2024 Magical MOAB Meetup October 4 - 11

[2Birds1Stone]

I'm not too excited about those temps...... esp sleeping in a hot metal box.

[mm1970]

@mm1970 and this year I am in a tent!.. No luxurious, hedonistic monster SUV.. I guess at least I won't be cold!

I upgraded to a site with electricity, so I'm not kidding when I say I am considering squeezing my old box fan into the car...

[Cherry Lane]

Pay attention to the lows in that forecast, too. Moab cools off quick when the sun goes down. Sleeping shouldn't be a problem. I think it looks like perfect tenting weather (so long as you don't want a nap in mid-afternoon!)

[Dicey]

We spent a couple of days meandering in Yosemite, and made it as far as Ely, NV tonight. We're boondocking behind our favorite Shell gas station. It's our favorite because it's free! Alas, not the fuel. However, compared to CA prices, it feels like a deal. >$5 in CA, <$4 in NV.  GPS says 6 hours to Moab tomorrow. Squee!

We also had a close call with four black cows IN the road in the black of night. Mr. Dicey missed them, but it was very close. He now has a campfire story to tell. Oh, and another one about the brakes coming down Tioga Pass.

Be careful as you make your way to Moab. Take your time and arrive safely, please.

[the_hobbitish]

We're headed out from the east coast tomorrow and plan to arrive sometime Sunday. Last bits of electrical repair on the adventure truck finished last night. I still need to repack to switch out long-sleeve wools for tank tops. See you all soon!

[mm1970]

Pay attention to the lows in that forecast, too. Moab cools off quick when the sun goes down. Sleeping shouldn't be a problem. I think it looks like perfect tenting weather (so long as you don't want a nap in mid-afternoon!)

Oh yeah, the lows are PERFECTION.

And honestly, if Weather Underground is right, the "peak" is really a few hours in the afternoon, around 3 or 4-ish.  I mean, I'm sure Moab has an ice cream shop for that?

[2Birds1Stone]

We've been waking up to lows in the 30's outside of Provo, UT..........sleep is glorious when it gets cold.

[Chaplin]

Here is the status of La Casa as far as I know. If your name is below and I've got something wrong, please let me know.

....
@Chaplin: Still a maybe, depends how fast he bikes. 1 person, not sure of dates?
....

[/b]

After over six weeks on the bike and away from home and family I decided to head home instead of Moab. We also went too fast to make Moab fit nicely. Enjoy, and I hope to be there next year!

[Holocene]

@314159 - Did you manage to get a smaller house or are we still in La Casa?  What time are you planning to get in tomorrow?

[Retire-Canada]

We are in tent site G8. White Subaru with two mountain bikes.

It痴 been hot as hell once the early morning coolness is gone and we致e been drinking water like sponges riding our bikes. Shade is your friend.

Evenings have been cool and sleeping in a tent is very comfortable.

We値l be trying to get our rides done very early to beat the heat.

[314159]

@314159 - Did you manage to get a smaller house or are we still in La Casa?  What time are you planning to get in tomorrow?

The other houses were booked so we are still in La Casa! We get in tomorrow night. We値l be driving from Denver, leaving in the afternoon. I値l do my best to finalize payment ahead of time so the rest of you can check in as soon as you arrive.

[Embok]

DH and I are flying tomorrow to SLC, then driving to Moab, arriving in the evening, so likely will surface on Saturday sometime as we are staying offsite in a motel. 

We値l be moving slower than usual, as he痴 recovering after a tough illness. But we are looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new friends. 

So sorry that @oneday cannot make it this year.

[Holocene]

@314159 - Did you manage to get a smaller house or are we still in La Casa?  What time are you planning to get in tomorrow?

The other houses were booked so we are still in La Casa! We get in tomorrow night. We値l be driving from Denver, leaving in the afternoon. I値l do my best to finalize payment ahead of time so the rest of you can check in as soon as you arrive.

Do you think we'll be able to check in without you? Not sure how that'll work. I kind of doubt they'll just let me in?

@BECABECA and @Log I think are the only other ones staying in La Casa right?

I'm flexible when I arrive. Only driving around 3 hours and planning to hike and maybe bike in the morning before I head out. I've been camping for the last week straight so I could use a good shower though! :)

[314159]

@314159 - Did you manage to get a smaller house or are we still in La Casa?  What time are you planning to get in tomorrow?

The other houses were booked so we are still in La Casa! We get in tomorrow night. We値l be driving from Denver, leaving in the afternoon. I値l do my best to finalize payment ahead of time so the rest of you can check in as soon as you arrive.

Do you think we'll be able to check in without you? Not sure how that'll work. I kind of doubt they'll just let me in?

@BECABECA and @Log I think are the only other ones staying in La Casa right?

I'm flexible when I arrive. Only driving around 3 hours and planning to hike and maybe bike in the morning before I head out. I've been camping for the last week straight so I could use a good shower though! :)

Respond to my PM and we can make arrangements!

[oneday]

So sorry that @oneday cannot make it this year.

Me too 😭😭😭

Have fun, you guys!

[ixtap]

Wow. I remember when this plan started to come together we were considering attending! How much we have changed since then! Hope y'all have a most excellent time and that we can join you at a future event.

Currently anchored in the Channel Islands National Park.

[NinetyFour]

We're having a great time in Moab.  Folks have come here from ON, BC, OR, WA, CA, UT, CO, AZ, MN, KY, VA, and FL.  (Did I miss anyone?)

Fun stuff we have done thus far:

Hiked to (and through!) Jeep Arch
Hiked the Fiery Furnace in Arches NP
Hiked (and swam!) the Mill Creek trail
Mountain biked several area trails
Hiked to Funnel Arch
Hiked to Broken Arch and Skyline Arch in Arches NP
Hiked the Professor and Mary Jane trail
Did a driving tour through Arches NP
Had an ice cream social
Had a pot luck dinner at La Casa (at a nearby hostel)

Still to come:

SUPing and tubing on the Colorado River
Hike on the Portal Trail
More mountain biking
"Garage sale" at our HQ campsite

I'm probably forgetting several things, but the important thing is that we have a great group this year and we're having a blast.

Oh, and it's happening next year, too!

https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/meetups-and-social-events/magical-moab-meetup-2025!!!!/

[Exflyboy]

Best meetup ever!..:)

[2Birds1Stone]

And ATH's!!

Had an AMAZING time.

[Exflyboy]

And ATH's!!

Had an AMAZING time.

Great to meet you!.. And yes a number of ATH's wee had..:)

[LifeHappens]

Moonpie and I enjoyed the whole 1 1/2 days we got to hang out before having to rush back to Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton. Hopefully someday we can go to the meetup without a hurricane affecting our area (Ian in 2022, Helene and Milton 2024).

[Exflyboy]

Moonpie and I enjoyed the whole 1 1/2 days we got to hang out before having to rush back to Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton. Hopefully someday we can go to the meetup without a hurricane affecting our area (Ian in 2022, Helene and Milton 2024).

Enjoyed meeting you both.. And such talent too!...:)

[Dicey]

Moonpie and I enjoyed the whole 1 1/2 days we got to hang out before having to rush back to Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton. Hopefully someday we can go to the meetup without a hurricane affecting our area (Ian in 2022, Helene and Milton 2024).

Ooh, I was just thinking about you this morning! Did you and yours get through relatively unscathed?

[LifeHappens]

Moonpie and I enjoyed the whole 1 1/2 days we got to hang out before having to rush back to Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton. Hopefully someday we can go to the meetup without a hurricane affecting our area (Ian in 2022, Helene and Milton 2024).

Ooh, I was just thinking about you this morning! Did you and yours get through relatively unscathed?

Yes, quite unscathed. We kept electricity through the storm, only losing it Sunday afternoon for less than 24 hours. It seems to have been a "need to break this temporarily to fix something else" thing.

[mm1970]

Moonpie and I enjoyed the whole 1 1/2 days we got to hang out before having to rush back to Tampa ahead of Hurricane Milton. Hopefully someday we can go to the meetup without a hurricane affecting our area (Ian in 2022, Helene and Milton 2024).

Ooh, I was just thinking about you this morning! Did you and yours get through relatively unscathed?

Yes, quite unscathed. We kept electricity through the storm, only losing it Sunday afternoon for less than 24 hours. It seems to have been a "need to break this temporarily to fix something else" thing.

This is good news!  We totally didn't overlap at all, but I heard the stories!

[LifeHappens]

This is good news!  We totally didn't overlap at all, but I heard the stories!

Yes. Sorry we had to run away before you arrived. I was looking forward to meeting you and so many others.

[the_hobbitish]

Great to meet everyone! Looking forward to next year!

[NinetyFour]

I got back home yesterday.  Fantastic meetup and after party!!  Such a great group of folks this year.  Everyone pitched in to help in a variety of ways--on the trails, at the campground, with group meals, etc.  Thank you all!!!

The canopy and the purple bucket will live on my porch for another year....

[NinetyFour]

Fun stuff we did this year in the Moab area:

Hiked to (and through!) Jeep Arch
Hiked the Fiery Furnace in Arches NP
Hiked (and swam!) the Mill Creek trail
Mountain biked several area trails
Hiked/climbed to Funnel Arch
Hiked to Broken Arch, Tapestry Arch and Sand Dune Arch in Arches NP
Hiked the Professor Creek and Mary Jane Canyon trail
Did a driving tour through Arches NP
Had an ice cream social
Had a pot luck dinner at La Casa (at a nearby hostel) which ended at 8:30!?!?
SUPped and went tubing on the Colorado River
Hiked on the Portal Trail and continued to Little Arch
More mountain biking
Hiked in the Grandstaff Canyon to the Morning Glory Bridge
Had a "yard sale" at our HQ campsite
Hiked the Fisher Towers trail
Hiked the Primitive Trail loop in Arches
Hiked to Delicate Arch and enjoyed it at sunset with a bottle of wine!
Hiked to Corona Arch and Bowtie Arch
Did some scary and fun off-road driving!
Drove part of the White Rim and The Maze district of Canyonlands

(feel free to add anything that I missed!)

Arches that were seen:

Black
Broken
Cliffhandle
Delicate
Double
Double O
Funnel
Jeep
Kissing Turtles
Landscape
Little
Longbow
Morning Glory (it's actually a bridge, but we'll count it!)
Navajo
North Window
Parallel
Partition
Private
Sand Dune
Skull
Skyline
South Window
Surprise
Turret
Tapestry
Tower

[Dicey]

Uh, there was also a totally unexpected and hilarious coronation ceremony.

[NinjaSue]

Numerous musical performances from some talented folks. I really enjoyed it- thanks to those that entertained us!

[2Birds1Stone]

We visited Proper Brewing Company (but @NinjaSue's spouse put any of their beers to shame with their home brews)
Some of us found a gym and did some weightlifting between all of the hiking and boozing ;)

[314159]

Had a pot luck dinner at La Casa (at a nearby hostel) which ended at 8:30!?!?

Haha! Those of us staying at La Casa enjoyed an after party which started at 8:30 XD
_____

By popular request, here are the recipes we served at the La Casa potluck:

Coconut Milk Chicken Adobo (NYT Cooking gift link). Instead of coconut oil we used vegetable oil and instead of coconut vinegar we used white vinegar. We also used tamari instead of soy sauce to make it gluten free. Just as delicious! What I love about this recipe is the steps are basically just: 1) add everything to a pot; 2) simmer for an hour or two. You get so much food for so little effort.

Sweet Potato + Chocolate Chili (The Whole Smiths - printable version). We omitted the bacon and used textured vegetable protein instead of ground beef to make it vegetarian. Personally I don't like beans, so this is our go-to chili recipe at home because it doesn't have any. But at La Casa, DW added various beans (I was having chicken adobo anyway).

And of course...
Cranberry Upside Down Cake! (Lottie and Doof) At home I follow the recipe from scratch, but when traveling I use a boxed yellow cake mix for the cake portion. I usually enhance the boxed cake mix with an extra egg yolk and replacing the water with orange juice. Don't skip the step of cooking the cranberries on the stove熔therwise your cranberries will take too long to bake in the oven and your cake will be dry and overcooked. Double the recipe if you're using a 9x13 pan instead of an 8-9" round. Usually a large amount brown sugar sticks to the pan when I flip it upside down, so you could probably reduce the brown sugar in the topping.
_____

It was so good to see everyone! We had such an amazing time. Even more fun than last year, which is really saying something!

[Cherry Lane]

And Cloister Arch

[Holocene]

I had a blast!  It was really great meeting everyone and hope to make it back again next year.  Big thanks to @NinetyFour and @Dicey for making it all happen!

[Exflyboy]

I had a blast!  It was really great meeting everyone and hope to make it back again next year.  Big thanks to @NinetyFour and @Dicey for making it all happen!

We really hope to see you again next year too! You are an absolute blast to hang out with!