Arches NP, Utah
Oh, for more time off from work! Munch Mix had halfheartedly lobbied to drive from Oregon to Moab, Utah. I insisted we fly. Besides, I got us a great deal on tickets between miles and a free-companion ticket voucher. There was too much to see and Munch Mix only had 10 days off. I did not want four of those days spent in transit! The plan was perfectly arranged: Munch Mix would arrive home from work about 3pm and we’d hop in the car and dart to prearranged long term parking. We would be shuttled to the airport from there–45 minutes to maybe 1:20 if the highway was busy. We would have more than two hours to check bags, clear security, eat some dinner and leisurely make our way to the boarding gate. Munch Mix arrived home from work and wanted to clean up and do a few things before we left. We had time. We hopped in the car about 3:45pm.
We drove into the parking lot. No, not long-term parking lot. I mean Highway 26. The highways were essentially not moving and it took well over two hours to make the 45 minute drive! Poor Munch Mix was white-knuckled by the time we arrived at the flag man with the STOP sign at the construction zone blocking the entry of the long-term parking. Eventually we got in, parked Munch Mix ‘s trusty old Nissan and the calm, friendly shuttle driver took it from there.
At the airport, we breezed through check in and security but only had time for a very quick bite to eat with limited food options. Bean burritos? You can get a quick, compact bean burrito on the way to your flight. Whose idea of a twisted joke is that? I got a small chef salad and Jason found a stir fry of some sort. Munch Mix mentioned between hurried mouthfuls that we should have driven. I gave him a sarcastic nod that said, “Yah. Sure. Right.” “No seriously. We’d be at least to Sisters by now and would not have dealt with that Portland highway zoo out there.” I’m not opposed to driving but I was so eager to share what I’d previously explored in Arches and Canyonlands with Munch Mix …and more excited that with him by my side, we would together explore much more than I’d ever seen before.
We boarded. The flight was peaceful and quick; about an hour and a half.We made out way to a hotel to sleep.
In the morning the best parts of the adventure would begin.
