> [!hero] > ![[assets/images/overlanding/moab_may_2025/20250525_150318_chorro.jpg]] > >> # The Squad Ventures to the Promised Land >> **📍** Moab, UT >> **🗓️** 05-22-2025 → 05-27-2025 >> **🛻** Tacoma >> **🐕** Noctis (Morale Officer) >> >> *I looked at my window and what did I see… a lovely little chorro' staring at MEEEEE!* This log covers our unplanned trip to Moab — where we slept, what we ate, what we explored, and the moments that stuck. See? Not every trip has to be meticulously planned. Go for it! ## Route Log - [[#Stop 1 — Jack's Creek Campground|Day 1 — Jack's Creek Campground]] - [[#Day 2 — Somewhere in Moab Trying to Grill Carne Asada in the Wind|Day 2 — Grillin' Carne in Moab]] - [[#Day 3 — Noctis Meets New Friends Then Gets His Ass Kicked in Swingarm City|Day 3 — Swingarm City]] - [[#Day 4 — Shafer Trail & La Sal|Day 4 — Shafer Trail & La Sal|]] - [[#Day 5 — A Casual Day Hike and One Last Night|Day 5 — A Casual Day Hike and One Last Night]] ___ ## Day 1 — Loaded Up the Wagon and Hit the Road That was probably the quickest we have ever prepped for a 5 day trip. I knew we were probably forgetting some stuff. Oh well. #### Stop 1 — Jack's Creek Campground *No idea this place would be so special — just needed a break from driving…* *Until the sunset… and the sunrise? GOOOOLL-Y.* *Never been a sunrise kinda guy, but… buh-ro… I'll admit it… it was beautiful…* *Noctis laid quietly, observing the waterfowl… thinking about killing them.* *Not a bad first day and morning.* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  >  ___ ## Day 2 — Somewhere in Moab Trying to Grill Carne Asada in the Wind *We got to Moab in the afternoon and found a place to chill for the evening.* *We had the place to ourselves until the RVs and dirt bikes poured in.* *No problem for the Yota. We moved to a more secluded area.* *It was not an excuse to drive the truck.* *We found a nice spot alone, then grilled carne asada in the wind.* *No rice or beans — still so good.* *We packed up bright and early and made our way to Swingarm City.* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  >  ___ ## Day 3 — Noctis Meets New Friends Then Gets His Ass Kicked in Swingarm City *Noctis made lots of new friends then got his ass kicked.* *I guess some dogs don't appreciate having their crotch sniffed.* *Lots of Toyotas and cool people.* *There wasn't anything for us to really do here so we bounced in the AM.* *You should have a dirt bike if you are gonna have fun here — cool place though.* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  >  ___ ## Day 4 — Shafer Trail & La Sal One of the guys at Swingarm told us to do Shafer Trail so we took his word for it. Honestly I thought it sounded kinda wack, but with no itinerary, why not? ### A Casual Afternoon Drive Up Schafer Trail *Just a laid back drive up Shafer trail, listening to the Procharger whine.* *It's a trip looking down as you climb up.* *Sometimes the boring things are worth doing.* *The Mormons are wild calling this the promised land.* *We had a quick lunch at the top then headed to our next location.* *We just needed to figure out where that would be.* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  >  >  ### Wine, Stars, and a Campfire in La Sal *We had no clue where we were going to stay for the night — wingin' it.* *That's not typically how we roll — we like schedules, itinerary, control...* *There were trails everywhere so we picked one and found a cool spot.* *This was the best night of the trip. We both just wanted to chill and have a fire...** *We sat in the Stargazers and sipped on wine — you admitted I was right about these chairs.* *I got tipsy with one glass — that's how it should be.* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  >  ___ ## Day 5 — A Casual Day Hike and One Last Night We woke up with the birds chirping but there was no rush. We took our time and decided to explore a little more on foot. ### The Worst Breakfast I Ever Had *Nothing like breathing fresh air and sippin' coffee first thing in the AM.* *Good call on those pancho-style wubbies you found — cozy.* *These beef franks are exquisite! The fridge was almost empty!* *We decided to hike around for a bit before taking off.* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  >  ### Last Camp and a Smoked Buhba *This was the last night of the trip. We were all excited to get home.* *Noctis was spent but still wanted to play Frisbee, but he needed rest.* *The universe blessed us with one last sunset while we ate dinner.* *Noctis slept pretty much the whole way home.* *That was fun!* > [!gallery] >  >  >  >  ___ > [!hero] > ![[assets/images/overlanding/moab-may-2025/20250526_190001.webp]] > >> ## Noctis' Final Thoughts >> *You guys did well. I am really starting to rub off on you guys!* >> *It's about time! You are learning to live in the moment.* >> *You don't need to plan everything — sometimes you gotta pee on what's available.* >> *You gotta just go for it.* >> *Don't ask if it's safe — ask if it's worth it.* — Logged in the Family Vault · Archived for David Sleeps Outside