After we left Dead Horse Point State Park, and left the 8 inches of snow behind, we drove to Moab Utah so that we could visit Arches National Park. I have to admit that I had a bit of “desert fatigue”, and I suggested to Kim that we skip Arches. I’m glad we didn’t!
This place is one of the most beautiful parks we saw. Especially just before sundown (around 4-5pm), with the sun hitting everyhing at extreme angles creating shadows and unexpected highlights.
The first day, we settled into a really nice RV park, we went out for lunch (an awesome pizza buffet). and headed over to the visitors center to get the lay of the land (and Jr Ranger books). This is another beautiful visitors center. The movie was top notch, and the exhibits really educational. I’ve never been more interested in Geology, it’s truly fascinating what can be learned by studying the rock layers.
After the VC, we decided to drive into the park and check out the “Windows” area, a well known grouping of arches not too far from the entrance. On the way, we stopped at “Balanced Rock”, whic is an amazing HooDoo in the park. We arrived at the Windows just near dusk, and got some great photos, climbing around the windows. Kane and Kat really had a blast climbing around and we all loved the sunset and shadows at Windows.
The next day, we did the most famous hike in Arches, “Delicate Arch”. It’s actually quite a hike up a long rock ledge, and they set up the trail really well, not allowing you to catch a glimpse of the arch until the very end. It’s a magnificant sight! A huge arch, at the edge of a cliff (actually between a cliff and a huge bowl shaped formation). Well worth the hike. On the way up there, we saw some petroglyphs, and an old homestead. It took nuts to live out here for sure.
The next morning, Kim and the Kids ran back up the the VC to get their badges, and we headed south to the Grand Canyon! Moab is a really nice (classy touristy) town, and the combination of Canyonlands, Arches, and Dead Horse Point State Parks makes this area a nice destination for a weeklong trip.
