arches + vail + boulder (🚗 trip day 3)

This was the third day of our road trip and maybe the most beautiful! We started the morning at Arches, only a ten minute drive from Moab. We fortunately were ahead of all the National Park traffic, and drove up through a beautiful drive and then did the Windows hike, which was short but a positive way to fit in some movement before spending the day in the car.

From Arches we drove on! We stopped at Grand Junction, Colorado first, noting the massive increase in highway patrol officers upon crossing the state line. I got a Dutch Bros coffee — only my second time getting one and I give it a positive review on the coffee and the staff service and price! We drove another two hours, continuing our listen to Murder with My Husband, and then stopped in Vail which was literally Switzerland from the flags to the outrageous prices.

We parked for only an hour and then went to a yummy sandwich place before getting ice cream and walking along the river. There was an intense weather change from the heat of Arches to the cool snowy chill in Vail, and I can confidently say I prefer the latter. I would love to return in the winter time and would definitely recommend a visit.

The drive from Vail —> Boulder was through beautiful mountains all the way, and in Boulder we stopped at Trader Joe’s for a few more snacks, then Illegal Pete’s for dinner and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some buckeyes. By the end of the day I was about as tired as I think I may ever have been.