Summer has arrived at condo in Moab ! This means daytime temperatures in the mid-90s or even higher with lots of sunshine.  River rafting becomes a primary focus of recreation this time of year.  But with the ever present possibility of thunderstorms especially in the afternoon it pays to keep an eye on the sky.  Even storms taking place 40 miles away can cause flash flooding while you’re basking under sunny skies.

The terrain of the desert Southwest can funnel copious amounts of water down canyons and dry washes in a very short amount of time.  As you look around the topography near the condo in Moab you’ll see evidence of storm runoff.  As you drive through Arches and Canyonlands National Parks you’ll pass dozens of dry washes and dried up streambeds.

These areas can quickly turn into a raging torrent in a very short time.  If you see or hear a thunderstorm in the distance is important to make your way to higher ground.  Don’t wait until it’s too late.  By the time you can see the water coming it will be impossible to get out of the way.

Now don’t let all of this talk fright you from enjoying a nice stay at the condo in Moab.  The beautiful summer days are a great time to join outdoor recreation especially if you get started early in the morning.  With the sun high in the sky and not a lot of shady areas in this part of the world keeping cool is a high priority.

We provide all of our guests at the condo in Moab with free water bottles that you can take home with you.  Fill them up the night before and put them in the refrigerator so they will be ready to go.  Make sure that you have extra water either in a cooler in the car or in your pack if you are hiking or cycling.  Take frequent breaks, don’t overheat and make sure you stay fully hydrated by drinking at least 2 to 4 quarts each day.

Things are really hopping at the condo in Moab!  There are only 5 nights available during May and 8 nights open in June.  Both Arches and Canyonlands National Parks enjoy their peak visitor season this time of year.  The long sunny days and pleasantly cool nights make this a wonderful time to stay at the condo in Moab and enjoy the beautiful red rock scenery.

It was a really big winter in the mountains all across the Western US.  As a result, river flows are much higher than normal.  This can mean several different things depending on which river you plan to ride and what sections you might be considering.

In some places the white water will be extreme with rapids running higher and faster than usual.  However, some locations could find that the water level is so high that the rapids will have temporarily disappeared and will reemerge when the water level drops.  And there will be occasional stretches that are completely impassable until water levels return to normal.

Unless you live in the Canyonlands area (or are a “river rat”) it just makes sense to take a guided trip whenever you venture out.  Conditions change not just year-to-year but also week to week depending on snow melt and other factors.  There is no substitute for local knowledge when it comes to safety and enjoyment on the Green, Colorado, Gunnison and other rivers in this part of the world.

Whether you are in a raft, canoe, kayak or any other type of floating object it just makes sense to wear a life jacket.  Even the greatest swimmers in the world are no match for the powerful rapids and currents.  If you do find yourself thrown overboard, point your feet downstream.  Try to get back to your watercraft ASAP.

If you can’t return to your watercraft then try to angle for the shore where you can exit the river safely.  Be careful of logs and other debris floating in the water.  It’s easy to get tangled up in branches and snags along the shoreline.

Have fun, be safe and you’ll come back for another stay at the condo in Moab!

It’s that time of year at the Moab condo when thunderstorms can pop up unexpectedly.  This tends to occur more often in the afternoon.  But surprises can happen any time and you don’t want to get caught in a flash flood.

Even if the nearest thunderclouds are 20 miles away that does not mean the dry wash you are walking in is necessarily safe.  Water can move very swiftly through the canyons.  So, it’s important to always check the weather forecast and keep an eye on the sky.  We want everyone who stays at the Moab condo to have a great time and safe journey.

Here is the latest weather report from the National Weather Service on Thursday morning May 2.

Hazardous Weather Outlook

National Weather Service Grand Junction CO

527 AM MDT Thu May 2 2019

COZ001>014-017>023-UTZ022>025-027>029-031130-

Lower Yampa River Basin-Central Yampa River Basin-

Roan and Tavaputs Plateaus-Elkhead and Park Mountains-

Upper Yampa River Basin-Grand Valley-Debeque to Silt Corridor-

Central Colorado River Basin-Grand and Battlement Mesas-

Gore and Elk Mountains/Central Mountain Valleys-

Central Gunnison and Uncompahgre River Basin-

West Elk and Sawatch Mountains-Flat Tops-

Upper Gunnison River Valley-Uncompahgre Plateau and Dallas Divide-

Northwest San Juan Mountains-Southwest San Juan Mountains-

Paradox Valley/Lower Dolores River-

Four Corners/Upper Dolores River-Animas River Basin-

San Juan River Basin-Southeast Utah-Eastern Uinta Mountains-

Eastern Uinta Basin-Tavaputs Plateau- Arches /Grand Flat-

La Sal and Abajo Mountains-Canyonlands/Natural Bridges-

527 AM MDT Thu May 2 2019

This hazardous weather outlook is for eastern Utah and western

Colorado.

.DAY ONE…Today and Tonight

A few showers and thunderstorms will fire this afternoon, mainly

over the higher terrain. A few cells may drift into adjacent

valleys towards the late afternoon hours. Some small hail and

gusty outflow winds are the biggest concerns from any storms that

form. Convection will die down quickly after sunset giving way to

a tranquil, albeit, cold overnight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN…Friday through Wednesday

Friday will be dry but moisture returns Saturday into much of next

week as another system moves in from the west. Once that system

leaves, a trough will drop down from the northwest bringing more

precipitation to the region. Much of next week looks unsettled.

If you do run into unpredictable weather the Moab condo is a great retreat.  Every now and then mother nature will make us head indoors and wait out a thunderstorm.

The Moab condo will be getting a few improvements in the near future. New downward facing light fixtures have been ordered for the master bathroom and the guest bathroom upstairs.  These will provide much better lighting and less glare.  Also on the way are beautiful plush Liz Claiborne towels.  It’s important that all guests enjoy a quality experience whether you are taking in the beautiful scenery or stepping out of the shower.

Speaking of upgrades, The Rim Village Vista Moab condo development has seen some enhancements.  The new swimming pool is going in and a 2^nd basketball hoop and backboard were added.  There is also a play area for children with a slide and other activities.

Whenever you stay at the Moab condo there will always be plenty to do both indoors and out.  All 3 bedrooms plus the living room have large, flat screen TVs.  You can enjoy dozens of cable TV channels or just soak up the beautiful view out the picture window.

However, this time of year you might as well enjoy the stunning scenery and the gorgeous weather!  The days are getting longer with sunset around 8:15 PM or later.  River rafting season will be kicking off soon.  Water levels could be a little bit higher than usual this year so plan accordingly.

There are lots of great rafting trips that you can take with the Moab condo as your home base.  Both of the Green River and the Colorado River offer excellent opportunities to get on the water and ride the rapids.  It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a gentle float or that big-time adrenaline rush.  The local rafting companies have you covered.

You might even wish to consider coming back in July or August when the warmer temperatures make time on the river even more enjoyable.  River rafting trips at Moab Adventure Center come in all sizes from a one-day trip to 14 day journeys into the Grand Canyon.  Make sure you plan ahead as the most popular trips get booked up well in advance.

It’s a huge week at the condo in Moab!  What is referred to casually as Jeep Week among the locals is actually a Jeep Safari that began in 1967.  The original sponsor was the Moab Chamber of Commerce. The very 1st trail was “Behind the Rocks Trail” (according to legend the road was made by a BLM employee and equipment.)  The “Moab Rim” ride was then added the next year.

What started out as a small local event has grown into an entire week of festivities.  As I was driving out of town last Saturday literally thousands of people were pouring in.  I saw RVs towing trailers with Jeep’s on them.  There were Jeep’s towing camper trailers to sleep in.  Some enormous SUVs were towing enclosed trailers that had one or two off-road vehicles inside.

Every shape and size of Jeep, ATV and OHV was making a veritable parade down Highway 191.  The epicenter of activity is located very close to the condo in Moab at the Spanish Trail Arena.  This facility has plenty of room to handle the registration, raffle, barbecue dinner for the Boy Scouts along with a vendor exposition.  No longer a handful of locals romping in the desert in their OHVs; this is a world-renowned event!

Needless to say the condo in Moab was booked all week and we only have 3 open nights remaining in April; arrival 4/21 – depart 4/24.  In May availability is limited to the following nights: 14, 15, 29, 30, 31.  Since April through June is the peak time during the 1st half of the year, we recommend making reservations as far in advance as possible.

If you missed Jeep Week there is another big event October 24 – 26.  The 19^th annual Jeep Jamboree is a fun event during a very pleasant time of the year. 

During my recent visit to the condo in Moab I did a side trip to Natural Bridges National Monument, Valley of the Gods and Monument Valley.  The colors were spectacular although I did run into some snow flurries one morning on the way to Natural Bridges.  These are beautiful places with incredible rock formations that are rarely found anywhere on earth.  If you have time and the weather cooperates it’s definitely worthwhile to spend a day or 2 visiting these natural wonders.

If you decide to make an overnight trip of it I recommend staying at Goulding’s Lodge or The View hotel.  The former is located 1 mile from Highway 191 at the edge of Monument Valley.  The View is actually inside Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.  You’ll find the most amazing views along with a great restaurant, expansive gift shop and friendly staff.

It’s a rainy day at the condo in Moab.  So what kinds of activities are there to do when the weather is not conducive to mountain biking or hiking? 

Well for starters there are lots of shops and restaurants in town.  One of our favorites is Fiesta Mexicana located on Main Street in the heart of Moab.  The food is consistently good and the portions are generous. 

Today my friends and I had lunch there and enjoyed a delicious feast.  I advised my guests that it’s best to order one of the combination plates and share it between 2 people.  So we did and were very pleased with the results.  D and T enjoyed the camarones in the chile verde sauce while my friend and I shared a 3 item combo.  The chicken enchilada, taco, chile relleno along with rice and beans was very tasty and filled us up! As much as I like cooking at the condo in Moab having a meal out is fun every now and then!

The margaritas are a house specialty and they are enormous, too.  My guess is they are at least 14 ounces.  So, don’t let the $9.99 price tag seem high as it’s a bargain considering you’re really getting 2 drinks in one glass.  Just ask for 2 straws and share it with a friend.

Now about those other activities…  Main Street in Moab is lined on both sides with all types of retail stores, restaurants, adventure travel companies, etc.  The Visitor Center is a great place to start and gather some information. 

As you wander down Main Street be sure to stop in and visit some of the art galleries.  You’ll find Native American jewelry and crafts, southwest style art and knick-knacks galore.  The colors in the art work and jewelry are just stunning.  You don’t need to spend a ton of money to buy a keepsake that will trigger pleasant memories after you return home.

There’s also a movie theatre with 3 screens, the Moab Aquatic Center and the Museum of Moab.  After dinner treat yourself to some ice cream at the Moab Diner & Ice Cream Parlor – 189 South Main Street.

The condo in Moab is almost completely booked for the month of April.  The only open dates are for arrival on April 21 with departure on the morning of April 24.  During the month of May the only opening is arrival on May 14 with departure on May 16.

June is also filling up quickly at the condo in Moab.  Click Here to See the Availability

The weather has really improved during the past couple of weeks.  Daytime temperatures are now regularly in the 60s but the nights are still cool in the 30s and 40s.  Even though it doesn’t feel extremely warm yet make sure to wear plenty of sunblock. 

When visiting Arches and Canyonlands National Parks you’ll generally be between 5000 feet and 7000 feet in elevation.  With the Sun getting higher in the sky every day and the thinner atmosphere at these altitudes you can get sunburned in as little as 15 minutes.

The colors in the red rock scenery are exceptionally beautiful this time of year.  If you can catch sunrise or sunset the lower angle of the sun will make for truly exceptional photographs.  As we get closer to summertime and the sun moves up higher in the sky photos tend to wash out during the middle of the day.  You can still take great pictures with that beautiful clear blue sky in the background.  But the colors in the red rocks are not quite as vivid compared to when you have that lower angle of the sun earlier in the season.

There are many different ways to get to the condo in Moab.  While most people drive and bring their mountain bikes and other recreational assets, the Moab Airport is very convenient.  Planes connect directly to Salt Lake City and sometimes Denver or Phoenix.  Rental cars are generally available at the little airport.  While flying might seem expensive it can save a lot of travel time if you’re coming from California or other places on the West Coast.  And we all know time is money…

Visitors to the condo in Moab will want to be prepared for changeable weather this time of year.  Even though the days are getting longer and warmer there is still the potential for snow at the higher elevations in Canyonlands and Arches National Parks.  Moab itself is situated at a lower elevation and generally stays warmer.  We anticipate daytime highs in the 60s to low 70s with nighttime strapping into the 40s.

As the snow melts and the surrounding mountains it helps to increase the flows in all of the creeks and rivers.  Springtime is beautiful and the water can appear very refreshing on a warm day.  But be careful as creeks and rivers tend to be rather chilly this time of year.  Also, moving water can be stronger and swifter than it appears.  Never swim alone and use caution when crossing any body of water.

Wildflowers will start to appear over the next several weeks.  You won’t see endless meadows blooming like in the Sierras.  But scattered about especially in North facing or more shaded areas you will encounter the occasional profusion of color.  This fragile display of nature’s beauty is most prominent during the next couple of months before the summertime heat takes hold.

This is a wonderful time of year to go mountain biking.  The condo in Moab has an oversized two-car garage with plenty of room to store your bikes and all of your other gear.  The long pleasant days with moderate temperatures make for excellent writing conditions.  This year we are providing complementary water bottles to all of our guests at the condo in Moab.  Be sure to take one with you whenever you head out the door.

Don’t forget to use the discount card on the key ring when you go shopping at the City Market.  You’ll enjoy great savings throughout store!  If you don’t feel like cooking dinner in less than 5 minutes you can get to the Moab Brewery for tasty meals and delicious draft beer.

It’s a great time of year to be at the condo in Moab!  Temperatures will be warming up into the 60s with sunny skies for the week ahead.  The snow has melted off and the trails are readily accessible in Arches National Park.  You may still find some patches of snow here and there in Canyonlands National Park due to its higher elevation.

Be careful when driving in Canyonlands.  There are a few shaded spots on the north facing aspects of the road that can ice up overnight if temperatures should drop below freezing.  One of the things to remember about the month of March is that the weather can vary dramatically in this part of the world.  While we don’t usually get much snow this time of year it can still be pretty chilly first thing in the morning.

Regardless of the time of year that you visit the condo in Moab it’s always good to bring clothing that you can wear in layers.  Temperatures can vary by as much as 50° in the course of a single day.

Don’t forget the sunblock when you step out the door at the condo in Moab!  In this part of the world there is not a lot of natural shade and out on the trails the trees can be few and far between.  Even though it might not seem like you’re up at altitude it’s likely that you are going to be between 4500 and 6500 vertical feet in elevation when visiting both national parks.  Also, the surrounding mountains go up to over 11,000 feet. Anyone traveling in the backcountry needs to be prepared for gyrations in the weather.

If you are planning to visit Arches National Park please be aware that the best time to arrive at the entrance station is before 9 AM or after 4 PM.  The access road in and out of the park is essentially one lane in each direction although you will find a fair number of turnouts.  However, traffic entering the park can back up for quite a distance and you could wait for an hour or more.

At the condo in Moab Spring is right around the corner.  The days are getting longer and now that we are turning the clocks forward one hour it’ll be nice to have daylight during the evening hours.  Photographers really appreciate the low angle of the sun this time of year.   The colors in the red rock scenery are at their most brilliant right around sunrise and shortly before sunset.

Visitors to Arches National Park will find that some of the best opportunities for picture taking occur after 5 PM.  The way that this particular park is situated it catches the late afternoon sun lighting up many of the rock formations just before it drops below the horizon.  A couple of places that are worth the wait include the Fiery Furnace and Delicate Arch.  Both of these formations are situated in a way that the colors are most extraordinary under the setting sun.

It’s a short drive of about 15 minutes from Arches to the condo in Moab.  Once you enter the park you go up a few switchbacks before leveling out and the dramatic scenery begins.  Initially you’ll just see a lot of interesting rock formations.  However, once you go past the parking turn-out for Park Avenue and the Courthouse you’ll start to see the beautiful natural arch formations.

One of the great things about Arches National Park is that you have lots of turnouts and easily accessible parking close to the road.  There are a number of short hikes that you can do to get up close to many of the individual arches.  Picture taking without getting other people in your photos can be a bit of a challenge unless you arrive very early or stay until dark.    Since it’s a quick ride back to the condo in Moab after you leave Arches we recommend staying as late as possible to enjoy the last rays of sunlight.

During the busy season some of the smaller parking lots fill up quickly.  No worries, many people just hop out of their car for a quick view and a couple of pictures before heading on to the next stop.  However, it’s very important that you do not stop in the middle of the main park road or block the entrance to any turnouts or parking areas. 

If one of the viewpoints you wish to visit has every parking space filled just continue onto the next one and visit the places you miss on the way back.  The main road through Arches National Park goes in and out so it’s easy to stop and see anything that you bypassed initially.