Bluff to Moab, Utah – 8 October 2025
Moab, Utah — Adventure, Heartbreak, and Determination
We left for Moab full of excitement — not only to explore our final 2 Mighty Utah parks – Canyonlands and Arches, but also to support our friend Simon, who was taking on the Moab 240: a 385 km non-stop endurance race through deserts, canyons, slickrock, and two mountain ranges. The cutoff time? A gruelling 117 hours.
Once we settled into the KOA, we headed to Simon and Julie’s cabin to reconnect. They were busy preparing a Paprika Chicken dinner for the crew, so we offered dessert duty. Shortly after, Shirley arrived — having flown from Victoria and driven five hours from Salt Lake City — completing our little support team.
The next day was check-in for Simon. We watched as he went through his medical assessments and registered, while we explored the race expo, checking out gear and soaking in the energy. Afterward, we took a scenic drive along Castle Valley Road into the La Sal Mountains. Towering red cliffs framed the road while the Colorado River flowed alongside — like a postcard come to life.
Suddenly, Castleton (Castle) Tower appeared — an astonishing 400-foot sandstone monolith shooting straight up from the desert floor. It has starred in countless westerns and is one of the most famous rock-climbing objectives in the world. We snapped photos until we ran out of superlatives, then headed back for a relaxing evening and dinner at the cabin.
Race Day
The start line buzzed with adrenaline. Athletes from around the world — strong, focused, and determined — waited under a banner flanked by international flags. Soon, they were off, and Simon disappeared into the vast red landscape looking calm, ready, and excited.
We grabbed lunch and returned to the campground, but by now my back was becoming a real problem — constant throbbing paired with sharp pain whenever I sat or stood too long. Still, that evening we drove to the first aid station to support Simon.
I was designated the “Greeter”: meet Simon, check him in, escort him to the crew, help with food, and get him back out again. It went well, and spirits were high. Unfortunately, a permitting issue meant crews weren’t allowed at the next station — instead runners had to rely on drop bags. We wouldn’t see Simon again for a day and a half. And to make matters worse, the weather turned grim — cold, wind, and relentless rain.
A Tough Turn
Despite resting, medication, and avoiding car rides, my back spiraled downhill fast. On Sunday morning, I had a massive spasm that caused me to briefly black out — terrifying. I realized with a heavy heart that I couldn’t continue with the crew.
Then another blow: Julie received a call from Simon. His shoes had stayed soaked for too long, and without crew access to help him change them, he had developed a blister across the entire ball of his foot which was causing all the skin to peel off his foot — incredibly painful and impossible to push on with. The crew drove out to the next station gathered him up and took him home.
He handled the disappointment with such resilience — already talking about returning next year to conquer the race properly.
Time to Heal
The next day, Derek took me to urgent care. The nurse practitioner prescribed muscle relaxants and gave me exercises to rebuild strength. Slowly, things began to improve — but I still had to be cautious about sitting, driving, and walking.
We said our goodbyes:
✈️ Shirley to Salt Lake City
🚗 Simon & Julie on their long journey home
We remained in Moab for a few quieter days — a gentle walk here, a short scenic drive into Arches National Park there — just enough adventure to enjoy the beauty without pushing my limits.
Before everyone dispersed, we all shared a farewell dinner at a local Mexican restaurant, already imagining a “redemption year” in the future.
Reflections on Moab
Moab truly surprised us. It’s Utah’s answer to Whistler or Banff — an adventure hub with a laid-back vibe: cafés, galleries, and gear shops at every turn.
It’s also an off-roading paradise. From our RV site we watched UTVs, ATVs, and dirt bikes roaring out at sunrise — weekend warriors ready to tackle miles of slickrock. The sandstone offers incredible traction, letting them scale near-vertical climbs that look impossible. The red dust, rumble of engines, and sheer scale of the landscape gave Moab an unmistakable energy.
Massive cliffs, deep canyons, and thousands of arches sculpted by the Colorado River over millions of years — this place feels like nature showing off.
I was disappointed we couldn’t fully explore Arches and Canyonlands on this visit, but the lesson was a valuable one: I may be hiking-fit, but it’s time to be core-strong too — so I can keep chasing all the places we dream of seeing.
Moab — we’ll be back.
