Sometimes the best plans are the ones you scale back.
Joan and I originally had our sights set on a longer weekend in the San Juans, but when the forecast called for rain and the trave time started looking less appealing, we pivoted to something closer: a quick overnight in the La Sals.
And honestly? It worked out better than expected.
We love the San Juans but it can get a tad busy (!) on holidays weekends.
Instead, we had a peaceful camp (a favorite one!) , caught the wildflowers in bloom, and enjoyed some quiet trails to ourselves. We enjoyed the cool mountain air, good food, and no stress on a holiday weekend. We had less driving, fewer people, and a reminder of how much our local mountains add to our daily life.
On the holiday itself we left the mountains and spent time on the Colorado.
The crew. From Sharon.
For the 4th, Joan and I joined friends for a packrafting float of about eight miles.
Sharon cooordinated a birthday celebration for herself and it was a perfect way to spend the holiday.
The temps weren’t too hot versus today, the water not too cold, and good company.
Desert bighorn. Alas, I only had my phone.
The kind of day that reminded Joan and I why we continue to choose to make Moab our home..
Not the most epic set of trips.
Sometimes it’s enough to walk among wildflowers, cook dinner at 10,000 feet in the mountains, or paddle along the Colorado River.
It all added up to a quiet reset and what we needed.