Day 2: Moab, Utah to Blanding, Utah

Who would have guessed sleeping in the back of a suburban could be so restful? After 10 hours of shuteye in the quiet and comfort of their very own bedroom on wheels, Heather and Christi-Lynn opened their eyes to overcast skies and buffeting desert winds whetting their appetite for adventure. First things first, though- where would they find wireless internet to send word home to their beloved family and friends of their trip? Miracle of miracles, the Texaco station itself had wireless- and coffee! What fun! After getting some hot water from our new friends at the Texaco station for oatmeal, we ate breakfast and cruised back down the strip in Moab to find Arches National Park. We entered the park after a great debate about whether to get an annual National Parks pass or just pay daily the entrance fee (the same for a suburban or a Hyundai, interestingly enough). However, the friendly woman ranger reassured us that we had 14 days to change our minds and could apply our entrance fee from today at any park when an annual pass was purchased. We drove along the windy road to the north end of the park, deemed the devil’s garden. Praying for the safety of our souls, we embarked on a loop trail with a goal of seeing 7 arches. Christi-Lynn soon found that her short legs were no match for Heather’s long stride- she gasped and wheezed trying to keep up with her energetic friend.
5 hours, many welling-up-within-one’s-soul moments, multiple pictures, some slippery moments on “surprise ice,” hundreds of peanuts and raisins, 7 arches, and 8 miles later, we emerged from the trailhead, feeling like we had truly earned our dinner. But then the question arose, where to? We swept our boots off with the brush on Mr. Burban’s bumper and set forth down Moab’s strip once again, continuing along on 191 through canyons, spotty cell phone service, and rain/snow on the high points. With a “phone-a-friend,” we checked the weather and received suggestions on camping in our next destination, Blanding, Utah. We heard there was a Kampark with tenting sites (i.e. sleeping in the back of Mr. Burban/our bedroom) and wireless. After driving the strip in Blanding, Heather stated, “I think I saw an office sign on the Shell station.” Yes, it was true- another campsite behind a gas station. After checking in with the gas attendant, Heather and Christy-Lynn pulled up to their campsite in the rain and looked at each other. After much debate over their status as hikers/backpackers, they decided to go to the Old Tymer Restaurant for a hot dinner and hopefully free wireless. Thus, we find our happy and full travelers, eager for another night in their bedroom behind a gas station. Who knows what tomorrow will bring? Snow that forces our adventurers south into Arizona or yet another day in Utah before turning to the south?