Slick Rock Country and the Grand Colorado - A Guest Blog by Noreen and Len

“Alone at last!” Probably Tammy, Shawn and the boys words after more than a month of company and pretty frenetic activity. Now they can slow down a bit and start enjoying things at their own pace.

It has been a grand trip and we have certainly all enjoyed the sights and the company. I’m very glad we made the decision to share this part of their journey. When Len and I were here last spring, we said that the Colorado Plateau was the area that we wanted to experience with them. …and experience it- we have, as you could probably tell from Kim’s, Annette’s and Cassandra’s blogs.

Our final days have been spent in Moab and we were pleased to finally get the heat that everyone, but me has been craving. Kim has finally put on shorts and our comforters are packed away.

On Monday, it was Braedon’s 11th birthday and he got to choose the activity. He chose the pool for most of the day, where he practiced with his new underwater camera. Then, he, Riley, Cassandra and Tammy went on a 3 hr horse back tour into the Colorado Canyon. The boys had ridden previously and they did very well. It was Cassandra’s first experience and as they headed up the rocky trail, she was having second thoughts. Soon, she was feeling pretty comfortable and did an awesome job. After the horseback ride, we had Braedon’s birthday dinner and a great ice-cream cake.


On Wednesday, I was able to cross an item from my bucket list – rafting the Colorado River. We all, (including Annette, who had to be persuaded) went on an all day rafting and inflatable kayaking excursion. We travelled fourteen miles, did seven rapids of differing sizes and had a wonderful barbecue lunch at the same dude ranch where Tammy and the kids had done horseback riding. Kim, Riley, Tammy, Braedon and Shawn took turns in the kayaks, while the rest of us were in the raft. Shawn dumped the kayak once with Braedon in it and that was the end for him. Cassandra was even persuaded to go in the kayak near the end of the day. It was a wonderful experience for all with our energetic guide named Kenna.

Thursday dawned very hot and the plan for the day was the Fiery Furnace hike in Arches National Park. This is an area of fins and canyons with no trails. The only way to see it is by ranger led tour. Once you start the tour, there is no turning back so I decided to forego this hike, as climbing rocks, using arms and legs to boost yourself up etc. is not my strong suit. It was very cool in the amongst the rocks. Len says they were very numerous, with tight crevices, ascending and descending, that required a lot of shoulder and footwork. The group came back very hot and tired and after a little more exploring of some Arches, the pool was very welcome. We finished our day with a lovely Mexican dinner on our final evening together.

Friday, our last day, we quickly packed up and headed North about 10 miles to the bike trails. The plan was for everyone but Annette and I to test out the Slick Rock trails. In the end, only Shawn, Kim and Riley enjoyed the challenge of those trails while Annette, Len, Cassandra and I did the extremely hard downhill trail. (HA-HA) Tammy and Braedon played sick in order to avoid both. (Just kidding, they both had colds and needed a rest!)

We then headed to Green River State Park to wile away the time until the sad leave- taking of Kim, Annette and Cassandra by bus (which was an 1 ½ late) to Las Vegas where they were going to catch their flight home. We then spent a nice evening teaching the boys how to play euchre. They both did very well.

Tomorrow will be our leave-taking from them, They will go west and we will go east and not see each other till August. We will miss you and have enjoyed the time we spent together.

Len and Noreen