So say I just showed up in my car would I have a place to sleep or park my car and split a camp site?
Unless lots of other people descend upon my site, it seems highly likely there would be room for another car and tent. Someone will have room.
I think most of the tent sites can accommodate two tents.
I just checked the campground website, and I was pleased to see that there are still sites available for at least some of the nights. Just a reminder that they have a VERY generous cancellation policy, so anyone who is interested might want to book a site!
I've invited the whole 2022 cohort to Moab. There have been a few, "I'm such an introvert, I couldn't possibly do it" comments. I've decided to post reply to them here.
I am a mass of contradictions. I'm the most extroverted introvert you're ever likely to meet at a meetup, or maybe anywhere. Or maybe I'm the most introverted extrovert. I just know I need a lot of each in my life, which is weird. DH is more introverted and was reluctant as hell to attend Moab 2021. Nevertheless, I persisted.
Here's the good part: every one of the Moab 2021 Meetuppers described themselves as introverts and every damn one of them was FAN-TASTIC! Perhaps we are more comfortable because we know we will be with our tribe. I can't explain it, but it was a magical experience. I felt like I'd made more friends in a few days than I had in years. I'm literally counting the days until we can do it again. Better still, DH had a great time too, and he "knew" no one going into it.
If you can make it work, I strongly encourage you to do this thing. Oh, and the scenery doesn't suck, either.
Finally, a big shout-out to @NinetyFour, who makes the Moab Magic happen. I'm not worthy to carry her walking poles.
Thanks,
@Dicey , for sharing your memories of last year’s meetup! I’m so glad you and Mr. Dicey had such a great time. I didn’t really do much of anything, except start a thread! I lucked out that fantastic people attended and the group dynamics worked so well. And the Moab vibe and amazing scenery did the rest!
@Dicey maybe you are an ambivert.
+1 on the magical experience.
I’m so glad you will be there again to help create more magic!
(Hmm…wondering if I should add the word “magic” to this thread title…)
Thanks for the heads up on this @NinetyFour and others. Too early to make plans (not sure what I'm doing tomorrow yet ;-)) but am PTF. While I'm a bit of an introvert I generally enjoy being with people...for awhile. But I am mostly deaf so makes it harder to interact. I usually just smile and nod along with the conversations like an idiot and occasionally say stupid totally non-related stuff so I'm fun that way ;-).
@spartana As you know, my elusive friend, I have some significant hearing loss as well. Hiking with friends is challenging for me, as I’m always asking them to repeat what they said. Or I just give up, which means I miss all the fun conversation. That said, I really really really hope you can join us this year. You and I can sit around the campfire and smile and nod together!!! :)
My husband was willing to give Moab a go in 2021 despite his (mostly unstated) fears that he would not like it because he does not participate in the forums, and we are a bit older, way more indoorsy and far more sedentary than many of the Moab campers who were planning to be there.
But having participated last year, he has been gung ho to go again this year, and regularly asks after 94, oneday, Dicey and Mr. Dicey. My husband is generally a good guy but can be very critical sometimes -- but came away from Moab saying, '"your friends are really nice; I wish they lived closer."
We had a blast with the group. The folks in the group did some things together, others separately. As I've found in the two CM*TO camps I've been lucky to attend, the kind of people who tend to participate in Mustachianism and in these meetups tend to be really decent and thoughtful people, and tend also to be willing to enjoy each others' company but also accept each others' differences and need to do some things separately or in smaller groups sometimes. Honestly, it felt to me a bit like being back in college -- with really interesting people, some of whom had very different experiences and interests and skills, but were willing to share and just enjoy being together and learning about each other.
94 and oneday are much more athletic and much better walkers and hikers than we are; but we all enjoyed a trip to Arches National Park together. We drove and at various stops they gambolled up mountains and on boulders while DH and I stayed more tamely near the car, but I think we all had a blast. Another day we hit a little art fair. Many coffees in town were had. I'm trying to walk a little every day so I can build up my stamina after some serious foot problems over the past years, but I've gotta say, everyone was patient with me when I was slow.
The minute 94 pinged me about doing another Moab meetup in 2022, I asked my husband, and he was SO EXCITED to go. (As was I.)
This year we are making a concession to age and staying in a local hotel, mostly because late night plumbing is a necessity for us; but we are so looking forward to the campfires and to some outings. Anyway, there's a bit of "choose your own adventure" about this, but unlike some other group vacations we have had (viz., with my English cousin), the vibe at Moab was very relaxed, very "chill" and very accepting. Honestly, getting a chance to just hang out and enjoy in person some of the regulars in the Journals section was the best part --- it was like meeting old friends, only they were new ones, and it is such a delight to get to know some folks who are just such great people.
Thanks for sharing your reflections about last year and your plans for this year. It’s a great sign of success that EVERYONE who attended last year plans to attend this year!!
You are totally right—that this meetup has a “choose your adventure” vibe, and is very relaxed and chill. That is definitely by design (or lack of design). I’ve always just wanted it to be a fun and relaxed meetup, during which the participants can be as active, outdoorsy, and adventurous as they want. “To each their own” is really the overall guideline, I guess—in terms of accommodation, structure, planning, and activity level. And, thus far, it has worked pretty well, I think.
@Embok you convinced me. I was having the same concerns as your husband. Now I have to figure out where to stay, if I want to try car/small tent camping or hope to share a cabin with someone, or what. Is everyone staying in a certain area?
I assume I'd regret bringing my small, very well behaved dog.
This is very exciting news—I’m so glad you are planning to join us! Most of us will be at the
Sun Outdoors Moab Downtown campground. Not sure if there are any cabins still available, but you can go to the website or call directly. And yes, there is a hostel a couple miles south of the campground, and scads of hotels.
@CanuckExpat and his family had two cute little dogs at our first meetup. And the dogs didn’t seem to cramp their style. But when the family went out for adventuring, they were able to leave the dogs in their RV. Note: I’m pretty sure dogs are not allowed on the trails at Arches or Canyonlands.
I'm really hoping we can roll this in to my need to return to Seattle in the Fall for my 6-month hip surgery follow-up. My appt is currently August 9th but if I can move that to the end of the month I don't think Moab in mid-October would be out of the question. We'd visit some family in Arizona in between.
I am extremely disappointed to learn that the State of Utah has turned the free dispersed camping areas of Willow Springs Road and Dalton Wells into a state park now requiring fees to camp. $15 per night is a great price but it's just one more place you'll never again be able to stay on a whim. I would love to see the Needles District of Canyonlands! Delaying the start of the trip by almost a month would make our baby one month older which would probably make it easier to car camp across the country with her. It's a strong consideration!
It would be great if you could join us!!!!
My guess is that those areas were getting trashed by all the people who camped there for free? In any case, Moab is definitely changing, and I think they are wrestling with all kinds of issues that have arisen because of all the growth and because of all the new outdoorsy people created by Covid!!
I love love love Needles. Just an amazing place for red rock hiking. You’d love it!
