Myakkans West

We arrived with Steve and Laurie Chubb, Alice Clark and Tom Connor from Pagosa Springs to Archview RV Resort and Campground which is located about nine miles north of Moab, Utah. It was called Archview because way off in the distance you could see “The Windows” arches of Arches National Park. We had planned a meeting of Myakkans (Myakka River Motorcoach Resort residents) way back in March. Originally we were supposed to have twelve coaches but due to unforeseen circumstances we were down to seven. Still, not a bad gathering!

Met up with Susie and Peter Batey, Pam Mercer, Kirt Warner, Kim and Tami Mulder, and Jeff and Molli Wills. Friends (Sheree and Blake Evan) of the Wills also joined in on the fun and stayed with them in their coach. Gathered for drinks and a campfire before heading in for dinner. Molli made some soup and invited Katrina and I over for dinner at their coach. Yummy!

The next morning we got together and drove the Gemini Bridges Road to see the natural bridges and beauty of the area. We had four jeeps, Wills with us in the back, Chubbs with Alice and Tom in the back, Peter, and Kirt and Pam. It is named Gemini Bridges because there are twin bridges (arches) along the road where you can stop and walk across and around.

Here’s the gang assembled:

Steve Chubb headed back to the campground with Tom, Alice and I while the others continued on to the opposite side of the Gemini Bridges. Once everyone returned to Archview, we gathered for a Mexican dinner that Katrina, Molli and Pam made for us. Excellent chicken tacos and sides! We got three fire pits going to keep warm as we talked the night away.

Here’s the gang reassembled:

The following day we headed out to tackle the Fins & Things trail. We took two Jeeps (Jeff and Molli and Peter’s) and two Gladiators (Kirt and Pam, and Kim and Tami) over the obstacles and over the fins. Jeff and Molli were experienced and helped everyone else out as they learned what their vehicle could do and how much they wanted to push it.

And the group picture:

What beautiful views:

We met up with Tom and Alice for lunch at Milt’s in town for some burgers. Outstanding greasy burgers and shakes – a must stop in Moab! After our stomachs were full, we headed back out to complete the other half of Fins & Things. It took longer than anticipated because of the new vehicles and comfort level of the drivers, but by the end of the trail all were experienced and knew what they were willing to do and what their vehicles could do!

The next day Katrina jumped in the Wills Jeep and with Pam & Kirt, Kim and Tami in tow they went out to see the Crystal Geyser which is unique as a cold water geyser. I stayed back to take care of some pressing business and to get some work done on the coach. Here are some pictures from Katrina’s experience:

They also stopped along the way to check out other formations:

Here’s their group picture:

Meanwhile I was able to wrap up by business emails and I was able to change the black water gate valve on the coach.

Note to self: Do not let others empty your coach tanks without supervision!

Once everyone returned to Archview, we had a group meal at the Moab Brewery.

It was a really treat to celebrate Peter’s birthday together! Real good eats and brews! Happy Birthday, Peter!

The following day multiple people went out jeeping while the Chubbs and the Busses rode bikes down into Moab where we signed up for UTVs the following day.

Coincidentally we arrived at the same time that the Wills did after they picked up their friends, Sheree and Blake, from the airport. We all decided to have lunch at Dewey’s Restaurant and Bar. Fun place for a quick meal!

We pedaled (ok, we used a lot of electrical power up the hills) back to Archview in time to get cleaned up as we had dinner reservations for all of us at The Sunset Grill.

One of the enjoyable aspects of the evening was having the restaurant pick us up in their shuttle! Cramming 14 of us into the shuttle and listening to the conversations was a hoot! Peter and Susie met us there as they picked up Peter’s daughter Sarah and her friend Elle who were visiting for a few days. We ate dinner on the patio to watch the sunset although it was a bit cold.

Unfortunately when our food was being delivered to us the waiter and server collided and dropped six of our dinners that then had to be remade which extended the evening. That’s ok, we continued having a great time! As we were waiting in the shuttle, Jeff hopped in the drivers seat and moved us up about ten feet. You should have seen the look on the driver’s face as he came running back to the shuttle!

The next morning all of us went down to pick up our rented UTVs (side-by-sides or Razors) and headed out to tackle the Hell’s Revenge trail. What a beautifully scenic trail that challenged us! Check out these pictures:

And the group picture:

After conquering Hell’s Revenge, we gassed up to head out to Chicken Corners. Sarah and Elle decided to have lunch and go shopping instead of more riding so Sheree was able to drive the extra Razor. We were rewarded after a long ride with these vistas:

When we stopped for a break on the ride back towards town, Steve had too much dirt and grit in his eyes to continue on and decided to return the UTV and get checked out at an Urgent Care. Tom and Alice decided to head back with them.

The rest of us went to tackle the Kane Creek trail. Katrina and I had never done that trail so we were really excited. It was fun to transverse the creek multiple times.

It was all fun and games until this happened:

Apparently Kim thought that he would take a short cut! He got his Razor out without too much difficulty but both him and Tami were wet from the waist down. We all had to hurry home as the deadline was dooming to return the UTVs without getting charged for another day. After we got the UTVs cleaned up and although we were filthy;

Jeff, Molli, Sheree, Kirt, Pam, Katrina and I went out for dinner at Zax.

Katrina and I chilled the entire next day as others went out jeeping. We found out that Steve had a partially detached cornea and needed to rest. Other friends, John and Judy Haskins, arrived with their coach. That night we caught the moon rising and had a fire afterwards.

The following day the Chubbs and us decided to hike Arched National Park. When we got there we discovered that the park was full and that we should return in three to five hours! We also learned the Arches set an attendance record for 2021 the 2nd Saturday we were there! We are so glad that we hit so many national parks in 2020 when people stayed away due to the pandemic! We redirected our plans and went to hike the Grandstaff Canyon Trail to see the Morning Glory Bridge. Since it was a state park and not a National Park we could have brought Bear but since we didn’t plan on this hike he didn’t get to come with us. The hike reminded us of the Kane Creek Trail that we did in the Razors only we were hiking this time. Back and forth across the creek balancing on stones so that we wouldn’t get our feet wet.

It was definitely worth a few wet toes as we got to see the Morning Glory Bridge:

What a wonderful and unexpected formation!

That night we all grabbed some appetizers, chairs and drinks and headed over to watch the sunset at the Dead Horse Point State Park. The name comes from when ranchers herded wild horses onto the point (very steep drop offs on three sides) and then corralled them there. After selecting the horses that they wanted they left the other ones there to die as there was no water or food to be found.

On a lighter note, here are some pictures of the beautiful sunset with beautiful people:

And my favorite:

The next day we decided to take our truck so that Bear could have an adventure too with three other vehicles to four wheel on the Dome Plateau Trail as we thought that it would be easy enough for our truck to handle. Well, about 0.6 miles in we determined that a stock pickup truck should not be attempting this trail. We stopped and watch our other vehicles tackle an obstacle. While we were there a group of new Broncos pulled up and we got to talk with the guides. Apparently when you buy the Bronco a four-by-four class is included if you pay for your own transportation to and from the site. Pretty cool!

After watching a few Bronco groups go through, Katrina and I decided to rehike the Grandstaff Canyon Trail with Bear. Boy did he have fun!

Since this would be our last night, Katrina and I wanted to go out for sushi as we heard that Moab had a good sushi restaurant named Bangkok House Too. We were able to get reservations for a group of twelve as John and Judy had a late lunch and Kim and Tami pulled out earlier in the day.

We had a wonderful time and surprisingly the sushi was good, especially the lobster roll!

Afterwards we all gathered at our place for our last campfire and found out that Tom really likes S’mores!

The next day Katrina and I finished packing up and headed out as we started working our way back to MRMR – home. We had a fantastic time with all those gathered in Moab from Myakka River Motorcoach Resort. It was sad to move on, but we knew we would all meet up again soon in warmer weather. I can only say:

MYAKKANS ROCK!