Three days in Moab (visit #2, or 3?)–Big Trip #2

We visited Moab in November 2018 as part of Big Trip #2. Read about our previous visits during Big Trip #1 in 2016 here and here.

Moab is a fun town! If you are a hiker or mountain biker with an appreciation for stunning red sandstone vistas, you’ll be happy here. Despite our favorite quesadilla truck being closed for the season, we managed to have a terrific time. (And technically, this is visit #3, since we went twice on Big Trip #1…)

Campground

Last trip we stayed at Canyonlands RV Resort and Campground, one of our favorite campgrounds (not just because of the cookies and the proximity to Moab Brewery) at the south edge of downtown. This trip, they were closed for the season, so we stayed at The Portal RV Resort, just north of downtown, very close to the entrance to Arches National Park. The Portal is quiet and clean, with a peaceful view across a horse pasture, but it’s more expensive than Canyonlands RV.

Hiking

We squeezed four hikes into our visit. Bugsy’s feet were still healing, so she stayed behind in the cozy Airstream while we hiked, poor girl.

Arches National Park

After spending a day at Arches last trip, we planned to do all our hiking outside the National Park to avoid the crowds… but we couldn’t stay away. I adore Delicate Arch so zipped up there for a morning run, and was fortunate to share the arch with only a few other people. It was glorious.

Later, we went back up into the park for an evening stroll down the Park Avenue trail, winding past skyscraper-like red monoliths.

Moab Outskirts

Fisher Towers: We loved this hike! It’s an out-and-back, about five miles total, with a ladder at mile 1.25 that is not dog-friendly. The scenery is spectactular and the trail isn’t demanding. The towers are a popular climbing spot, and we saw someone BASE jump from the top!

Corona Arch: This is one of the most popular hikes in Moab, and we avoided it last trip for that reason. It’s really lovely, though, and worth a visit. The hike is short, about three miles, and close to town. You get a bonus pothole-type arch, Bowtie Arch, thrown in for free.

Eating

We loved Sabaku Sushi last trip, and were excited to return. The sushi and cocktails did not disappoint.

Atomic Grill and Lounge is next door to the Portal RV campground, and is said to have the best burger in town. Our food was tasty and we enjoyed sitting at the bar, and did I mention you can walk there from the campground?

Lunch at charming little Eklecticafe was filling and delicious and pretty nutritious. Our food was much better than the sad prepared salads we got another day from Moonflower to take hiking. (We love Moonflower for groceries, however.)

We took our laptops to Peace Tree Juice Cafe for a working coffee/tea break, but the wifi wasn’t working. Grr.

Drinking

It’s tricky to go out for drinks in Utah. Their backward laws require you to order food with your drink, so if you’re planning a pre-dinner cocktail, you have to have a snack, too. For once we were happy to have a snack foisted upon us, because our pre-dinner cocktail destination was La Sal House. The cocktails were fancy, the staff was skilled, the menu features lots of farm-to-table dishes, and our fried butternut squash snack was nuggets of magic sprinkled with crack. We’ll definitely have dinner there next trip.

Shopping

Bugsy’s paws needed help. Our first stop on the quest to fix her feet was The Moab Barkery, a doggie supply boutique. We left with some paw salve and more vet wrap, but they were out of dog boots. Canyon Voyages saved the day! Bugsy’s new boots are sturdy and hilarious, and after she got used to them she didn’t mind wearing them.