1,036.4 miles. That's the distance between Durango, CO and Scotts Valley, California. That's the distance that I drove to come home from college for the summer. I was alone, and honestly, I enjoy traveling alone. This is a brief story about the first portion of that early summer road trip.
157.9 Miles. That's not even a dent in overall distance. However, that’s the distance to the quirky town of Moab, Utah. When I think of Utah, I think of cult-like religion, fun stopping liquor laws, and barren desert. I have not spend a great deal of time in Utah, but I can tell you that the state offers much more than the above list. Sandstone Canyons, snow covered peaks, and a plethora of national parks, to name a few.
Moab is located North West of Durango, So I jumped on the change to swing through on my way to California. This being my first time there, I was excited to check out one of the most famed mountain bike destinations in the world. The town of Moab thrives on tourism dollars, however, this is not your typical tourist town. The highway runs right through town, with sandstone cliffs keeping watch overhead. You don't find luxurious all-inclusive resorts here. In fact, you probably have to be a bit crazy to visit Moab.
Moab doesn't attract the massage and cucumber facial crowd, you have to work for your fun. Hiking, off-roading and mountain biking by day-- food and drink by night. My kinda party!
I arrived on a rainy afternoon and opted not to go for a ride as I had planned. I instead wandered through town and got a taste of what this Utah town was all about. The next morning was an early wake up for my original intent in visiting.
The Whole Enchilada is the most famous of the numerous trail systems in Moab. If you classify yourself as a "mountain biker", you have heard of this trail. The route starts at 11,000 feet in the La Sal Mountains and finishes 30 miles later back in town. Being early in the season, my goal was to ride as much of the route as possible. I ended up riding the final sector, Porcupine Rim Trail.
About 15 of us piled into a van, gear in hand. The shuttle company drove us to the top, and we were pedaling into the Utah backcountry shortly thereafter. The trail opens with a medium sized climb over slabs of rock, so the group separated. After cresting the peak, I was on my own all the way to town.
I got in about a two-hour ride that morning, and let me tell you: I had an ear to ear smile the entire way. Hoping my way from rock to rock, making my way down an entirely new landscape, I was at an all-time high. To call it excitement is an understatement.
As you make your way through town, the wide trail turns to a narrow trail along a cliff. I am in a state of complete focus. It feels weird to call it that, because my mind is racing with ideas. It is moments like this where I feel the most inspired. As I rode the bike path back to town, it started to rain.
I could only savor the town of Moab for less than 24 hours, however, I will be back very soon. This short visit embodies a life goal and philosophy of mine. Go out on an adventure and don't look back.
Soon I will enjoy another rainy day in Moab, and soon I will find myself in many more towns just like it. I'm going and not looking back.
