Battered. Bruised Sunburned. Dirty. Exhausted: We live to tell the story of our adventurous stay in picturesque Moab, Utah.

July 24

2 A.M. - The Big Green Bus breeches the gates of Moab’s famous Arches National Park with vigor. The powerfully eclectic beats of Paul Oakenfold, coupled with a fluid glow stick performance by Sunshine seemingly guided the bus around the hairpin bends and decreasing elevations before settling in front of the dominating silhouette of “Balanced Rock.” After a short walk to the daunting monument, we packed into the bus to sleep.

July 25

8:30 A.M.– “We are Dartmouth Students out to change the world one, veggie-oil powered bus at a time!” A rude awakening from a young girl to her mother, just as ignorant to the 12 sleeping individuals inside as we were to the breathtaking landscape surrounding our mobile bedroom. As we readied for the day, one of us groggily headed outside to talk with the intrigued hikers about our proclamation-turned-inquiry. By this point in the trek, this has become normal.

Noon – After being blown away by the reddened cliffs, isolated peaks, and contrasting blue sky, our hunger got the best of us and took us to our favorite home for meals, fuel, and today, wireless internet: Denny’s. One delicious lunch later we retreated to the bus in true food-coma fashion and eagerly siphoned wi-fi from the neighboring hotel (Thanks!).

Like every day, several passersby grew curious and dropped by. But today’s visitors had us in for a surprise. As soon as Brock and Alex came on deck, Andy was hit with an odd recognition quickly confirmed by Brock’s introduction. “This may be random, but I think you were my tour leader seven years ago on an Outward Bound trip out here with my dad.” Sure enough. Small world…

After some hearty conversation, Alex and Brock invited all of us to “practice.” At first, we were set to politely decline, immobilized by pancakes and heavy heat and intimidated by the sound of athletic activity, but we quickly came around when we heard that “practice” required floating down the Colorado River in the late afternoon beneath 400 foot tall sandstone cliffs. (We weren’t introduced to the aggressive nature this would take on rapids until later). Still, tight.

2 P.M. – Before meeting up with the Outward Bound crew, we headed back to Arches to partake in a bit of hiking and sightseeing. Arches is a photographer’s playground. Armed with digital cameras, we quickly dispersed, racing to shoot the best photo of the naturally delicate, red arches, boldly contrasting the hard shadows of midday sunlight and blue sky above (Selecting photos for this page was no easy task).

5 P.M. – We eagerly welcomed our first fullest capacity bus ride of the summer on the way to practice. There was no hesitancy hopping into the Colorado. Perhaps there should have been. When being led by veteran Outward Bound guides, there is little thought to one’s own safety. Awed by the paramount landscape and smooth start to the float, several of us were met with apprehension when Casey yelled out, “swim hard to the left and make sure your feet are up so they don’t get caught in the rocks. The rapids are quick, just let your butt take any impact.” However, it didn’t take us long to realize that the rapids were the most exhilarating part of the whole experience. Just lying back on our awkward, middle-school-getting-turned-down-by-Talie-Amar-at-Andrew-Arndt’s-Bar-Mitzvah lifejackets and being propelled by the current was easily the most relaxed I have felt all summer. Anyway, the entire experience passed by way too quickly, but culminated appropriately with a massive, win or go home, dirt-chucking fight. Seeing as I just found some of the remnants caked into my hair just now, it goes without saying that I was not the victor.

8 P.M. – Since the Outward Bound guides were so amazingly welcoming and provided such a cool experience, we decided to forego another night at the park, instead opting to cook them (thanks Steph, Viv, and Liss) a delicious salmon, Stove-Top, and corn on the cob dinner at their house. How very kind of us. Anyway, thanks again to Brock, Alex, Langley, Casey, Julie, Rob, and everyone else from Outward Bound West!

Easily one of the best stops of the summer.

- Elliott

Links

Outward Bound