The desert. It’s an environment that is unique in its own. Red sand, red rocks and red sunsets. The sun ignites the land that surrounds and warms you, welcoming you to come and stay for a while.
Your stay is filled with days full of adventure, activities, fun and discovery. Moab, Utah is the desert I love to escape to. Third year running, April comes around and everyone knows, you can find me in the desert.
Arches National Park
p: James Delaney
It’s a celebration each year. Birthdays, friendships, reunions; Moab is where my friends and I gather to escape the snowy mountains that we are all so familiar with. Soaking up the new, the sunshine and the experience. We may be going to the same location, but we get something different to return with each time.
The days started early and most nights ran late. Rising with the sun, stoke up a fire for cooking and watch the sunlight stretch across the canyons to engulf your whole body in its embrace. This is where life happens.
View to Delicate Arch
p: James Delaney
Delicate Arch, Arches Natiional Park
p: James Delaney
Precipice
p: James Delaney
While camping, you never go hungry. I swear I eat better out in the wilderness than I do at home with a full kitchen. Breakfast burritos, kabobs, beef tips, chili and, of course the staples: hot dogs and s’mores. Life is better outside.
Grill master
p: Bryan Cordero
Each day was born with new wonder, and adventure. I was able to take my new mountain bike out for a test drive. Slick rock is a different feel than the shaded, dirt trails of the Rocky Mountains. Speed is your friend and the laps you take through the detailed trail systems are technical.
Skinned p: Scott Schlegel
With the technicality comes mistakes. Ones you quickly learn from, but mistakes all the same.
The hot midday sun is pretty unforgiving in the dry, desert air so biking started early, but finished up just after 2pm with a quick, well deserved trip to the Moab Brewery.
The nights everyone would come back together and converse about their own personal treks of the day. Some went climbing, others, a casual hike through the canyons was enough. Beer and cocktails helped warm us up as the sun went down, and were accompanied by great music. The acoustics of the guitar and ukulele rang through the canyon rim, while everyone joined in with singing.
Canyon Rim
p: James Delaney
Story telling over the fire
p: Bryan Cordero
The morning began to find its routine, but we found a task for the day once the campsite was left behind. We were in need for a few things: a swimming hole, a cave and some wildlife.
It started with the geckos, too quick to catch but fun to spot. Hiking through the slick rock with the canyon walls separating us from the rest of the world sent us to the rare find of a water source. The boys showed off their agility with flips into the ice cold water, while the girls soaked up sun and drank up the beer.
It didn’t take long for our legs to get itching to continue down the trail and see what else this place had to offer. Climbing up rocks, sliding down sand and finding exactly what we were looking for. The cool shade of a cave.
Cave Dwellers
p: James Delaney
Watch your step! We unearthed this critter
p: James Delaney
The sun goes down quickly within the canyon so the hike out is fast. Dinner is made once again and devoured. The night takes over and we sit back, relax and enjoy what Mother Earth has set before us.
A hole in the rock
p: Matt Hines
p: Bryan Cordero
p: Matt Hines
Starry Night, Silent Night
p: Matt Hines
Crew
p: Bryan Cordero
Thumbs up, Birds
Words by: Kelley Wren
Photos Contributed
James Delaney: Jamer.d
Bryan Cordero
Carlo Constantino
Matt Hines
Scott Schlegel