Arches National Park

We had three destinations we wished to visit on this quick visit to the Moab Utah area. Dead Horse Point, Canyonlands and Arches, which was our last stop.

If there was a word that captured the essence of all of the trite words like "Wow, Amazing, Unbelievable and Impossible," I would use that word to describe Arches. We took dozens of photos, none of which do justice to the geologic wonder of this place.

There is a world of geological study that could be done in this area. All of the grandchildren interested in rocks should be given a chance to come down here. Just the vocabulary that they use in trying to describe these phenomena is an education--spires, pinnacles, mesas, buttes, arches--to name a few.

The Rangers (whose hats we love) recommend several days to see this park. Since we had only a few short hours, we picked two features we did not want to miss. The first was "Balanced Rock".

Here is Gramma reaching out to touch this 60 foot high, 60 ton rock, seemingly balanced several stories in the air.

The other feature we wanted to see was "Delicate Arch". It has been called the symbol of Utah and it is on Utah license plates. The hitch is you have to leave the car and hike a ways to see it. Here is the sign describing the trail options.

Becca and I started up one of the trails, labeled "semi strenuous". It took us a long time to hike it. We stopped often to take pictures and rest. Here is a rock Becca saw and named it "The Eagle". We don't know if there is an official name for it.

Interesting Becca story. The trail we were on was only about a mile in length but it ascended about 3/4 of that mile. In the steepest parts of the trail, steps had been fashioned out of the rocks. Becca has always had trouble with steps of any kind. So, I would say, "Shall we head back to the car?" She would pause and look up the steep trail which other climbers were taking. Then she said, "Walker says I can do this. " She would take my hand and on we went. Parts of the trail were near a steep drop off. It was frightening to her, but she never gave up.

Here we are at the summit of this viewing trail. Becca is resting here. (And I am resting on an opposite rock.) Becca looked down at the valley below from where we came. She then said, (I'm not making this up) "Walker says next time we use a helicopter"

Here is my very own Delicate Arch photo taken from this stop

Going down the steps were again difficult for Becca, but she was pumped. As we met new hikers going up. Becca announced, "We made it to the top!" When we finally got back to the parking lot, Becca raised both of her arms in celebration. "We are winners!" she called to her Mom who had waited in the car for us.

What a spirit that girl has!