Deep in the heart of Utah lays a destination of adventure, culture, and history. Romantics looking for active vacations can also find epicurean delights for the discerning palate.

Moab, located in Grand County, is a gold mine in the west that has been discovered by many for its adventure, but has a hidden quality that few visitors are just beginning to enjoy.

It is not just a summer destination, but a year round place that can be enjoyed by all pleasure seekers. Winter and early spring are the best times to find solitude in the area parks and quiet contentment at local ranches.

Colin Fryer, owner of Red Cliffs Lodge and Castle Creek Winery, has made the decision to run his lodge year round. Located on the Colorado River, Red Cliffs Lodge provides the perfect setting for a romantic getaway. King rooms overlook the river where occupants can enjoy a bottle of the winery’s award winning libations.

“This is not just a job, this is my dream,” commented Mr. Fryer during a recent interview. He is now expanding that dream with newly constructed cabins on the river, complete with kitchenette, fireplace, and soaking tub for two. What a romantic dream.

This season the on-site winery is offering two specialty wines, Outlaw Red and Lily Rose White. They are a must for any wine connoisseur. The Lily Rose White is a blend of their Chardonnay, a fruity dry white, and the Chenin Blanc, a semi sweet white. This was my personal favorite.

Near Red Cliffs Lodge, located on the Colorado River Scenic Byway, is Sorrel River Ranch. Sorrel River Ranch offers lodgers elegant rustication on the river. Each room offers views of the Colorado River and seating for two to enjoy the evenings in a relaxing atmosphere.

Sorrel River Ranch has fine dining on-site as well as a spa that offers couples treatments. Couples looking for relaxing getaways can’t go wrong with either property.

For couples seeking a bit more activity, Moab offers 4X4 Hummer rides with High Point Hummer Tours, day trips and other adventures with Tagalong Expeditions, or just enjoying a day of discovery visiting wineries, shopping, and searching the areas for Native American rock art.

If choosing to explore on your own, at the junction of Main Street and the Colorado River Scenic Byway, romantics can partake of a local tradition, drinking from Matrimonial Spring. Legend has it, that any visitor who drink this water is sure to return to Moab.

The Moab Official Website offers a calendar of events, a complete listing of lodging, dining, and activities. If you want to escape the summer crowds, winter and spring are a good time to make a visit.

How to Get There
You could drive, but I flew Salmon Air, which runs daily flights during the summer and has other scheduled flights the rest of the year. The small planes are intimate and offer ample opportunity for taking aerial photographs of the beautiful landscapes. www.salmonair.com

Where to Stay:
Best Western Moab www.bestwesternmoab.com
Red Cliffs Lodge www.redcliffslodge.com
Sorrel River Ranch www.sorrelriver.com

Where to Eat
Fiesta Mexicana
Moab Diner
Poplar Place
Pancake Haus
Eddie McStiff’s
Smitty’s
Sunset Grill
Sorrel River Ranch www.sorrelriver.com

What to Do:
Tagalong Expeditions
High Point Hummer Tours
Moab Official Website www.discovermoab.com
Dead Horse Point State Park
Canyonlands National Park www.nps.gov
Arches National Park www.nps.gov