This was our first trip to Moab and it was great. We met our kind benefactors, Colette and Tom, when we were in Yachats, Oregon. What started as an innocent question by Colette in Yachats turned into her taking on the task of organizing and sponsoring our trip to Moab. Apparently Colette has a reputation for helping those in need, from stray cats, dogs, a buffaloe, children, and now wandering monks. When she called her husband to tell him she is “bringing the monks home,” he replied, “of course you are.” As it turned out they did a great job and so many wonderful people came together to make our visit a memorable one.

I think I am going to call Moab the land of the healthy and hardy people. It seemed that everyone one there either rides, bikes, hikes, jogs, or eat organic and meditate. I was introduced to this healthy group by receiving vice-like, bone-crushing handshake from Tom (has to be one of the strongest 67 year olds I have ever met). Then there is Jose, king of the river guides, solid as a rock and peaceful as a dove. Jose of Griffith Expeditions and Karla of Canyonlands Field Institute even hosted us for a day of river rafting on the Colorado River (Westwater run). That was a sight, monks in shorts, ball caps, and sun glasses! Allyson was kind enough to take some pictures and I have them posted.

Marc, the master of the conch shell (he can hit some notes!), made this great video slide show of our visit. You can view it by clicking on this link -

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