Magical Moab Meetup October 3 - 13, 2025!!!!

[Exflyboy]

I can hardly wait!.. My "Rolladex" swells from each Moab visit.. On Friday I got to meet Pete (Yes THE Pete!) in Longmont and borrow his mig welder... :)

This was during a Moab follow up job to replace the headlight lenses on Amanada's (not on the forum) Toyota Prius. We did the job in Pete's driveway who lives next door.

She then threw a most wonderful party where I got to meet a bunch of the Longmont folks. DW (HRH) arrived to pick me up from the party and started having great conversations herself.. Who knows, maybe she will come to Moab too?..;)

Good times.

[NinetyFour]

WOW!!!!

[Exflyboy]

Yes my MIL's house is a mere 8 miles away from the Longmont mother ship.

Who knows, depending on how much Medicaid has to be paid back, we might end up owning a house there..;)

[iluvzbeach]

Wow, that is quite cool!

[MrGreen]

The coolest!

[Dicey]

I have no doubt they'll be telling Frank stories for a long time to come. What did you weld?

[Exflyboy]

I have no doubt they'll be telling Frank stories for a long time to come. What did you weld?

"Frank Stories"? I'm sure they barely noticed my presence..;)

Nothing too fancy.. I needed a fine thread 5/16ths bolt.. Actually 24 threads per inch. The funny thing is, where I live the local hardware store has these bolts in almost any length. But in Longmont/Berthoud.. Oh no! Despite NAPA having such a 1 inch long bolt on their website, it turns out they do not exist anywhere.

Now there are a number of farms in the area and old farm equipment will feature this bolt so we were surprised they made like hens teeth!

Now HRH stopped by the soon to happen party to drop off beer (priorities) and showed me the only bolt she did manage to find... i.e right thread but much too long.. After some muttering about how I could make one if I had a handy LATHE!!! I got the bight idea that a long bolt (with an unthreaded portion) could be made shorter by welding a nut onto the bolt shaft, just leaving a 1 inch stub of thread sticking out.

Now who did I know who had a welder and a few old nuts lying around? Worked perfect and MIL's lawn tractor now works after its 2 years as "yard art"!

The lawn tractor is grateful even if MIL isn't..:)

A fuller description of the day's events can be found here:.. https://forum.mrmoneymustache.com/journals/humble-renaissance-man-)/6500/

[Dicey]

Dude, you are one smart, practical mensch. Hens teeth, indeed.

[Exflyboy]

Dude, you are one smart, practical mensch. Hens teeth, indeed.

Naah.. Just cheap..:)

[Dicey]

In order to complete my year end task list, I'm updating the Moab list. I'm going to show who I have, but not batsignal them, because I've got their info. If you're NOT on this list and have a reservation at Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, please get your details to me asap! Use WhatsApp or send a PM. I can't make the dreaded fees go away if I don't have your deets!

94
oneday
Soobs
Holocene
2b1s
Mr. Green
EFB
Purple Crayon
MoseyingAlong
FI Ventures
NinjaSue
mm1970
Soobs
Life Happens
Cherry Lane

A gold star for each of you!

Happy New Year!

[2Birds1Stone]

In order to complete my year end task list, I'm updating the Moab list. I'm going to show who I have, but not batsignal them, because I've got their info. If you're NOT on this list and have a reservation at Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, please get your details to me asap! Use WhatsApp or send a PM. I can't make the dreaded fees go away if I don't have your deets!

94
oneday
Soobs
Holocene
2b1s
Mr. Green
EFB
Purple Crayon
MoseyingAlong
FI Ventures
NinjaSue
mm1970
Soobs
Life Happens
Cherry Lane

A gold star for each of you!

Happy New Year!

thank you <3

[IslandFiGirl]

Just curious, is it possible to get in on this shin dig or have all the spots been claimed? I've been to lots of FI events and have made some great friends, I'd love to meet some of y'all from here too.

[Exflyboy]

Just curious, is it possible to get in on this shin dig or have all the spots been claimed? I've been to lots of FI events and have made some great friends, I'd love to meet some of y'all from here too.

Well, there is a fee but that can be reduced if you grovel a lot!...:)

[ToTheMoon]

Hi Dicey, we have reservations for part of the week as well. 😊

[Exflyboy]

Just curious, is it possible to get in on this shin dig or have all the spots been claimed? I've been to lots of FI events and have made some great friends, I'd love to meet some of y'all from here too.

Well he serious part of my reply didn't get included.. Weird.

There are two official accomodation options.

1) At Downtown Moab Sun Outdoors. There might be some campsites available.. Pretty spendy but @Dicey can get us a deal so best to connect with her. The unofficial way is to connect with somebody thats going and share their reservation. A number of us sleep in vehicles so if you have a tent I suspect you might have better luck with this approach. In theory extra vehicles have to be parked in the overflow parking lot, but this does not seem to be strictly enforced. I am already squatting on somebody else patch so I can't offer to share a spot.

2) At the guest house known as "La Casa".. I have no idea who books this house or if there are spare rooms available.. Last year folks were spending $50/night from memory, but I don't think it was full either.. Maybe someone  @314159  @Holocene @becca can provide details on this option.

3) cabins at Sun Outdoors.. I believe these were all booked up back in October.

4) Stealth.. cough, somehow it all works out and one or two folks just turn up and we've always made it work in the last two years.. I just "showed up" in 2023.. Not a guarantee of course but heck if you're adventurous.. I might get ex-communicated from the cult for suggesting this!

There s a whatapp group where you should connect too, I don't know how to post the link here, maybe somebody can help?

[oneday]

In order to complete my year end task list, I'm updating the Moab list. I'm going to show who I have, but not batsignal them, because I've got their info. If you're NOT on this list and have a reservation at Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, please get your details to me asap! Use WhatsApp or send a PM. I can't make the dreaded fees go away if I don't have your deets!

94
oneday
Soobs
Holocene
2b1s
Mr. Green
EFB
Purple Crayon
MoseyingAlong
FI Ventures
NinjaSue
mm1970
Soobs
Life Happens
Cherry Lane

A gold star for each of you!

Happy New Year!

Thank you for your service!

[spartana]

I can hardly wait!.. My "Rolladex" swells from each Moab visit.. On Friday I got to meet Pete (Yes THE Pete!) in Longmont and borrow his mig welder... :)

This was during a Moab follow up job to replace the headlight lenses on Amanada's (not on the forum) Toyota Prius. We did the job in Pete's driveway who lives next door.

She then threw a most wonderful party where I got to meet a bunch of the Longmont folks. DW (HRH) arrived to pick me up from the party and started having great conversations herself.. Who knows, maybe she will come to Moab too?..;)

Good times.

Very cool! But I'm really jealous of the mig welder ;-).

So who was the person/people who rode their bikes to the last Moab meet up? @Chaplin or one of the other Canadians? If you were coming from North of Moab what route did you take?

[mm1970]

WOW!!!!

RIGHT??

[Dicey]

Part of my method is to be super nice to the staff at Sun Outdoors, mostly just by taking a few minutes to chat about their lives. Last year, a staffer mentioned his aunt & uncle used to live in my city. Then he clarified that they still did, but not in the house they had when he grew up. They sold it because the aunt has (now) end-stage dementia. She's in a specialized facility and the uncle lives in another senior facility nearby. He also mentioned he has a vintage RoadTrek. I gave him my contact info saying, "If you're ever in the neighborhood and need a driveway..."

Yesterday, he reached out by text. I told him my driveway was still available, then asked exactly where his relatives were. Yeah, they're right around the corner from my old townhouse. I visit my former neighbor there once a week. She's the 100-year-old badass who still lives by herself in her two-story home.  If you follow my journal, you know we do the Sunday NYT Crossword together on Mondays. That's exactly where I was when I got his texts.

Since I'm very familiar with the neighborhood, I know a bunch of places he could stealth camp, even closer than my house. He is thrilled. I look forward to making his trip a little easier. 

Just another slice of Moab Magic.

[mm1970]

Just curious, is it possible to get in on this shin dig or have all the spots been claimed? I've been to lots of FI events and have made some great friends, I'd love to meet some of y'all from here too.

To add to @Exflyboy , I have a cabin for (searches email) Oct 3- Oct 11.  The (loose, no tix yet) plan is to fly into SLC on Oct 2 with spouse and 13 yo (no school that day), spend the night in SLC, and drive down to Moab on Oct 3.

Cuz spawn has school, I figure it's okay for him to miss a couple of days (Oct 3, and Oct 6).  That means spouse+kid will be flying home on the 6th, and I will thus have a cabin alllll to myself from Oct 6 to 11th.

This is *very* loose, but you know - stuff like this means there will be space.  Cabins sleep 4.  But there's only one parking spot.  We haven't quite figured THAT out yet, bcuz likely we'll have to rent 2 cars since we are going back on different days.  Might have to pay for overflow parking.

[Chaplin]

So who was the person/people who rode their bikes to the last Moab meet up? @Chaplin or one of the other Canadians? If you were coming from North of Moab what route did you take?

I didn't make it to Moab 2024, but I'm hoping to go in 2025, and preferably by bike. I'll probably aim to one direction by Amtrak. I've looked at routes and the options from the PNW aren't great, but perhaps bike down the coast to northern California, then Amtrak to SLC, and bike from there to Moab. It will depend on how much time I'm willing to take... Coming from the north would look a lot like doing the first half of the Great Divide again and while that's an amazing route, I'd like to try something new rather than repeating.

[Exflyboy]

So who was the person/people who rode their bikes to the last Moab meet up? @Chaplin or one of the other Canadians? If you were coming from North of Moab what route did you take?

I didn't make it to Moab 2024, but I'm hoping to go in 2025, and preferably by bike. I'll probably aim to one direction by Amtrak. I've looked at routes and the options from the PNW aren't great, but perhaps bike down the coast to northern California, then Amtrak to SLC, and bike from there to Moab. It will depend on how much time I'm willing to take... Coming from the north would look a lot like doing the first half of the Great Divide again and while that's an amazing route, I'd like to try something new rather than repeating.

Geez, you're amazing!

Or instead of getting off in SLC, stay on the train and go to Green River which is a mere 50 miles North of Moab... I mean I can see how that might not be enough exercise for you though...;)

[iluvzbeach]

Part of my method is to be super nice to the staff at Sun Outdoors, mostly just by taking a few minutes to chat about their lives. Last year, a staffer mentioned his aunt & uncle used to live in my city. Then he clarified that they still did, but not in the house they had when he grew up. They sold it because the aunt has (now) end-stage dementia. She's in a specialized facility and the uncle lives in another senior facility nearby. He also mentioned he has a vintage RoadTrek. I gave him my contact info saying, "If you're ever in the neighborhood and need a driveway..."

Yesterday, he reached out by text. I told him my driveway was still available, then asked exactly where his relatives were. Yeah, they're right around the corner from my old townhouse. I visit my former neighbor there once a week. She's the 100-year-old badass who still lives by herself in her two-story home.  If you follow my journal, you know we do the Sunday NYT Crossword together on Mondays. That's exactly where I was when I got his texts.

Since I'm very familiar with the neighborhood, I know a bunch of places he could stealth camp, even closer than my house. He is thrilled. I look forward to making his trip a little easier. 

Just another slice of Moab Magic.

Dicey, this is awesome.  It's really incredible the personal connections you can make just by chatting up someone a bit.

[spartana]

So who was the person/people who rode their bikes to the last Moab meet up? @Chaplin or one of the other Canadians? If you were coming from North of Moab what route did you take?

I didn't make it to Moab 2024, but I'm hoping to go in 2025, and preferably by bike. I'll probably aim to one direction by Amtrak. I've looked at routes and the options from the PNW aren't great, but perhaps bike down the coast to northern California, then Amtrak to SLC, and bike from there to Moab. It will depend on how much time I'm willing to take... Coming from the north would look a lot like doing the first half of the Great Divide again and while that's an amazing route, I'd like to try something new rather than repeating.

Going thru the desert for such a long time at that time of year would be difficult for wimpy me (The sun! It burnssss usesss preciousss) so I'd have to go another route too if I went. Thought going out of Wyoming, Montana or Colorado would be the best options then going back to Calif some other way (via rental car, train or flying) but didn't see good biking routes. I kind of like the idea of starting in Colorado and biking around there for a couple of weeks then heading (downhill!!!) to Moab.

[2Birds1Stone]

So who was the person/people who rode their bikes to the last Moab meet up? @Chaplin or one of the other Canadians? If you were coming from North of Moab what route did you take?

I didn't make it to Moab 2024, but I'm hoping to go in 2025, and preferably by bike. I'll probably aim to one direction by Amtrak. I've looked at routes and the options from the PNW aren't great, but perhaps bike down the coast to northern California, then Amtrak to SLC, and bike from there to Moab. It will depend on how much time I'm willing to take... Coming from the north would look a lot like doing the first half of the Great Divide again and while that's an amazing route, I'd like to try something new rather than repeating.

Going thru the desert for such a long time at that time of year would be difficult for wimpy me (The sun! It burnssss usesss preciousss) so I'd have to go another route too if I went. Thought going out of Wyoming, Montana or Colorado would be the best options then going back to Calif some other way (via rental car, train or flying) but didn't see good biking routes. I kind of like the idea of starting in Colorado and biking around there for a couple of weeks then heading (downhill!!!) to Moab.

How about your get your butt to Moab this year?!?!

[spartana]

^^^ Gonna try but.... (insert random excuse).... But I'm gonna try ;-).

[NinetyFour]

^^^ Gonna try but.... (insert random excuse).... But I'm gonna try ;-).

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

[spartana]

^^^ Gonna try but.... (insert random excuse).... But I'm gonna try ;-).

YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

LOL! If I put it off much longer I'll run out of excuses for meeting real live humans besides... Scary ;-). Thinking a rental SUV or van for a month so I can bring my bike and "stuff" and that I can sleep in and use to see some other areas too before or after. Easy and no long distance biking thru the desert. Yes @Chaplin I am a wimp ;-).

[NinetyFour]

Only 257 days.....!!!

[Dicey]

Only 257 days.....!!!

I was going to contact you first, but what the heck...

My Big Event is probably going to be moved to September 27th. 1...2...3...SQUEE!!!!!

[lhamo]

Only 257 days.....!!!

I was going to contact you first, but what the heck...

My Big Event is probably going to be moved to September 27th. 1...2...3...SQUEE!!!!!

Thank you, scheduling gods!

I'm hoping to make it this year.

Markets willing....

[2Birds1Stone]

Only 257 days.....!!!

I was going to contact you first, but what the heck...

My Big Event is probably going to be moved to September 27th. 1...2...3...SQUEE!!!!!

w0000000t!!

[Sandi_k]

OK, I'm considering it.

DH is unlikely to want to drive from NorCal to Moab. I can convince him to fly into SLC, and drive from there.

Is there an FAQ for newbies? If we want something hotel-ish, since we're not bringing the camping van...what would that look like?

[Dicey]

OK, I'm considering it.

DH is unlikely to want to drive from NorCal to Moab. I can convince him to fly into SLC, and drive from there.

Is there an FAQ for newbies? If we want something hotel-ish, since we're not bringing the camping van...what would that look like?

Best FAQ is to read through previous year's threads. The @Embok's have a hotel they like that's close, convenient and fairly reasonable, IIRC. check out Grand Junction for flights as well.

[LifeHappens]

Sandi_k there are tons of hotels within walking distance of the campground. Some of the best parts of the meetup are the campfires in the evening, so I highly suggest prioritizing being close.

You can also ask for access to the WhatsApp group, which how everyone self organizes hikes, meals, etc. It's a very informal meetup, so no hard agenda.

[Sandi_k]

OK, thanks. I was checking out Google maps, the Downtown campground, and various VRBO options last night.

@Dicey - d'oh! Of course, I'll check out the prior thread.

[mm1970]

OK, I'm considering it.

DH is unlikely to want to drive from NorCal to Moab. I can convince him to fly into SLC, and drive from there.

Is there an FAQ for newbies? If we want something hotel-ish, since we're not bringing the camping van...what would that look like?

There are hotels, and there's La Casa too.  Check the prior threads on La Casa.

I've been doing my calculus on flying into various cities and driving, trying to figure out if SLC is better or Grand Jct.  And husband wants to come, so do we split the week or do we have him+ kid come in for just the weekend?  Kid is off school on Thurs the 2nd.  So he'd have to miss a day.  SO MUCH CALCULUS. 

Prob SLC will win bc it's a single 2 hour flight.

[Embok]

We have flown into SLC, and we have flown into Grand Junction.  For us, because we like to make stops, it’s about 3.5 to 4 hours drive from SLC to Moab, and about 2 from Grand Junction.  All other things being equal, I prefer grand Junction, but we do whichever works in terms of timing and price when we can travel. 

We like the Moab Rustic Inn, which is clean, family-run, and was last decorated circa 1957 in rustic pine.  It requires an early check in as they close about 9 pm, and they have old fashioned real keys — and it’s easy to lock yourself out (no, we haven’t done that, but we’ve seen others do so.). There are many other, frankly probably better, hotels, but things book up early.  The reason we like the Rustic Inn is that my husband likes going back to the same place every time once he has found an acceptable option.  They have some kitchenette type cooking facilities in the rooms, and a very small pool. No hot tub. 

[Dicey]

We have flown into SLC, and we have flown into Grand Junction.  For us, because we like to make stops, it’s about 3.5 to 4 hours drive from SLC to Moab, and about 2 from Grand Junction.  All other things being equal, I prefer grand Junction, but we do whichever works in terms of timing and price when we can travel. 

We like the Moab Rustic Inn, which is clean, family-run, and was last decorated circa 1957 in rustic pine.  It requires an early check in as they close about 9 pm, and they have old fashioned real keys — and it’s easy to lock yourself out (no, we haven’t done that, but we’ve seen others do so.). There are many other, frankly probably better, hotels, but things book up early.  The reason we like the Rustic Inn is that my husband likes going back to the same place every time once he has found an acceptable option.  They have some kitchenette type cooking facilities in the rooms, and a very small pool. No hot tub.

Other RI benefits - 1. It's close to the Moab Public Library, home of Cosmos, the very cool tuxedo cat who runs the place. 2. It's close to the best thrift store in town - WabiSabi. 3. It's within easy walking distance of the best grocery store in town. 4. Best for last - it's within easy walking distance to Sun Outdoors Downtown Moab, aka Magical Moab Meetup HQ, site of the not-to-be-missed evening campfire and more.

[Chaplin]

'Hoping to be there. Also hoping to travel by some combination of bike and train, unless either my wife comes along or I carpool with another BC MMM'er.

Plans have changed so I'll remove myself from the list. I'll miss seeing you all, but I know you'll have a fine time.

[Exflyboy]

OK, I'm considering it.

DH is unlikely to want to drive from NorCal to Moab. I can convince him to fly into SLC, and drive from there.

Is there an FAQ for newbies? If we want something hotel-ish, since we're not bringing the camping van...what would that look like?

There are hotels, and there's La Casa too.  Check the prior threads on La Casa.

I've been doing my calculus on flying into various cities and driving, trying to figure out if SLC is better or Grand Jct.  And husband wants to come, so do we split the week or do we have him+ kid come in for just the weekend?  Kid is off school on Thurs the 2nd.  So he'd have to miss a day.  SO MUCH CALCULUS. 

Prob SLC will win bc it's a single 2 hour flight.

You mean a mere 21 hours (plus a layover) from SAC to Green River by Amtrak doesn't whet your appetite?.. You get to interact with all kinds of "humanity" (whether you want to or not).. Its an adventure, especially in economy!..:)

There was me thinking that everybody would want to follow in my footsteps after Moab 24.. I mean I didn't even get murdered!..:)

[Dicey]

'Hoping to be there. Also hoping to travel by some combination of bike and train, unless either my wife comes along or I carpool with another BC MMM'er.

Plans have changed so I'll remove myself from the list. I'll miss seeing you all, but I know you'll have a fine time.

Wah! I'll console myself with the thought that it's still early, plans could change again. Plus there's a very good chance we'll do it again next year...

[NinetyFour]

Only 210 days......

[2Birds1Stone]

In order to complete my year end task list, I'm updating the Moab list. I'm going to show who I have, but not batsignal them, because I've got their info. If you're NOT on this list and have a reservation at Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, please get your details to me asap! Use WhatsApp or send a PM. I can't make the dreaded fees go away if I don't have your deets!

94
oneday
Soobs
Holocene
2b1s
Mr. Green
EFB
Purple Crayon
MoseyingAlong
FI Ventures
NinjaSue
mm1970
Soobs
Life Happens
Cherry Lane

A gold star for each of you!

Happy New Year!

Any updates on this? =D

[Dicey]

In order to complete my year end task list, I'm updating the Moab list. I'm going to show who I have, but not batsignal them, because I've got their info. If you're NOT on this list and have a reservation at Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown, please get your details to me asap! Use WhatsApp or send a PM. I can't make the dreaded fees go away if I don't have your deets!

94
oneday
Soobs
Holocene
2b1s
Mr. Green
EFB
Purple Crayon
MoseyingAlong
FI Ventures
NinjaSue
mm1970
Soobs
Life Happens
Cherry Lane

A gold star for each of you!

Happy New Year!

Any updates on this? =D

Dude, I just got home from Joshua Tree, where we and some of our mustachian friends completely enjoyed having no cell service of any kind!

Also, I am aware of an addition to the list, but am awaiting more details. Once I have that info, I'll shake the tree again.

[2Birds1Stone]

0_o

It's hard to keep up with y'all from this side of the planet!

I only inquire because DW has to cancel the CC we prepaid with soon (we opened it for a sign up bonus and the annual fee is about to hit with no other reason to keep it open), and I'm not sure how that works regarding refunds.

[Dicey]

0_o

It's hard to keep up with y'all from this side of the planet!

I only inquire because DW has to cancel the CC we prepaid with soon (we opened it for a sign up bonus and the annual fee is about to hit with no other reason to keep it open), and I'm not sure how that works regarding refunds.

In my limited experience, the CC issues refunds in such situations. They can't just keep your money.

[NinetyFour]

I was in Moab this weekend--the weather was perfect!!

A friend and I hiked to a new-to-us arch in Arches NP today.  It was really cool and we saw ZERO people on the hike.  I suspect that very few people know about it as it is not listed on any park pamphlets.  I only knew about it because a local mentioned it to me.  Can't wait to share it with you folks in October!

[NinetyFour]

A few pics from the last couple days in Moab...

Campsite at Big Bend Campground (on 128):




Hiking on the Portal Trail:










Exploring the area near a new-to-me arch in Arches NP.  Can you spot my friend??

[NotJen]

I was in Moab this weekend--the weather was perfect!!

A friend and I hiked to a new-to-us arch in Arches NP today.  It was really cool and we saw ZERO people on the hike.  I suspect that very few people know about it as it is not listed on any park pamphlets.  I only knew about it because a local mentioned it to me.  Can't wait to share it with you folks in October!

Well, I'm intrigued.  I'm hoping to head over to Arches tomorrow... sending a PM for some intel.