Our Backyard Wilderness

Look at a large scale map of Moab. Within two hours of where I call home, are such world-renowned destinations as Arches National Park, Canyonlands, Cedar Mesa, the Porcupine Rim, and many other places.

But there’s are a few spots on the map that are looked over.  They are not as dramatic, no distinguishing factors to make them “Instagramable,” and they seldom (ever?) get talked about in most #vanlife YouTube videos.

These areas are mainly local areas. A place for people like Joan and myself to go hiking close by at times. Where previous generations of locals raised livestock, and where even more ancient generations passed on their way from the Moab valley to the La Sal Mountains and back.

We drove twenty-minutes away from our home and slept five miles away from where I am typing.

Exploring this canyon system means above rim walks, following the system further into the mountains, and always looking at maps and seeing what else we can do here, all from so close to our home.

We enjoy the warm sun in an alcove of red rock.  And enjoy a hot drink nestled in our down. And then get lulled to sleep by the sound of rain on our shelter.

PCO Joan.

We don’t need the grand or majestic Instagram worthy places.

We need the quiet, the beautiful, and the remote feeling places in our lives.

Areas where we can backpack, feel immersed in wildness if not true wilderness, and not be very far from our home. And the time in which to enjoy it all.

We are not rich by the previous life standards we once lived.  But we are abundant in the life we created for ourselves here. And look forward to increasing that type of wealth with every experience; every time slept under Moab’s skies, with each hike we take, and every time we explore more of our backyard wild places.