Seniors Stop In The Adventure Capital Of The West

 Moab, the “Adventure Capital of the West,” is a 4 hour drive from Salt Lake City, 5 hours from Denver or 6 hours from Las Vegas. Moab is a convenient jumping-off point for seniors traveling southward to the Four Corners region and Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park or to Glen Canyon National Recreation area and portions of Lake Powell. One of my daughters finds Moab (pop. 8,900) to be one of her favorite towns…and I’ve taken her to France seven times.

Surrounded by some of the most stunning red rock landscapes on earth, Moab’s unique combination of small resort town hospitality, beautiful scenery and the cool waters of the Colorado River has made it one of the most sought after destinations in the southwest.

The Biblical name Moab refers to an area of land located on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Some believe that the biblical Moab and this part of Utah were both “the far country”. However, others believe the name has Paiute Indian origins, referring to the word “moapa” meaning mosquito. Me, I kinda like the mosquito version.

 Seniors Find Adventure Around Moab

Senior travelers will find Moab in Grand County, in eastern Utah, reknown for its many opportunities for outdoor recreation in stunning natural settings. Folks come for whitewater rafting, kayaking, canoe trips on the Green River, mountain biking, road biking, rock climbing, BASE  jumping, and hiking and backpacking the Canyonlands and Arches National Parks. Others come to Moab seeking adventure like motorcycling, ATV riding, 4×4 Exploring and taking a Hummer Safari.

Deadhorse Point State Park is located at the end of a mesa 2,000 feet above the Colorado River, on the edge of Canyonlands National Park. Legend has it that several mustangs were left in a corral and they died of thirst with the Colorado River in sight 2,000 feet below.

After Deadhorse, plan a visit to Hole N” The Rock, a most unique home, carved out of a huge rock in Utah’s Canyonlands Country. This historic 5,000 square foot home and unusual gift shop and trading post are open all year.

 Seniors Enjoy Historical Mining Town

Moab’s economy was originally based on agriculture, but gradually shifted to mining. Uranium and vanadium were discovered, potash and manganese came next, and then oil and gas. In the 1950s, the discovery of a rich deposit of uranium ore south of the city coincided with the advent of the era of nuclear weapons and nuclear power in the United States, and Moab’s boom years began.

TripAdvisor has lined up 83 things for seniors to see and do in and around Moab. Moab’s ideal climate has made it a magnet for year-round outdoor events and festivals, and the downtown business district has risen to the occasion with a great variety of quality restaurants, shops, and galleries.

Seniors, set your GPS for Moab and explore the plethora of amenities this town has to offer. -jeb