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Trip Report - Utah 2008 - Moab to Bryce Canyon

Trip Report - Utah 2008 - Moab to Bryce Canyon

Old Jun 7th, 2008, 06:01 AM
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Myer - based on your trip report just changed my upcoming reservation in Moab to the Best Western Canyonlands. Taking my mother on a tour of Utah & Grand Canyon and had booked Holiday Inn Express but would much rather be near the center of town so we can walk to restaurants, etc. Thanks for the recommendation!
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 06:23 AM
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luvtravl,

Now the pressure is on me.

I vaguely remember passing the Holidy Inn Express. I believe in was a bit before the middle of town. Slightly closer to Arches but not much.

When I made my reservation at BW they asked me if I wanted first or second floor. First might be more convenient. Second may be quieter.

I don't see where either would be an issue.

I found the breakfast room (breakfast included) soemwhat small for the size of the place. One moorning there was a bus tour getting ready to check out and they used 3/4 of the breakfast space.

Now I'm nit-picking. Very convenient location.
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 06:24 AM
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luvtravel,

Good upgrade! You will be very glad. Have fun!
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 06:58 AM
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And now for an amazing bonus for those who read this.

The rock climbers we saw at Fisher Towers went back again the next day. This time they brought with a camera.

These were sent to me.

http://www.travelwalks.com/climbers/100_0293_tw.jpg

http://www.travelwalks.com/climbers/100_0294_tw.jpg

http://www.travelwalks.com/climbers/100_0302_tw.jpg

http://www.travelwalks.com/climbers/100_0311_tw.jpg

I'm sure I wouldn't do that!!!
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 07:21 AM
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No pressure Myer! My husband and I were in Moab last May and stayed at Dreamkeeper. With my mom though we decided on a hotel. She has had both knees replaced and while she gets around okay I don't see her walking from Holiday Inn to middle of town. Rather than have to park somewhere I like the idea of walking from the hotel to restaurants. Best Western sounds good. I'm sure either will be fine.
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 08:24 AM
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We tried to get a room at the BW in Moab but they were full. A lot of the motels there are right on the main street. The BW extends back a long ways so request a room towards the rear of the complex. It will be quieter.

We did get a room at the Red Rock Lodge but only for one night. The whole town seemed sold out for Friday thru Sunday. Again, this was Memorial Day Weekend. The Red Rock is very serviceable, quiet, and off the main drag. It's about half the price of the BW.

ncounty,

We prefer to camp and only stayed in the motel because we couldn't get into the Arches campground and the ones up along the Colorado didn't look that inviting in the rain. So, because of the storm, we experienced Moab in the 60's. We would have preferred it to be in the 90's especially when camping. I was there in June two years ago and the weather was perfect. 90's in the day and '70s at night. The National Parks next to Moab are at a higher elevation and are never really too hot. For me, that area is best in summer.
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 11:43 AM
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Thanks Utahtea and supercilious.... we will try to get to Bryce and shoot for Moab at a cooler time. We wilt in the heat, .

Any one up for a GTG in Park City June 15th? Dayle, BarbaraS and all other Utah fodorites?
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 12:10 PM
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We are planning a family trip for this month to this area. We have 9 days available. We are trying to choose between the North (Glacier National Park, Yellowstone, Bryce) or South (Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, Yellowstone). We were told that you can't do both in 9 days (choice seems to be between Montana and Grand Canyon). Suggestions? Also RV or not to RV?
Thanks
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 12:19 PM
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I would say it would be hard to get reservations for this month for Yellowstone if you are wanting to stay in the park. Would also be hard to get reservations at Grand Canyon. Staying outside of the park might mean a very long drive.
You could probably find somewhere in Moab and then somewhere in Springdale. But again, probably not in the park. Those need to be done 6 months and preferably a year in advance.


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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 12:21 PM
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I would consider the rock climbing, but I would have to think about it first. I think I would be uncomfortable if the wind were blowing much at all. It appears they are pretty darn high up. I wonder who put the safety on the top and I wonder if it stays there permanently for future climbers, or just how that works.
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 04:16 PM
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spiro,

I thought about that as well and spoke with a few people.

It appears you don't trust what anybody else leaves behind. You do you own.

If you want to see how high up they are, go thru my trip photos and you'll see it from the bottom up. Must be close to a thoudanf feet up.

That last rock, the Corkscrew looks to be about 40 feet itself. That's about 4 stories just for that "little" rock!!!!

It must be windy up there all the time.

It was amazing to see them climb it.

That's when I wished I had more of a zoom lens rather than a regular walkaround lens.
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 05:16 PM
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ishatafef,

I replied to your thread http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35135874

Utahtea
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Old Jun 7th, 2008, 09:12 PM
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Thank you for your responses
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Old Jun 12th, 2008, 07:07 PM
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In defense of the Boulder Mountain Lodge Restaurant....

1. This place is REMOTE--the road between Escalante and Boulder did not exist until the last 50 years or so. That was the last place in the US to get its mail by mule train!!! So it is not like a food service truck makes the rounds there--and if it does, it costs alot. It is not cheap to set up a really good restaurant in a place that is that removed and inconvenient to get to and that far away from a real grocery store.

2. Of course it is a restricted menu. The goal is to have only food from local sources. So depending on the season, that limits what is available. That also means that they don't go for the cheapest food sources--but to the best ones they can find locally.

3. One of the reasons this restaurant has even survived (the fight to be able to serve alcohol there was something else) is because the owners have worked hard to include the local communities in their effort...hiring Mormon wait staff and training them to know about wine by smell alone is one example. So they have the tough task of appealing to tourists while making a life in a very provincial region.

So there are many factors--most people figured they couldn't make it. It probably is over priced to what you find in other towns, cities, but the challenges with this location are many.

(and no, I don't have a financial interest in the restaurant nor am I a family member but I have done a lot of backpacking and service trips in this area)
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Old Jun 13th, 2008, 02:50 AM
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StantonHyde,

I was just giving my impressions.

I was amused by one thing you wrote.

Do they ask prospective employees their religion during the job interview ("hiring Mormon wait staff and training them to know about wine by smell alone is one example")?

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Old Jun 13th, 2008, 04:22 AM
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StantonHyde,
Great insight about Hell's Backbone Grill. My husband and I really love the place and appreciate the incredible effort that goes into making it special. We don't think it is particularly expensive considering where it is located and the quality of the food. We pay a lot more in our area and we are not in a big city.

A few years back, we bought the cookbook published by Hell's Backbone and it tells the story of the women's (owners) struggle to set up the restaurant and gain acceptance from the local folks. And now we have the recipe for their outstanding Spicy cowgirl meatloaf!! Good stuff.

I understand that we all have our own opinions and tastes, but it is also important to understand how remote this place is and how much work goes into making it possible. Every trip we make to southern Utah includes a meal at Hell's Backbone Grill.
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Old Jun 17th, 2008, 06:01 AM
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"Do they ask prospective employees their religion during the job interview ("hiring Mormon wait staff and training them to know about wine by smell alone is one example")?"

No need....99.9% of the locals are Mormon.
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Old Oct 16th, 2008, 11:37 AM
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Myer, I took a last minute trip to the Escalante-Moab area and found your report most helpful (as well as the pictures). Topping for anyone else visiting soon.
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Old Oct 16th, 2008, 01:15 PM
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Thank you so much, mlgb!
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Old Oct 17th, 2008, 06:32 AM
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mlgb,

I'm glad my report and photos were helpful.
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