall just enjoyed the company of each other. I didn't take many photos, but here are a few that I captured to highlight the trip:

This is in the parking lot of Gemini Bridges. We just so happened to drive in when a train was passing over the bike trail.

Here we are at the base of the Gemini Bridges trail.

Here is my Jeep (for those who haven't seen it yet) and some Aspens on our drive through the La Sal's.

Again, on our drive. We stopped at a lake and I let the dogs stretch their legs a bit (we had a few flurries at elevation!).

A breathtaking view of Moab.

And at the end of the trip, Byrdie and Ellie were all worn out, and what better place to sleep than next to one another in Ellie's cozy crate?

Ben and I truly love Moab. We have been here three times in the last two years, including Thanksgiving last year. We spent a cold, rainy four days together mostly in the comfort of the tent, car or cozy coffee shop and bookstore we found downtown. We had our own Thanksgiving dinner of homemade chicken soup (with stuffing thrown in there!), rolls and pumpkin pie! Despite the weather, we remember the trip fondly and we plan to spend Thanksgiving in Moab again this year.

Our quick trip with friends did not disappoint. I'm looking forward to next month and exploring a bit more of Moab.