If Moab’s thousands of acres of mountain biking and off-road trails are making you thirsty, there is a sanctuary nearby known as Moab Brewery. Besides serving as the home of Jeep Safari, Moab is quickly becoming known as the "mountain biking capital of North America"; and it's a well-known fact that mountain biking and craft beer go together like love and marriage. After … [Read more...]
Innovating Primitive – The World’s Greatest Flintknapper Lives in Castle Valley
When I learned that the man I had been tracking down to write about for the last six months was going to be at a “primitive skills gathering” just outside of Phoenix, I considered my own lifestyle: I had dozens of “things to do” on a list, but why don’t I just up and leave town for a few days to do exactly what I want? He was doing exactly what he wanted to do, why couldn’t I? … [Read more...]
Cataract Canyon – Taming the Wild Beast
"What's the difference between a mutual fund and a river guide?" asks Aaron Rappleye as we swap jokes at camp on the river. “A mutual fund matures in four years and starts paying out." There are plenty of applicants with delayed maturity, or Peter Pan syndrome, who would gladly love to become a river guide on the Colorado River in Moab, Utah. The job is seasonal and it … [Read more...]
Moab’s Affordable Housing Shortage
Moab is a rare city in the U.S: It is quickly growing, yet has still retained its own unique identity. There is no Wal-Mart in Moab, very few chain stores, and no big-box developments or strip malls, which is why so many love living here. But growth is inevitable, and many people who want to live here are finding it harder to secure housing. Real estate prices are increasing … [Read more...]
Moab’s Bluejohn Canyon
One of the many remote, seldom traveled, yet now famous places near Moab, Utah is Bluejohn Canyon. If the place name doesn’t sound familiar, perhaps the movie 127 Hours starring James Franco does. Or perhaps the name Aron Ralston rings a bell. He saved his life by amputating his own arm after it became pinned under an errant chock stone. Traveling throughout Utah and … [Read more...]
Blue John Canyon — Ralston’s Rock Found
Last month, I had the opportunity to visit Blue John Canyon, High Spur Canyon and Horseshoe Canyon - home of the Grand Gallery. I made the tour with Navtec Expeditions out of Moab, Utah. While there, I visited the site where Aron Ralston's arm was pinned for 127 hours. We also visited some of the most stunning examples of slot-canyon geology found on Earth. I can highly … [Read more...]
Lin Ottinger takes Utah Stories to Moab’s White Rim
Every year, thousands of worldwide travelers visit Moab's White Rim Trail. On foot, bicycle or by jeep, here people witness some of the most majestic scenery in the American Southwest. Unlike the Grand Canyon, Bryce, or much of Canyonlands, the White Rim area is accessible only by 4x4 vehicles. On this day, the huge international annual “Jeep Safari” event hasn’t yet started, … [Read more...]
Moab’s Base Camp Adventure Lodge
In the Moab 4x4 Center, conversation turns to abandoned uranium mines. Tom Higginson, I’m told, extensively explored mines in the area. One he frequented contained historic relics including a table, cups and chairs and a jacket, as if the miners who worked there went out for a stroll 70 years ago and never came back. Tom was living in the old Camelot Lodge space, they said, … [Read more...]
Spanish Valley Vineyards of Moab
A few years ago Curt Stripeika planted grapevines at his home in Cottonwood Heights and started producing wine with his harvest. He enjoyed working outdoors and literally enjoying the fruits of his labors. After years of working in the city as a structural engineer, driving working behind a desk and computer all day, he wondered if he could possibly make a career out of … [Read more...]
Moab Ziplining – Raven’s Rim Zip Line Adventures
Raven's Rim Zip Line Adventures is a marvel for the novice zipliner like myself. I've never ziplined. But I've certainly benefited from the great modern marvels produced using strong cable. Such as elevators, trams, chairlifts and suspension bridges. Ziplining is more raw and simple. Ziplining was actually invented for bird watching. The concept is to travel on a cable … [Read more...]