Day Four

Woke up in Escalante about 6 a.m., which would be 8 a.m. our time, and quickly packed the car to head back across to Boulder and Capitol Reef. Two of the three milks we bought as the convenience store was closing the night before were expired. So we left them on their front door step and headed out of town with one bottle of chocolate milk and our bag of Chips Ahoy. Everything in Escalante is closed on Sundays.
Capitol Reef was all that we had hoped it would be. Simply gorgeous. First we drove about 12 or 15 miles down Burr Trail, a famous road that takes you from Boulder out into the middle of the wilderness and then in a couple of different directions. We didn't try the whole road because we started seeing a lot of snow and had already had one harrowing experience. Plus we had limited time. We drove back out to Boulder and then headed to the main visitors center for Capitol Reef. We watched a film, stamped our passport and then did the scenice drive. Took two short hikes. Loved it.
Then I took a nap while Steve drove us to Moab and Arches National Park. He managed to somehow shave about 20 minutes off our estimated time of arrival while I was sleeping. We stopped at a rest area on the freeway and had what must have been our 5th snowball fight of the trip. It's almost like hanging a sign around your neck that says "we're from Florida." Still Rosie loves it.





Arches was spectacular. All snowed over and frigid cold but gorgeous and fun. We did two hikes on snowy frozen trails where we were literally slip slidin' away but it was totally fun. The best part is that most of these places are nearly deserted so we're skipping the crowds which makes us very happy.
Tonight we're enjoying the free hotel room at the Comfort Suites I've earned with our Choice Privilege points.