Moab Element Hotel

We had a lovely warm evening yesterday. We enjoyed chicken brats with saurkraut for supper. At dark We put everything away so we could be prepared for the morning rain. The half moon didnt allow us to see as many stars, but it was still warm enough that Phil turned off the electric blanket.

I awoke at dawn to the patter of raindrops. We made our morning coffee, got dressed in the bathroom at the campground and packed up.

Despite the rain the 40 minute drive was still stunning. We left our camper in the hotel parking lot and went to breakfast at the Moab Diner across the street from the Cactus Jack's Diner from yesterday. It was a good breakfast and $5 cheaper. I had an omelet covered with green chili sauce.

Afterwards we went to the Moab city museum which told the story of a small ranching community which became a Uranium boomtown overnight. In the 1950's 25% of the world's uranium was from this region. Prices declined and left only a town without an industry when all the mines and mills closed.

The old mining trails are now a draw for mountain bikers, off roaders, and all kinds of outdoor enthusiasts. Even the popular White Rim road in Canyonlands was originally an ore road for a huge uranium mine at the confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers.

We're sitting in the lobby of the hotel now waiting to check in. They were full last night, so no rooms ready early.

We'll take a shower and maybe do laundry this afternoon. Depending on the rain and any flooding tomorrow, we'll maybe drive to the Needles District of Canyonlands.Read more