Sigh. 2025, 2026

Went to Utah with my son Alex at the beginning of September. We camped up in the La Sals, which was kind of fun. I'd never really been up in those mountains before. They're not the most beautiful I've ever seen, but they were nice. And cool.

He really wanted to see Moab. I was worried about the weather in Moab at that time of year, but we actually lucked out and had a pretty decent time. I took him to see a bunch of things; Goblin Valley, Little Wild Horse slot canyon, Mexican Hat, Factory Butte, Islands in the Sky and Arches, which is what he wanted to see the most. Our Delicate Arch hike day ended up being perfect; cool windy weather that kept us from overheating being out there exposed on the slickrock in the sun. 

I didn't take a ton of pictures, because I was just there a year ago too, but it was fun. What about 2026?

I've got a few things in mind. 

• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore - My wife has kinda sorta planned this with some friends of ours. It wouldn't be a camping trip, because my wife doesn't really like camping, but it'd be a fun outdoorsy place to go.
• Red Castle basin - In the Uintas. We'd camp probably two, maybe three nights at the Lower lake, but go see the "regular" Lake, the Upper Lake and climb up to the ridge to look into Oweep Basin, and maybe also take a day going around the east side of the mountain to see East Red Castle Lake, etc.
• Mill Castle Trail  - in the West Elks Wilderness near Gunnison Colorado. I've actually done this wilderness, but not this trail, which is too bad, because I think it's the prettiest part. It's a modest hike; only 7-8 miles one way and then back again. One or two nights.

My son will probably get married this summer too—well, it's not probably, although the actual date and location is still TBD. I'm guessing late May or early June, and either in Utah or Colorado. Depending on the snow at the time of year he gets married, I could do one of those two western trips as part of the same trip as his wedding.