MurkTravels

overview / intro

It was hot !
Like it only got down to 80 at night. And the clear sky allowed the sun to blaze during the day for 100+ degree days.
However that definitely added to the environment. The other worldly landscape that is Arches and Canyonlands national parks in eastern Utah (and a bit of the Colorado National Monument in western Colorado) is what I image a remote desolate trip to Mars would be like.

We took the 4Runner way off road to find a campsite by a dry river bed but with some large cottonwood trees to provide some shade and cover. Through the extended weekend, we also took the 4Runner on some rocky back roads to explore the challenging driving conditions that make the Moab area such a destination for off roading enthusiasts. Even taking "easier" paths with my limited off roading experience, we still got to experience driving on narrow ledges with hundreds of feet of drop off just past the tires, and some slick rock chunks that couldn't even be considered a road. That absolutely needed 4WD low speed and even got a tire off the ground for some 3-wheel driving.

The first day in the park was spent near the entrance. There is basically one main road in the park that goes out and comes back through the entrance. The closest hikes are for park avenue, Lasal mountain overlook, and courthouse towers view. A little further and about half way along the main park road is one of the most popular stops. It includes Balanced Rock and then two shorter hiking paths (less than a mile). One goes to Double Arch and one loops around the North and South windows arches. To complete the day, we also went to the next stop to go on a hike (about 2 miles) to see the well known and photographed Delicate Arch. After an afternoon nap in the heat, we also headed back into the park to catch the sunset from different viewpoints and behind different rock formations.

The second day was completely spent at the farthest point of the park. There you can start a long hike for the Devils Garden trail. It's about 10 miles for the full experience and provides well over a dozen arches and unique rock landscapes. Near there is where the only main campground is within the park (there are a couple back country tent sites) and that provides access to a few other small hikes to additional arches.

Overall, this is one of the most unique national parks in the world with an environment unlike anything you will normally see. Highly recommended.

Recommend:

• Devil's Garden trail
• Delicate Arch
• Double Arch
• the Windows

Trip Map

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums
USA Utah album

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Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

overview / intro

While I'm working remotely (mostly from the couch at home) and while flights are cheap (within the US), we decided to take advantage and visit some friends and family in Long Beach, California.

We were able to work from there fine during the week and then enjoy the beach at night and over the weekend. We got in some stand up paddle boarding, running, swimming, and walks around the canals of Naples Island.

Recommend:

• restaurants on 2nd St
• the local beaches (hidden beach if you can find it)
• running / biking along the beach and shore

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

overview / intro

For the long Memorial weekend, we decided to get some dispersed camping in. That's where you find federal lands that you can drive over off-road paths to get to primitive camp sites that are far away from others and real close to the natural wilderness.

We headed towards the Utah and Colorado border to get away from big cities and people too. The first couple nights we stayed within the Ashley National Forest. It's in north east Utah with lots to see and do. There were dinosaur tracks, arch hikes, man made reservoir, gorge, recreation area, forest, mountains, and some great views. Also, there was time to roast some marshmallows.

Then we headed to the Colorado side of things. We went through the Dinosaur National Monument for some hiking and camping. On our way back to Denver, we swung by and drove through the Colorado National Monument too.

Recommend:

• Harpers Corner in Dinosaur National Park
• Drive through Colorado National Monument & stop at all the view points
• Drive through Douglas Pass on highway 139
• Red Canyon visitor center - hike and view over Green River
• Moonshine Arch hike
• Red Fleet State Park

Trip Map

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums
USA Colorado album
USA Utah album

Moonshine Arch (Utah)

Red Canyon & Green River (Utah)

State Park (Utah)

dispersed camping site - scenic, quiet, and so peaceful (Colorado)

Dinosaur National Monument (Colorado)

Independence Canyon (Colorado)

Red Canyon (Colorado)

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

overview / intro

During the spring, we decided to escape some of the lock down blues and venture into nature for some hiking.

It's a great time in the spring to have cooler temps (but you warm up when hiking) and to see some snow cover, but it's not too deep so that you can still walk through it. The skies are usually clear and bright during this time too. We saw a handful of people on each hike, but there's so much space that everyone could keep adequate distant and enjoy the nature within their own groups.

White Ranch Park:

• in Jefferson county near Golden
• hiked part of the Belcher, Maverick, and Longhorn trails
• https://www.jeffco.us/1437/White-Ranch-Park/

Deer Creek Canyon Park:

• in Jefferson county near Ken Caryl
• hiked Meadowlark and Plymouth Mountain trails
• https://www.jeffco.us/1208/Deer-Creek-Canyon-Park

North Table Mountain:

• in Jefferson county near Golden
• hiked the Mesa Top and Table loop trails
• https://www.jeffco.us/1427/North-Table-Mountain-Park

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums
USA Colorado ablum

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

overview / intro

After visiting Israel, we extended our trip into Egypt. We ventured from the Red Sea beach area across the desolate Sinai peninsula, and into the large metro of Cairo.

There is so much history here with the ancient kingdoms of Egypt and all the artifacts, both large as pyramids and as small as tiny jewels and carved art. Unfortunately, regional and global events have devastated the countries economy. A large and visible portion of the population is in extreme poverty, and their is little in the way of social services to help individuals or even keep the city clean.

They are building a new Egyptian musuem near the Giza pyramids. But we got to tour the original one in the main city area. In addition we saw a couple other museums, and local craft stores dealing with papyrus and rug making. Our time was short, but we saw some highlights and got a feel for the city.

Recommend:

• Egyptian museum
• Memphis museum
• Giza plateau for sites of the pyramids
• local shops that make rugs, parchments, or other products by hand

Trip Map

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums
Egypt folder

Giza

Memphis

Egyptian museum

Red Sea resort

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

overview / intro

Dad and I took a family and group pilgrimage to the Christian holy lands in Israel. Our agenda took us from the capital Tel Aviv to most parts of the country. We stayed up north around the Sea of Galilee, got to check out the Mediterranean Sea coast on the west, drove through part of the West Bank and Golan Heights, stayed in Jerusalem, and then headed south to the Dead Sea and Red Sea.

There is an amazing amount of history in this region of the world. Lots of the cities are just layers of civilizations built over the previous ones. You can see a large influence of Europe due to the Roman rule for so long, and currently there's a very international feel to some of the large more culturally modern cities. Although it seems like most of the Israeli's prefer to socially separate themselves and resist any change.

It's definitely recommended, and was very helpful that we had a knowledgeable guide to lead us around and provide more insight.
Afterward we added on some time in Egypt.

Recommend:

• Caesarea historic site
• Beit She'an ruins
• Dead Sea float
• all of Jerusalem: 4 quarters, Israeli museum, Yeshuda market
• Sea of Galilee area

Trip Map

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums
Israel folder

Roman Ruins

Sea of Galilee

Dead Sea

rural view

urban view (Jerusalem)

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen

Looking Back

2019: It's been another fun year, what else can I say. I continue to travel the world and experience awesome unique cultures. I also travel a bit around the US for work, family, camping, or other adventures. I continue to push myself with physical and mental challenges, as well as trying new potential hobbies and building up my skills.

This year was marked by a lot of newness. I have a new lady in my life, the lovely Sharon and her 9 year old Lucien (and Felix the cat). I got to witness a cousin get married and bring in a new family member. I met my brand new niece Cara, a newborn life from Renee and Matt Klein. I took dancing lessons, handgun safety classes, passed work certification tests, and had a first sailing based vacation. There was new tattoo work, new camping and hiking adventures, new add-ons to the 4Runner, a new home, a new pet, and new entertainment. I completed my first ski trip and successfully went down a mountain (a short green run, but didn't fall on one of the attempts, so I'll consider that a victory). Also met new co-workers, friends, and neighbors. Played some new board games, card games, and Xbox games.

I look forward to more of the same in 2020. Already have a trip planned to Israel. Hoping for others to either France, Morocco, Philippines, and around the US. I hope to continue to enjoy work, family, and life in general.

Activities

Things that happened in 2019:

Big Travels

• Japan : Tokyo - Kyoto - Osaka - Nagoya - Hakone
• Norway : Oslo and the Lofoten region (sailing)
• Sweden : Stockholm & Malmo
• Denmark : Copenhagen

Quick Trips

• Austin Texas - for a wedding
• Boston Massachusetts - for work training
• Chicago Illinois - for a concert weekend
• Colorado Sand Dunes National Park camping
• Des Moines Iowa - for family
• LA California - for Sharon's work training
• New Mexico - end of road trip to start the year

Challenges

• Leadville Trail marathon
• 14er hike - Gray's & Torrey's
• 14er hike - Blanca peak
• Intro to pistol and handgun safety classes
• Intro to Salsa, Bachata, and Zook dancing

Events & other activities

• Breckenridge retreat weekend
• Chicago Open festival : concert of Tool, System of a Down, Prodigy, Meshuggah, Gojira, and 9 other hard rock / heavy metal bands
• Denver concerts: Gojira, the Roots, Slipknot
• Denver RAW artists - support Gabby
• Denver Travel and Adventure show
• Elitch Gardens amusement parks
• Jury duty
• Movie on the Rocks (Red Rocks)
• new family: Cara and Chelsie
• volleyball leagues
• Ski trip to Eldora
• Universal Studios Hollywood amusement park
• Water World water parks
• work certification : Agile Product Owner

Pictures

see more on Facebook Murk Travels albums

Links

MurkTravels Vimeo - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Youtube - videos of my trips & entertainment
MurkTravels Facebook page - pictures, posts, and regular updates
MurkTravels Facebook photo albums
MurkTravels Instagram - my attempt at artistic travel images
MurkTravels Travel Map - all the places that I've been and the things that I've seen