Welcome to the highly anticipated Part #3 of our epic US Road Trip adventure! If you’ve been following along, you know our journey has been anything but ordinary. We kicked things off with an unexpected car incident in the breathtaking landscapes of South Dakota, navigated our rental car through the majestic Rockies of Colorado, and finally, as darkness fell, we rolled into the enchanting town of Moab, Utah. Little did we know, the next 24 hours would unfold into the most unforgettable chapter of our entire trip. While words might fall short, and even our drone footage might not fully capture the magic, we tried our best, and I truly hope you’ll experience a glimpse of the wonder through this post and accompanying video.

Discovering Moab’s Magic: A Dream Stay at Red Cliffs Lodge

As we made our way into Moab under the cloak of night, a subtle sense of its inherent beauty permeated the air, despite the absolute darkness obscuring any visual detail. This is often one of the most exciting aspects of travel – arriving in an unknown destination after sundown, not knowing what incredible vistas will greet you with the morning light. Our awakening in Moab, with the stunning view from our room at the Red Cliffs Lodge, surpassed every expectation we might have harbored. It was, without a doubt, a moment of pure, unadulterated awe.

Finding Our Oasis: The Dog-Friendly Charm of Red Cliffs Lodge

The quest for dog-friendly accommodation near Arches National Park proved surprisingly challenging. Options were scarce, but the moment I stumbled upon the Red Cliffs Lodge, I knew we had found something special. Despite their dog-friendly rooms being fully booked for our planned stay, a hopeful call to the lodge yielded a truly gracious offer: a complimentary room for the night. While this generous gesture was incredibly kind and I wanted to be fully transparent about it, I must emphasize that my rave review comes from genuine admiration. This lodge stands out as one of the finest hotels I’ve experienced in years, and I have absolutely no doubt that we will be returning. Its unique location along the Colorado River, nestled amidst towering red rock cliffs, offers an unparalleled sense of tranquility and connection with nature, making it an ideal base for any Moab adventure, especially for those traveling with furry companions.

Here are a few glimpses of the exquisite room and the expansive property:

Anniversary Celebrations, Media Dumps, and a Golden Sunrise

Our arrival on Saturday night coincided with a special milestone: C and my 5-year anniversary. Instead of elaborate plans – a week-long cross-country road trip felt like celebration enough! – we opted for a relaxed dinner at the lodge’s own Cowboy Grill, while our loyal travel companion, Bodhi, enjoyed a well-deserved slumber back in our comfortable room. Post-dinner, we indulged in our nightly ritual: the “media dump.” This involves meticulously transferring all images and videos from our phones, cameras, and drone onto a hard drive, a critical step to preserve our precious memories. With our digital treasures secured, we promptly fell into a deep, uninterrupted sleep for a solid ten hours. And then, we woke up to this breathtaking panorama…

The moment we saw the sky ignite with color, we instinctively knew we had to capture this magnificent sunrise with our drone. We ventured a short distance from the lodge property, finding the perfect vantage point. What followed were some of the most spectacular images of our entire trip. Seriously, witnessing the sun ascend over the iconic red rock formations of Moab is an experience etched into my memory forever. Every fiber of my being yearns to return to Moab and relive that extraordinary moment. The scale, the colors, the sheer majesty of the landscape bathed in the morning glow – it’s something a photograph can only hint at.

After our exhilarating drone session, I managed a quick yoga stretching session, shaking off any lingering stiffness from the long drive. We then headed straight for Red Cliffs Lodge’s legendary weekend breakfast buffet. Imagine every possible breakfast food you could crave, all gathered in one bountiful spread. It was an overwhelmingly delicious and memorable experience. To the entire team at Red Cliffs Lodge, who played an integral role in making our – and Bodhi’s – Moab experience truly exceptional, our deepest gratitude. We are already counting down the days until our next visit!

Arches National Park: A Bucket List Destination Fulfilled

Refueled and energized, we packed up our car and set our sights on Arches National Park, a mere (and incredibly scenic!) 20-minute drive away. This was a significant moment, marking the first and only National Park on our trip where we actually encountered a queue of visitors – a testament to its immense popularity. Arches has resided at the very top of my travel bucket list for as long as I can recall, and I am thrilled to report that it did not disappoint in the slightest. In fact, my only lament was the limited time we had to explore its wonders.

Iconic Views: Delicate Arch and Balanced Rock

Our visit naturally included a pilgrimage to the famous Delicate Arch… well, sort of. Knowing a full 4-mile hike wasn’t feasible with our tight schedule, we opted for the convenient viewpoint. From there, we embarked on a mini-hike to a spot that, arguably, offers one of the finest perspectives of this iconic natural wonder. I’ll let the images speak for themselves! The sheer scale and delicate balance of this arch, sculpted over millennia by natural forces, is simply mesmerizing.

Following our encounter with Delicate Arch, our journey led us to Balanced Rock. Standing beneath this gravity-defying formation, a sense of profound awe washes over you. The sheer artistry of nature, creating such an improbable landscape through wind, water, and time, is truly humbling. It really forces one to consider the vastness of geological time and the relentless power of natural processes. This profound reflection lingered with me throughout the remainder of the day, putting life’s daily concerns into a broader perspective.

Charting a New Course: Onward to Capitol Reef National Park

It was with a heavy heart that we reluctantly departed Arches National Park. Our ambitious itinerary called for us to reach Capitol Reef National Park, and then Boulder, Utah, all before sundown. Initially, our plan included Canyonlands National Park, which lies about 30 minutes south of Arches. However, time constraints forced a crucial decision: Canyonlands or Capitol Reef? Logistically, Capitol Reef made more sense as it aligned better with our westward trajectory. Besides, we knew we’d be back to Moab and Red Cliffs Lodge someday, and Canyonlands would be a perfect addition to that future adventure.

The Unexpected Majesty of Capitol Reef’s Approach

Our decision to head west towards Capitol Reef was met with absolutely no regrets. The landscape along this route, particularly as we drove into the region surrounding Capitol Reef, evolved into arguably the most spectacular of our entire trip. The roads were blissfully clear, offering a sense of profound solitude. We were surrounded by an otherworldly panorama of natural hoodoos and monolithic rock formations, each one more striking than the last. It was an irresistible invitation to pause, and naturally, our drone was deployed once more to capture the unparalleled beauty unfolding around us.

Roadside Refreshments and Martian Landscapes

Just a short walk, merely ten feet to each awe-inspiring structure, surprisingly worked up quite an appetite. Given our literal “middle of nowhere” location, our dining options were, to put it mildly, limited. For a humorous take on how I managed to make an Arby’s lunch at a gas station work for us – complete with a crucial tip: never skimp on the curly fries – you’ll definitely want to check out the video! It’s a testament to road trip ingenuity.

From there, Bodhi, our discerning canine, chose the most improbably “sketchy” spot for a pit stop. What ensued was an impromptu, bizarrely futuristic photoshoot that felt less like a dog walking break and more like a high-fashion editorial for “Vogue Mars.” Green River, Utah… you certainly possess a unique charm all your own.

Anticipation Builds: What’s Next on Our Utah Adventure?

The next leg of our incredible journey promises even more breathtaking vistas, including further exploration of Capitol Reef National Park and our arrival in the charming town of Boulder, Utah, and beyond. I’ll draw this post to a close here, as the sheer volume of footage and experiences is too vast for a single article. So, be sure to stay tuned for Part #4, which will be released next week. And mark your calendars for Part #5 – there’s a massive announcement coming that has me absolutely bursting with excitement to share with you all!

As always, for a real-time perspective on our adventures and some of the most stunning, crazy footage from this segment of the trip, don’t forget to watch the accompanying video. If you enjoyed our journey, please give it a thumbs-up – your support means the world to us!