First time in Moab

I had a fun weekend on my ward camp out. We went one our annual trip to Moab. I was so excited that I had the time off, and I was just excited to go because I have never been down there before! This trip was from Thursday from Saturday and I got to be there entire time.

I met up with the first group Thurs morning, and ended up driving with the Bishop and the 2nd Counselor, Bro. Etherington, in the Suburban pulling the trailer with the supplies. Two other guys were in this morning group and so the three of us hung out until the rest of the group started showing up. It's a five hour drive to Moab, so we got there in the early afternoon and started setting up camp and the people started showing up and we had dinner. I brought David's little two-man tent and ended sleeping there myself - it was nice. I also got to use my new sleeping bag and it was so nice and warm! I love it!

Later we went a walk to the Gemini Bridges. These are some deep caverns that are smoothly carved out and will someday be new arches. No, I didn't get any pictures because it was dark and I didn't bring my camera. Anyway, these were amazing and little scary because there were no guardrails.

Friday was a fun-filled day. After breakfast I went with the first group going rafting on the river. I can't remember if it was the Green River or the Colorado River! The ward rented these 2 big 11-man rafts and we loaded them into the "put out" area in the river. I was nervous, but excited. We all straddled the outside edges and had paddles to get us down the river. The rapids were a little scary, but not mishaps. We were told beforehand that if we fell out that we needed to float downstream feet first. Interesting and logical! During the slow parts some of people on my raft were playing games and flipping off the side - I didn't participate out of fear of falling in. The water was really cold! On the last rapid it was a bit bigger and on one of the swells one guy, Jim, fell out and the Bishop almost fell out. It was scary at first because we didn't see Jim pop back up from under water - but he soon popped out in front of us. He told us later that he popped up under our boat a few times, then finally broke the surface. Yikes! Soon our time on the river came to an end and we pulled out. All in all, it was a fun experience. Since we only had 2 rafts, only half of the ward group could go rafting at a time - so after we pulled out the other group was waiting to get it. Our group went up to a watering hole. It entailed a little hike, which wasn't too strenuous, but I was wearing my water shoes (the wannabe Crocs) and they had not traction - it wasn't the most enjoyable hike. This watering hole had rock cliffs that people were jumping from into the water. The rest of us just watched. I really wanted to swim around, and cool off, but no one else was so I just hung to the back and took a few pictures. After the watering hole, we just went back to camp and had some dinner. Unfortunately we couldn't get cleaned up after swimming because our camping spot didn't have running water. We were lucky to have a toilet at least! We were all exhausted after dinner and we just hung out around the fire. That's what you do when camping right?

Saturday, I didn't get to do what I had planned - but I don't have any regrets. I arranged to go back in the same vehicle I came down in, with the 1st counselor Bro. Graham, and he and his family stayed back from the hike to Delicate Arch to help break down camp. I didn't want to get separated from my ride and I was happy stay and help out. To be honest, my legs were so stiff that I didn't think I could hike comfortably! That just means that I'll have to come back to see Delicate Arch! We left soon after getting all packed up and I was glad because I was exhausted and so dirty! (hehe) I rode back with Brother Graham, his wife Kathy and their son, Tom, who is about my age. They were so friendly and we had a good time talking on the way back. I have included some pictures, but I now realize that I didn't take very many! I'm just not in picture mode anymore!

Sunday it was fun seeing who was sunburned and what not - but it was just good to be clean again!