cj9200
DIS Dad #412
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2006
I would say you would be hard pressed to do much better.
-
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Rocky Mountain Highs (a non-Disney Trip Report) - COMPLETE 2/17
- Thread starter Captain_Oblivious
- Start date
I would say you would be hard pressed to do much better.
MAGICFOR2
Condimentessa
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2005
No worries, I feel your pain right now.
Captain_Oblivious
DIS Dad #257, Galactic Salad Dodger
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig.
I refuse to answer on the grounds that it my incriminate me.
We made sure we had fuel. It was worth it to take that road.
The common denominator is making mistakes. I have a wealth of experience there.
Yeah. It's like Radiator Springs without the happy ending.
Still better than summers back east.
Where's the sense of adventure?
I’m nominating that line for quote of the TR.
We’ll have to vote on them when you wrap this one up.
I'm just glad I can get a laugh now and then!
Understatement?
I just wish it wasn't so slimy.
Some of that was saliva. A lot of it was sweat.
Thanks! I like that one too.
It was memorable, for sure.
Actually, it was from a friend who watched him while Julie was teaching over the year. She would have to keep him away from the oven by saying, "No, it's hot!" He picked it up from her.
Salty snacks do not last long in my family.
Most definitely.
Yep, we're jerks.
Good, because you're getting more!
Thanks! We thought that was a neat formation too.
Captain_Oblivious
DIS Dad #257, Galactic Salad Dodger
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
That does seem like a prerequisite, doesn't it?
Totally worth it!
You're the second one to suggest that. Maybe I'm onto a little business plan here.
Well, if you squeezed yourself into this certain corner by this certain rock at the right time of day...
It sure beats New Jersey.
What did you say to her to earn that look????
She's a teenager. I probably just said hello or something.
It is quite the photogenic sippy cup.
Now that is definitely a possibility. Don't cross the women in my family when they're hangry.
Gotcha. Now I know what to look for in Canada.
I'm ignoring this, as promised.
The drive and pictures of everything are absolutely jaw-dropping gorgeous. Julie did a great job capturing the area and even so I am sure it is more beautiful in person.
So glad you all survived the hike and the cliffs.
The one thing you can't capture in photos is the expanse of it. You can turn almost 360 degrees and have a view in every direction.
By the looks of lack of updates, you must be as busy as me. Hope all is well in your corner of the woods.
I've been running around like crazy. I'm hoping to have time to do an update today if I can. 
Tammie! I'm glad you found me!Hydration was definitely key. That and not running around up there. We did notice a difference, for sure.
Hi Karin! I hope you guys had a great summer. And I can certainly see why those are some of your favorite places!
Plenty of high points to come, don't worry!
I'd be inclined to agree.
It's Friday. Let's all take a deep breath!
Captain_Oblivious
DIS Dad #257, Galactic Salad Dodger
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
Ok, when you're ready, waiting for more pictures and story.
Coming right up!
Captain_Oblivious
DIS Dad #257, Galactic Salad Dodger
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
Chapter 9: Hey, Joe! Butch-a He Say He Wants-a Two Spaghetti Speciale, Heavy on the Meats-a Ball.
It was the Father’s Day we all dream about: sitting in a crowded minivan with the A/C on full blast, munching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on slightly stale bread and washing it down with warm water. Living the dream!
Well, there was that awesome hike we did. And the spectacular drive before that. So yeah, life was good.
We drove back through the park, stopping at a couple of overlooks we’d passed on the way in. You’ll never believe this, but the overlooks in Canyonlands National Park almost always give you a view of canyonlands.
After we’d rested a bit, we had one more hike we’d wanted to do. It was a short one (1/2-mile round trip) to Mesa Arch, one of the more famous landmarks in the park. We (and when I say we, I mean “I”) decided to give my shoulders a break and let the baby walk a bit.
May and early June is peak wildflower season in Utah, so we’d just missed that. But we did find a couple of prickly-pear cactus blooms still clinging to life. One pink, one yellow. A matched set.
This was a pretty easy hike, and another worthy one. Climbing over a gentle ride, the arch was revealed:
The coolest feature about this arch is that you can walk right up to the edge and it provides a natural window to the canyons below. So if you’re brave and/or stupid enough to get that close, you can get some neat photos. Julie handed me the camera and stood back.
This is an especially great spot at sunrise, as the sun will often peek right through the arch as it rises over the canyon walls. If, you know, you’re willing to get up that early.
Once Julie saw that I wasn’t going to fall to my death, she took the camera back so we could prove to future generations that we had actually visited this place.
We took our time walking back to the car. Along the way, we found that even God Himself couldn’t resist planting a Hidden Mickey in the park.
We were reaching the hottest part of the day, so we figured now was the best time to stop at the visitor center. In order to get their junior ranger badges, the kids had to watch the park video inside. We all sat down in the small theater. Due to the crowds and seating configuration, Julie and I had to sit on a bench on the left side with Drew while the other kids sat in the front row on the right. About 30 seconds into the video, Drew decided he needed to be with his brothers and sister, so he got up and wandered over to their bench. That lasted all of 2 minutes before he decided he needed to open up the cabinet holding the TV and video equipment and start exploring in there. So I got up and grabbed him and escorted him out of the room, his shrieks of protest adding some wonderful emotion and drama to the movie for the rest of the visitors inside.
So, I have no idea if the movie they show is any good or not. But I can report that toddlers do love to run around, smack and climb on all of the exhibits in the visitor center. They can also empty sales racks in the gift shop very quickly.
Once the junior ranger badges were obtained and the kids had shopped for their souvenir pins, patches, and postcards, we left Canyonlands. Our last stop before returning to Moab was Dead Horse Point State Park. I’m not sure why this isn’t part of the National Park other than it’s a good place for Utah to do a little cash grab of their own, but it’s $10 admission for a vehicle. The payoff is yet another spectacular view, this time of a horseshoe bend in the Colorado River as it winds through the red rock walls below.
You're probably wondering how this park got its name. Legend has it that cowboys would round up wild horses at this point, as it was connected to the rest of the mesa by a narrow land bridge that made the point work as a natural corral. They'd take the horses they liked and leave the rest. The horses that were left on the point died of thirst in the desert, within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.
Well, that's a cheery thought. Who wants some vacation photos?
The baby was sleeping in the car, so Julie and I had to see the view in shifts. You do what you gotta do.
With that, we drove back to Moab and checked into our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express of Moab. It was already crowded, a good indication that the summer high season was here. We chose this place due to its swimming pool (which you’ll see later). And cinnamon rolls. Because cinnamon rolls.
We decided to head into town and try and beat the crowds to dinner. Our choice this evening was Pasta Jay’s. We were in the mood for some Italian food to break things up a bit.
Going out early worked, and we were seated right away. Right away, we were a bit put off by the server. She had a surly vibe mixed with a stoned-type affectation that gave the distinct impression she would rather have been somewhere else. She’d make a comment and then laugh it off unenthusiastically, leaving us wondering if she was joking with us or really had a problem. It was weird.
Baby Drew hadn’t quite gotten his full nap, so he was restless and a bit out of sorts. We ordered our food and then worked on entertaining him so he wouldn’t annoy the other diners. We were only having moderate success when the food arrived. Baby Drew loves spaghetti noodles, so we piled them nice and high in front of him and let him go to town. Naturally, this made a mess. At some point, the waitress noticed all of the stray noodle bits littering the floor and made some rude comment about the awful mess we created and that we should have brought a toddler in. Again, we got the sort-of-laugh-but-not-really, leaving us wondering, “Was that a joke?” Even the people at the table next to us made a comment like, “Wow, that was rude.”
So, that made us want to finish and get out of there. The food was just ok. I love me a good chicken parmesan, so that’s my go-to order in an Italian place. Here, everything came out looking exactly the same. Whatever you ordered, it was in a bowl swimming in tomato sauce.
It tasted ok, but I like my chicken parm to be nice and crispy-fried, contrasting with the sauce. Here it was drowned and soggy. Not horrible, but not a meal that made me want to run back. Combined with the service, we’ll go someplace else next time.
Once back at the hotel, the kids begged for the pool. Since it was Father’s Day, Julie volunteered to take the kids over to swim while I watched the end of the U.S. Open in the room. After Dustin Johnson 3-putted the last hole to hand the championship to Jordan Spieth, I got my bathing suit on and joined the rest of the family. We swam and cooled off under the setting sun. I’d love to show you some photos, but I don’t have any from that evening. I was too busy giving the baby “motorboat” rides and tossing the big kids through the air so they’d splash-land in the pool while they tried to climb on my back and dunk me. It was Father’s Day. That’s what you do.
Coming Up Next: Oh, just your average walk straight uphill under bright sun and desert heat with a 30-lb. baby strapped to your back. There’d better a worthwhile payoff at the end.
It was the Father’s Day we all dream about: sitting in a crowded minivan with the A/C on full blast, munching on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich on slightly stale bread and washing it down with warm water. Living the dream!
Well, there was that awesome hike we did. And the spectacular drive before that. So yeah, life was good.
We drove back through the park, stopping at a couple of overlooks we’d passed on the way in. You’ll never believe this, but the overlooks in Canyonlands National Park almost always give you a view of canyonlands.
After we’d rested a bit, we had one more hike we’d wanted to do. It was a short one (1/2-mile round trip) to Mesa Arch, one of the more famous landmarks in the park. We (and when I say we, I mean “I”) decided to give my shoulders a break and let the baby walk a bit.
May and early June is peak wildflower season in Utah, so we’d just missed that. But we did find a couple of prickly-pear cactus blooms still clinging to life. One pink, one yellow. A matched set.
This was a pretty easy hike, and another worthy one. Climbing over a gentle ride, the arch was revealed:
The coolest feature about this arch is that you can walk right up to the edge and it provides a natural window to the canyons below. So if you’re brave and/or stupid enough to get that close, you can get some neat photos. Julie handed me the camera and stood back.
This is an especially great spot at sunrise, as the sun will often peek right through the arch as it rises over the canyon walls. If, you know, you’re willing to get up that early.
Once Julie saw that I wasn’t going to fall to my death, she took the camera back so we could prove to future generations that we had actually visited this place.
We took our time walking back to the car. Along the way, we found that even God Himself couldn’t resist planting a Hidden Mickey in the park.
We were reaching the hottest part of the day, so we figured now was the best time to stop at the visitor center. In order to get their junior ranger badges, the kids had to watch the park video inside. We all sat down in the small theater. Due to the crowds and seating configuration, Julie and I had to sit on a bench on the left side with Drew while the other kids sat in the front row on the right. About 30 seconds into the video, Drew decided he needed to be with his brothers and sister, so he got up and wandered over to their bench. That lasted all of 2 minutes before he decided he needed to open up the cabinet holding the TV and video equipment and start exploring in there. So I got up and grabbed him and escorted him out of the room, his shrieks of protest adding some wonderful emotion and drama to the movie for the rest of the visitors inside.
So, I have no idea if the movie they show is any good or not. But I can report that toddlers do love to run around, smack and climb on all of the exhibits in the visitor center. They can also empty sales racks in the gift shop very quickly.
Once the junior ranger badges were obtained and the kids had shopped for their souvenir pins, patches, and postcards, we left Canyonlands. Our last stop before returning to Moab was Dead Horse Point State Park. I’m not sure why this isn’t part of the National Park other than it’s a good place for Utah to do a little cash grab of their own, but it’s $10 admission for a vehicle. The payoff is yet another spectacular view, this time of a horseshoe bend in the Colorado River as it winds through the red rock walls below.
You're probably wondering how this park got its name. Legend has it that cowboys would round up wild horses at this point, as it was connected to the rest of the mesa by a narrow land bridge that made the point work as a natural corral. They'd take the horses they liked and leave the rest. The horses that were left on the point died of thirst in the desert, within view of the Colorado River 2,000 feet below.
Well, that's a cheery thought. Who wants some vacation photos?
The baby was sleeping in the car, so Julie and I had to see the view in shifts. You do what you gotta do.
With that, we drove back to Moab and checked into our hotel, the Holiday Inn Express of Moab. It was already crowded, a good indication that the summer high season was here. We chose this place due to its swimming pool (which you’ll see later). And cinnamon rolls. Because cinnamon rolls.
We decided to head into town and try and beat the crowds to dinner. Our choice this evening was Pasta Jay’s. We were in the mood for some Italian food to break things up a bit.
Going out early worked, and we were seated right away. Right away, we were a bit put off by the server. She had a surly vibe mixed with a stoned-type affectation that gave the distinct impression she would rather have been somewhere else. She’d make a comment and then laugh it off unenthusiastically, leaving us wondering if she was joking with us or really had a problem. It was weird.
Baby Drew hadn’t quite gotten his full nap, so he was restless and a bit out of sorts. We ordered our food and then worked on entertaining him so he wouldn’t annoy the other diners. We were only having moderate success when the food arrived. Baby Drew loves spaghetti noodles, so we piled them nice and high in front of him and let him go to town. Naturally, this made a mess. At some point, the waitress noticed all of the stray noodle bits littering the floor and made some rude comment about the awful mess we created and that we should have brought a toddler in. Again, we got the sort-of-laugh-but-not-really, leaving us wondering, “Was that a joke?” Even the people at the table next to us made a comment like, “Wow, that was rude.”
So, that made us want to finish and get out of there. The food was just ok. I love me a good chicken parmesan, so that’s my go-to order in an Italian place. Here, everything came out looking exactly the same. Whatever you ordered, it was in a bowl swimming in tomato sauce.
It tasted ok, but I like my chicken parm to be nice and crispy-fried, contrasting with the sauce. Here it was drowned and soggy. Not horrible, but not a meal that made me want to run back. Combined with the service, we’ll go someplace else next time.
Once back at the hotel, the kids begged for the pool. Since it was Father’s Day, Julie volunteered to take the kids over to swim while I watched the end of the U.S. Open in the room. After Dustin Johnson 3-putted the last hole to hand the championship to Jordan Spieth, I got my bathing suit on and joined the rest of the family. We swam and cooled off under the setting sun. I’d love to show you some photos, but I don’t have any from that evening. I was too busy giving the baby “motorboat” rides and tossing the big kids through the air so they’d splash-land in the pool while they tried to climb on my back and dunk me. It was Father’s Day. That’s what you do.
Coming Up Next: Oh, just your average walk straight uphill under bright sun and desert heat with a 30-lb. baby strapped to your back. There’d better a worthwhile payoff at the end.
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes
If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2007
Such ingratitude, after all the times I saved your life.
Odd...
I had to evoke that same amendment right just this morning.
I've a sneaking suspicion that most of us possess those same riches.
Mmmmmmm, could be...
Nor mine
better not to buy them (but that ain't happenin')
Ehhh...
Some folks just deserve to be reffered to as: "Suckers...."
Captain_Oblivious
DIS Dad #257, Galactic Salad Dodger
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2008
I actually watched that movie for the first time about a month ago. I was surprised at how slow it was.
If you're like me, you use it all the time. That's what it's there for!
They are new every morning.
Not in this house, either. I barely get any now since my kids are faster.
Sure, works for me!
mickeystoontown
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2006
What a great way to spend Father's Day! The pictures are absolutely stunning (don't think that I've used stunning to describe your pics before and it's hard to come up with something new since beautiful and gorgeous have been said so many times). My sister and her husband used to go to Moab all the time for offroad vehicle runs. They used to own Superlift which was/is well known truck lifter upper thing-a-ma-bob business. Hey, I'm not into those kind of things. I just know that they jacked up trucks...in a good way, of course. Anyway, the used to climb those rocks in the canyons that you visited.
Um, wow, what a grumpy waitress you had. What did she expect you to do? Leave Drew in the van? I don't understand people like that.
Um, wow, what a grumpy waitress you had. What did she expect you to do? Leave Drew in the van? I don't understand people like that.
glennbo123
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 10, 2008
We took our time walking back to the car. Along the way, we found that even God Himself couldn’t resist planting a Hidden Mickey in the park.
A hidden Oswald!!!
Steppesister
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2013
I read that (don't judge, my eyes hurt and are tired from reading all day long) with an entirely different noun at the end....
Which made the next phrase that much more hilarious. I did go back and straighten things up. But either way, it's truth.
Anyway, I LOVE those "Gooseneck" overlooks. I took MANY long drives in Northern Arizona, where I have my undergrad degree, to camp on the cliff edges.
GoofyIsAsGoofyDoes
If it’s still here tomorrow… I may ignore it again
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2007
Yeah…
It didn’t need to be 3+ hours
I know where the good parts are so I generally flip between that and something else whenever I run across it on the Telle.
Tony, dogs-a don't a-talk!
I was mowing the yard (push type, not self-propelled) and digging out an overgrown compost heap…
Your dream beats my reality
Who’d a thunk?
Well obviously she figured you for at least one of those two options.
I do believe that clarifies which of those two groups she had you pegged into.
So, are y’all coming back in the morning for a chance at that shot?
An endorsement or a test of observance; one wonders…
Taking after Lewis and Clark I see…
He’s a one man… errr.. one toddler Corps of Discovery.
Hay, you didn’t just leave him to dissect the AV cabinet.
That, I’d have seen as a problem (and I’ve seen such things allowed).
The shrieks that resulted from you actually parenting…
I did my time; I get it...
I’d have gotten over it quickly.
Infinitely talented, those toddlers.
Sharing the wealth…
We’ve got a similar spot here that’s half NPS and half State Park. But both are free entry (or at least they were the last time I was there), so I guess – really - it’s not the same thing at all then, is it?.
The thought crossed the few working brain cells that I’ve got left…
Ahhhh…
The advantages of having “unlimited resources” and no oversight.
Well… it’s not like we’re here for the dazzling repartee
<<grunt>>
It just goes on, and on, and on…
I know there’s a horizon out there somewhere, but I can’t find it for being captivated by everything else spayed out in front of you.
Can’t imagine how breathtaking it must be to actually stand there and see it.
Not a lot worth commenting on there…
At least nothing particularly humorous or even snarky (it’d all just come out as disgust)
Well cross that one off the possibilities list.
Sorry it wasn’t better that that.
Yes… yes it is
Almost makes up for the server and middlin’ dinner
Ya’ done good there.
Knowing your national park planning skilz…
I don’t believe you’d have even considered it otherwise.
Observant… nicely done, sir.
pkondz
Brace yourself for immediate disintegration
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2007
As I sit here and type this, I ponder what I will be doing for supper.
Now I know.
Let the craving begin!
Hey, settle down there mister!
You were just telling us what a great Father's Day you were having!
See? That's better.
Really?!?!?
I would have guessed sky-scrapers.
Huh.
Learn something new every day.
Oh boy! Oh boy oh boy oh boy!!!
Well, I suppose she'd tell you that she carried him for 9 months, so you can do some carrying for a bit.
I have no idea where I could've gotten that idea from...
Nice. And nice pics, too.
Gorgeous. Worth the risk.
"She quickly made a call to our insurance agent and asked what I was worth, if, well, you know..."
I think I would be willing.
Actually, I think I'd like to shoot it at night, with the stars.
Is that even possible? Or is the area inaccessible at night?
"she let out a little sigh of disappointment and hung up the phone."
Well, I can think of worse people to emulate.Uh, oh!
And right about now is when you can tell the good parents from the bad.
Good parents it is.
Kudos on the writing, BTW. Like how you wrote that last bit.
Ya just can't keep a good kid down.
Would you please stop posting these jaw-droppingly beautiful photos?
I'm running out of adjectives.
Interesting.
And not really surprising. Animal rights? Yeah, not so much back then.
Have I mentioned how much I like that shirt?
I like the fact that you have to have a certain level of education to even understand it, but I also like the fact that your DD is wearing it.
Mmmmmm..... cinnamon rolls. Star Wars' answer to Princess hair adornement.
I can give her the benefit of the doubt... but the food better be good.
Not many littles don't like noodles.
Love it!Sure. No biggie. We were all there at one point in our lives.
Wow. 20/20 hindsight, but...
"Ha, ha! Hey! You know what else is funny? Get your manager here right now, okay? And what's really going to suck for you is that I know we have a toddler and we know he makes a mess... which is why we tip so well. Want to laugh some more when you find out how much we're going to tip you?"
My God. I had no idea people like that still existed.
Strike three.
Normally I'd be happy with that, but...
... well, sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.
Or mediocre thing, as the case may be.
This is a universal truism.
Well, that's a nice little treat!
Sounds like the perfect end to a pretty darned good Father's Day!
:
wasnotafan
All that fresh air over the years has done me good
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2010
Chapter 9: Hey, Joe! Butch-a He Say He Wants-a Two Spaghetti Speciale, Heavy on the Meats-a Ball.
We took our time walking back to the car. Along the way, we found that even God Himself couldn’t resist planting a Hidden Mickey in the park.
....
Excellent. Note to self...skip Pasta Jay's if I am ever in Moab
afwdwfan
DIS Dad #460
- Joined
- Apr 23, 2010
Sounds great to me! I mean, the bread is only slightly stale, after all.
Hey!!! He can walk!!!
Beautiful pictures. Thank you for risking life and limb to get them.
And another fantastic family picture! This one including Drew for once! If you could have found someone to take this so that Julie could be in it, this would be definite Christmas card material.Once Julie saw that I wasn’t going to fall to my death, she took the camera back so we could prove to future generations that we had actually visited this place.
I agree with Glenn. Definitely more of a hidden Oswald.
Amazing the things someone so little can do.
Never forget the most important rule of parenting. Don't wake a sleeping toddler. Wow... maybe you should have sort-of-tipped-but-not-really.
We have a server like this at a local Mexican place. The guy is just an ******. I think the guy hates kids, and while he never says anything, you can tell with his body language and the way he talks to us/them. DW always asks to sit in another section when he's working. I, personally, like to sit in his section just because I know it drives him nuts when our kids spill a little bit of rice on the floor. Heck, occasionally dad gets in on the fun too.
Sorry it disappointed.
Hey, he's already proven that he can make a hike. The free ride ends now!
franandaj
I'm so happy, I could BOUNCE!
- Joined
- Nov 15, 2009
Hmmm... How interesting. I would have never believed that if you didn't have pictures!
Well, he can walk. Free pass over.
Very pretty!
Nice picture!
I definitely think it's an Oswald!
I'm sure the other visitors appreciated that.
I like the photos better than the story!
Sounds pretty darned rude.
I have that same standard of a chicken parm, and swimming in sauce is not what I want. At. All.
Good for you! Way to live in the moment!
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