Moab, UT

    Over the weekend I was able to take a tour offered by a local non-profit agency, Canyonlands Field Institue.  They offer camps for children free of charge.  Some of that cost is underwritten by the funds collected from these tours.  It was very reasonably priced and was awesome.  For four hours we road in a van to various parts of the area enjoying the unique scenery. (Arches National Park is here.)   I had chosen the "Moab's Ancient Past" tour.  We went to see petroglyphs and pictographs.  LOTS of them. (The first one pictured is Kokopelli and the other is Moab Man.) There was some hiking involved so I got my exercise too.  We even had time to go view the dinosaur tracks-seriously.  So cool.....well, actually it was hot with the area setting record temps.  I then visited the Earth Day bazaar and shopped (of course) in the downtown area.
     I am completing my volunteer time at the Christmas Box House.  Lots of praises in having been here.

Next, I will be heading north to volunteer at a church camp in northern Idaho.

Christmas Box House Moab, UT

 

  I am volunteering at this children's home.  It was founded by one of my favorite authors, Richard Paul Evans, who wrote The Christmas Box and many others.  This place is a Family Support Center.  It offers emergency shelter for at- risk children, day care, and works with state family services.  Another worthy cause.  I have been doing deep cleaning, washing windows, sanitizing toys, and getting to those things that the staff can never find time to do.
     This project is one that I wanted to do, not part of NOMADS.  So I am staying at a campground.  It happens to be in town and less than a mile from the Christmas Box House.  So I am able to ride my bicycle to and from 'work.'  The grocery store is on the way and downtown is just a couple blocks away. The weather has been glorious, so riding a bike or walking around has not been a problem.  Praises.
     Moab is very small, but full of people visiting the Canyonlands.  Lots of mountain bikers, jeeps, atvs, etc.  

Roadside Assistance and The Four Corners

As I headed to Colorado I had the opportunity to use Good Sam Club Roadside Assistance. It was a windy day- I shouldn't have travelled. A gust of wind pushed me off the road, blessedly nothing serious happened. Then I noticed that the slide-topper (a small awning like cover that protects the slide-out when it's in use) was flapping in the wind. Not only was it causing me to have more difficulty driving, but if it ripped off I was afraid it would cause an accident. The slide is 20 feet long. I was able to pull off the road at an old motel and call for emergency assistance. It took a couple of hours (I was far north of Flagstaff), but the good-looking :) young man was able to roll the topper back up. It had not ripped apart, just unrolled. Then I was on my way again.

I stopped at the Four Corners monument and did a little shopping- I can find something to buy anywhere. Love that Indian jewelry. I made it to Montrose, CO and had a nice Easter. I have not had a problem with the slide-topper. Now I'm headed to Moab, UT.

Leaving Towerpoint - Mesa, AZ

Yes, the time has come. Many here have already left, going to their homes up north. I've been in denial about it and have left the packing to the end. I will be spending Easter with my brother and family in Colorado and then volunteering at a children's home in Utah. So.. time to hit the the road.