Truly Get Away from it All: Unique Ways to Explore Moab, Utah

Moab, Utah is known as one of America’s greatest (and most remote) natural playgrounds. Here beyond the limited network of roads which generally keep to the perimeter is the true wilderness of two national parks, Arches and Canyonlands, plus Utah’s Dead Horse Point State Park. Escapists can immerse themselves for days at a time in these backcountry regions with the proper equipment and guidance from the staff at Moab Adventure Center, the region’s go-to source for outdoor adventure. They offer a variety of ways to experience the parks that are suitable for all ages and levels of fitness. For active adventurers, fat tire mountain biking is a great way to fathom the mysteries of millennia ensconced in the iconic red rocks that symbolize the area’s parks. Those new to mountain biking may opt for the Courthouse Loop trail with commanding views into Arches National Park ($95 for age 5+).  The Intrepid Trail inside Dead Horse Point State Park is one of Moab's newest routes and features countless vistas of the Colorado River and Canyonlands National Park ($95 for age 12+). One way to explore Arches National Park is on a guided hike into the maze-like Fiery Furnace (Adult: $89, Youth 5-15: $67). Best accessed in the company of an experienced guide, this hike twists and turns among contorted orange-tan fins, towers, spires and arches. Moab Adventure Center guides lead two-hour hikes in this trackless area, pointing out hidden attractions such as Surprise and Twin Arches. Although the hike is moderately strenuous in places, it can be enjoyed by anyone in reasonably good physical condition.  “But when it comes to pockets of true isolation, Canyonlands is it,” says Pearce. “For example, to get to the park’s Maze District, most people take a long, arduous hike following a long dusty drive to the trailhead. However, by raft on a four-day Cataract Canyon trip (Adult: $1395, Youth 10-15: $1045), you can access a site in the Maze called The Doll House via a scenic hike from the river. The trail is steep, climbing over 1,000 feet from the river to the top of the canyon, but certainly beats the 7.5 hour drive from Moab to get to this location.” When it comes to exploring Canyonlands, visitors should keep in mind that in this wilderness of stone there are no roads that link from one “district” or iconic point to another. Although these points may appear close on a map, the distances are between two to six hours by car. For this reason, most visitors find it impractical to visit more than one area in a single trip. One solution is a scenic flyover based out of Moab (tours start at Adult: $123, Youth 3-15: $123, 2 & Under: Free). In a high-wing Cessna aircraft equipped with voice-activated headphones passengers enjoy conversations with the pilot who is also the tour guide. Everyone has a window seat to take in views of Arches, Canyonlands or Monument Valley, depending upon the tour. The pilot will describe the geology and dynamics of the Colorado River and Green River, the Island in the Sky, and the rugged Maze and Needles Districts of Canyonlands, the Windows of Arches and more. Moab Adventure Center can also arrange for a sunrise hot air balloon flight over the Moab backcountry. Flights last about an hour and are priced at $300 for participants age 6 and up

5 Genuine places to take your children - The ones the theme parks mimic

Neuschwanstein Castle (Wikimedia Commons)

The more I read popular travel articles, the more I realize that families are flocking to theme parks, theme cruises and attractions that are designed to thrill, to serve the needs of families but are not at all genuine representations of life. Are our children vacationing at candy-coated experiences that keep them from exploring the real world. What if we took them to the places the theme parks only mimic?

There is so much more out there. There are real holiday lights, nature shows in the real woods, historic castles and more. Consider switching to reality with your family you'll not be sorry!

Here are some real places that have been mimicked by the theme parks:

The Castles of Germany: Every little girl thinks of Disney's Sleeping Beauty Castle when dreaming of being a princess. But there is a real castle that was inspiration for the fake castle. Sleeping Beauty Castle opened on July 17, 1955. The castle's design was based on that of Neuschwanstein, a real Bavarian castle built by King Ludwig II. Seven weeks after the death of King Ludwig II in 1886, the castle was opened to the public.

The castle is a favorite of families. The children will be entranced at the scale of the castle built on steep cliffs and the lavish appointments. The castle website has some fun games for children.

There are castles to visit throughout Germany. Another way of enjoying the castles of Germany is to take a Rhine River cruise which can be done in a day-long sightseeing cruise or a more elaborate vacation cruise. A very entrancing time to see the castles along the Rhine River is during the burning of the Rhine event named "The Rhine in Flames." You'll see fireworks over the castles and lighting displays.

Cruise Among Pods of Orca: The first time you see groups of Orca (Killer Whales) in the open waters, you'll wonder how theme parks can ethically keep these beautiful animals confined. If you talk to the folks at Sea World, for example, you'll hear that the animals they have are not releasable and therefore have the best and safest home possible.

Resident Orca Pod (Bluewater Adventures)

But what about the children? Wouldn't it be nice for them to learn about Orca, see them working together to feed on a school of fish and then travel gleefully for miles as a family group (pod)? Orca are very curious and have been known to approach a boat to have a look at the people who are watching them!

You can have a real Orca experience by taking a day trip in the San Juan Islands or a longer trip with a naturalist on board with a company like Bluewater Adventures. Their Northern Vancouver Island trip features encounters with Orca. "Johnstone Strait is the best place in the world to see orcas / killer whales. Visit Alert Bay and Village Island, see diverse marine mammals and view grizzly bears up Knight Inlet! Departs: Port Hardy, BC / Port McNeill, BC."

Bluewater Adventures offers a school program where children can learn about biology and the teamwork involved and sailing the 68 foot ketches.

Snorkel the Reefs: Aquariums are great places to see fish and coral reef life, but wouldn't it be wonderful to expose your children to the real thing? Snorkeling is done in shallow waters and can be an exciting experience for children.

Take your snorkel and fins to Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve  on Oahu, Hawaii. Or stay at the beach in the Bahamas and pick up starfish and spend an afternoon exploring the reef life.

Farolito Walk (Copyright Elizabeth Rose)

Christmas in New Mexico: You can drive your kids around a commercial lights display or participate in historic traditions in the 400 year old town of Santa Fe, New Mexico. Christmas in Santa Fe is both historic and very real. Traditions like The Posadas and the Christmas Eve Farolito Walk will entrance children.

Imagine the sight of bonfires and thousands of candle-lighted bags lining the streets and shops of Canyon Road. Walkers sing Christmas Carols as they walk through this beautiful village. If you are lucky you will be showered with a little snow as you walk. Stop for hot chocolate and stand around a bonfire with other families and smell the pinon burning. It will be a Christmas to remember.

Young Dancer (Copyright Elizabeth Rose)

Visit and Learn about Real Native Americans: In Gallup, New Mexico, August is time for the Inter-tribal Ceremonial. This is not an "Indian show." It is a real gathering of local Native Americans... the Hopi, Navajo, Apache and Pueblo people.

You'll experience tribal ceremonial dances, see horno bread baked in outdoor ovens, indoor and outdoor arts and crafts markets, all Indian rodeo, a world class juried art show, opportunities to buy authentic Native American art and jewelry, parades, Native American foods, a ceremonial queen contest, and crafts demonstrations.

Your children can have mutton stew and frybread cooked by a Navajo family. Thursday night they can stand shoulder to shoulder with Native American children and watch the local groups (many in traditional dress) parade through downtown Gallup.

Just outside Gallup, is one of the most culturally-intact pueblos in the Southwest.... Zuni Pueblo. You can drive a half hour from Gallup and sign up for a tour of the old village and hear what happened when the Spanish came or see the beautiful traditional Zuni murals in the now de-commissioned Catholic mission church. A visit to Zuni will be an eye-opener for your family.

Give Your Children the Gift of Travel
Yes, travel is expensive but tickets to those theme parks can add up too! A family trip to a National Park, historic site or cultural event, can make memories for your children. While planning will take a bit more work than signing up for a package deal to a "plastic" made-for-children park, they will grow and gain knowledge because of the experience.

More Information
Travel with KIds Vacation Ideas

Grounded Again: Why a Travel Writer doesn't want to Fly

Enjoying the clouds of northern New Mexico from the ground!

Each time I have one of these experiences, I swear off flying. Now don't get me wrong, I love Southwest Airlines. But stormy skies, both from New Mexico to Florida and return, coupled with rude passengers, led me once again to ground myself.

I won't bore you with the TSA process. Enough said in previous rants about disrobing only to be forced into a scanner that could see everything anyway!

Cattle Call
At some point in my life, I realized that I could no longer lift a full carry-on into the overhead bin without bopping a fellow passenger on the head. I put most of my travel clothing into my checked bag (Southwest doesn't charge for either of two checked bags) and carried on my purse and computer... that's all.

So when we lined up for the usual cattle call, I looked around. Passengers were wheeling elephant-sized bags, close to exploding garment bags, strollers and carrying huge purses. And two of those, they believed, counted as their carry-on luggage. There was so much luggage going into that plane that it was difficult to get in line!

Along with the unruly toddlers, tired moms and huge guys with huger carry-on luggage there were those important cell phone calls that we all had to listen to: "Mary, I swear he was so drunk I couldn't get him up this morning... I was all... John... wake up you b_____d!" "Yes, tell the staff to draw up a contract and fax it to me in Houston... and I expect it when I land." "Oh really... he said that?" "Well, I'm at the airport now in line but last night I puked my guts out so I'm not feeling all that great."

You get the drift... TMI!

Finding a Seat
Armed with my A boarding pass. I knew I'd find a window seat fairly easily. But it wasn't until we all waited for those women my age to find kindly assistance jamming their full, and very heavy carry-on luggage into the overhead bins. I quickly scanned the seats to see where the children were sitting and found what I hoped was a quiet aisle in the plane. I sat down to survey the continuing mass of people looking for places to stow their household goods. Well, that's what it looked like anyway.

The Flight
I watched out the window during the smooth take-off and soon noticed some clouds were building. I also noticed the associated turbulence and was rather happy for the short stop in Houston. Ahh land... and muggy land at that! Soon, after enduring yet another cattle call I boarded the flight to Florida and hoped that we would leave the storms behind.

A group of giggly young Texas girls got on and seated themselves behind me. They were busily finishing what seemed to be inane phone conversations. I was tired and had hoped for a nap. But no, they spent the entire flight getting to know each other, commenting on what brand they were wearing and continuing a three-way inane conversation. Given their mentions of college I surmised that they were not pre-teen girls after all. But the conversation sure fooled me!

And wait... there's more! Read Irene Levine's article on inflight nuisances.

Diversion #1
As the pilot kept skirting the building cloud formations and the young women chatted on... and ... on, it got rather turbulent. I couldn't tell whether or not the plane was making a beeline for Florida or not. As the landing time came closer and closer, the plane wasn't descending. I should have known.

When we did land and I wearily disembarked, a half hour late, my son, a private pilot, met me and showed me on his iPhone the route my plane had taken. It had been diverted way north in order to avoid storms. He knew I would be late. I had no clue. But, I was happy to be on the ground and heading home with my family for a visit. That night it rained but I was safely on the ground and sleeping well in the guest room.

Diversion #2
After an enjoyable visit with my family and a farewell luncheon dockside at the Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant, it was off to the airport. I was certain that the tough flying was behind me. I hadn't checked the weather although I did hear something about winds in Albuquerque where I was headed.

What ensued was yet another storm-filled turbulent experience. This one was laden with danger but our Southwest pilots knew just how to handle the situations as they arose. We ended up circling Albuquerque which was filled with dangerous winds and dust storms, turning suddenly and heading back to Texas through a hail storm. (I've never experienced icing on the engines!). I shared the entire scary tale in my article High winds divert flights from Albuquerque Sunport: The experience in the air.

Grounded
So I have indeed grounded myself. As I gaze at the building clouds over northern New Mexico I see only beauty. As storms hover overhead, I am happy just to enjoy them and am thankful, for now, that I am not flying.

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