MY UTAH AVENTURE
I thought of the saying “you regret the things you didn’t do in life, more then the things you did do”… so I said yes.
June has been a busy month, with lots of traveling. I went to Utah to look at a place for one of my Women Only Trips, and it was wonderful!
As I was driving to the Sorrel River Ranch, I kept thinking, there is no way to describe this to people – the vastness of the area, where you can see forever in any direction and the most beautiful red mountains.
Sorrel River Ranch is located in Moab, Utah. To get to the ranch, I turned off the main highway – a two lane road – on to an access road and drove for 17 miles along the Colorado River. I kept thinking this can not be as beautiful as their brochure looks – but it was. There was the Sorrel River Ranch, on 160 acres, sitting by the Colorado River and surrounded by 2,000 ft red cliffs and buttes. Sorrel River Ranch is the only member of the Small Luxury Hotels of the World group located in Utah and has received 3 World Travel Awards.
The friendly staff took me to my room, which had a deck looking out over the Colorado River, and the large windows overlooked red mountains. The room had a sitting area, kitchenette, and a bathroom with a window over looking the river. Individually designed log and rustic wood furniture gave the room a southwestern feel. After seeing the room, my friend and I decided to order room service and sit out on our deck. The sunset against the red mountains, beautiful! The staff was friendly and helpful making our stay even more pleasurable. www.sorrelriver.com
On the way to breakfast, I noticed that O.A.R.S., an adventure travel company doing rafting, kayaking and multi-sport adventures, had an office at the ranch. I had worked with them as part of an Adventure Travel Program and was impressed by their staff and the quality of their equipment. I said to my friend, I know the owner of this company; I need to call him to put together a program for my group. As I was seated for breakfast, I looked over at the other table and there was George, President of O.A.R.S, who was also visiting the ranch. After breakfast I met with George and James, who was at the ranch office, to talk about my group. Such a small world.
I kayaked for the first time and on the Colorado River with rapids (ok little rapids)…with the help of the wonderful staff of O.A.R.S., Zack and Mary, off we went down the river. How it all started, there were six of us picked-up at the ranch and taken up river, for what I thought was a Dory Ride (a wooden boat with a guide), but on arrival Zack said you are the ones that reserved the kayak (thanks George) – that follow the dory? I thought this must be a mistake, 
I thought we were just going to try it, not be kayaking for two hours down the river! At this point, Zack said “you don’t have to, if you don’t want to, you can ride in the boat” well, I thought of the saying, “you regret the things you didn’t do in life more then the things you did do”… so I said yes. Now what I didn’t tell you, I was traveling with a friend and didn’t have time to ask her what she thought (this was a two person kayak) so I just took her down the river with me – and yes, she is still my friend.
I have a confession, as the oldest person of the six, it was fun to be in the kayak watching the much younger ones in the dory, knowing they wish they were having the fun we were having, and how they shouldn’t judge people by their age! I think Zack was pleasantly surprised that he didn’t have to pull us out of the river – we made it down on our own! We are still laughing over it all. And a very special thank you to Mike…a nice man who took pictures of my kayaking adventure – I now have proof that I did it!
The next day, Mary (O.A.R.S.) was back to take us on a 4 x 4 Tour of Canyonlands National Park. I was very impressed by her knowledge of the geology and national history of the area…and her driving! You need to have a guide and driver for this tour, as most cars couldn’t navigate the roads, on the edge of the mountains. www.oars.com
Back at the Ranch, you can visit the Fitness Center and full service Spa., or sit by the pool, with a good book. If you want to be more active, Sorrel River Ranch is renowned for its horseback riding and has lessons and trail rides. Or, there is hiking, biking, rafting and touring the National Parks. So much to do…imagine the possibilities!
Note: Look for my Women Only Trip, for next spring. I’m working on the arrangements now.