Arches National Park

Just 5 miles from Moab is Arches National Park, the worlds largest concentration of natural sandstone arches. And some other formations.

At every turn, new and exciting formations amaze and entertain. I have cleverly framed the early morning moon to add even more mystery to the picture.

A lot of the formations have names based on what they remind you of. This one is called three gossips. It really looks like women standing close and sharing secrets.

This one didn't have a name we could find so we'll call it big balancing rock. Boy, I could write this stuff. It is about 50 feet high. Amazing, right?

I took this picture early in the morning and the sun was on the wrong side so a silhouette was all I could do. This is the iconic side of Balanced Rock and is one of the symbols of the park.

So we walked around to the other side and shot another picture. It doesn't look anything like the other photo does it. This just shows that the formations may remind you of something with one view and another altogether with another view. Notice how I got Grammy to stand under it and not me.

We came back later in the day and took another photo. A bit better than the first silhouette.

From this angle don't you wonder how this thing even stays up? OK, I'm done with this formation, promise.

The park is over 76,000 acres and has over 2000 arches. I knew it was going to be a long blog but figured to do it up right. Then we went on our first long hike to see the most famous arch, Delicate Arch. A 3 mile hike doesn't sound like much until you get an hour in and are only half way there. Can you see the parking lot way back in the valley?

I'm not as young as I used to be so half way up the slick rock part of the climb I needed a rest.

It took Grammy a bit to figure out where I went. Once we get past this slick rock walk we're almost halfway there. See the top, that's where the climb really starts.

Now we get to walk a narrow path up the cliff.

 Grammy won't let anyone get between her and the rock wall. But she made the climb; what a trooper.

It was a long hike but standing in the arch it seems worth the walk. Meet Delicate Arch.

Here is another view. You can almost see that behind the arch a cliff falls straight down for hundreds of feet. Most arches are not that scary.

Well, that was a lot of fun but another hour of walking to get back down. It was about this time that I realized that not only wouldn't we be able to blog about all 2000 arches, I wasn't sure I could do another one at all.

Just to get our minds off the hike, we diverted over to check out some petroglyphs. These were done around 1650 it's estimated. They're pretty clear after all these years.

Along the same trail is a log home built in the lake 1800's by a civil war veteran from the east. He lasted 20 years then moved back leaving his mansion for posterity. I can't imagine anyone trying to live in this desolate area.

There's no doubt the scenery is beautiful, but you can't eat it.

This is called the Devils Garden. A hell of a place to farm I guess.

Our feet are starting to get the feeling back so we went for a short walk there. The rock formations are even more impressive this close up.

I bet you thought there weren't any other arches based on my blog so far; I just saved the best for last. This is the Double Arch. Isn't that neat? In the lower foreground, there are people on the rocks. If you can find them you'll see how huge this really is.

There is a set of arches called the windows. This is the north window; can you see the person in the bottom of the opening?

This is the south window. Isn't that a lovely picture. I missed my calling.

 I'm sure you're pretty upset about not getting to see the nearly 2000 arches I promised but the day is waning and we need to get back and get ready to head to our next stop tomorrow. Hopefully there will be new adventures to keep your interest. Stay tuned.

Not Just Utah

A nice rest is in order and after checking out a few less than desirable motels, we came across a beautiful lodge in Bluff Utah. An excellent supper, sleep and breakfast got us ready for another fun day of exploring.

An hour or so south in Arizona is Monument Valley. It's on Navaho land and is the location of many Hollywood western movies.

This is probably the most iconic monument in the valley and can be seen in a lot of old westerns and even in new commercials. The first film made here was Stagecoach by John Ford and starred John Wayne. John Ford went on to make dozens of movies here. Can't you just see a wagon train being attacked out there?

Parts of Back to the Future 3 and Thelma and Louise were made here. It's neat to see this area after growing up on the movies that were made here.

On the way back to Utah, we passed through the town of Mexican Hat. This is where the name came from. How does that rock not fall down? It's hard to determine scale but the top rock is about 30 feet across.

Our next stop is Four Corners. It's the only place in the U.S. that 4 states corners all meet at one point. By standing on one foot I am in 4 states at once. Actually 5 states if you include the state of equilibrium.

Grammy prefers the states of Colorado and Arizona apparently. One more thing to cross off our bucket list.

We're not done yet. On to Hovenweep. In the 1200's this area was inhabited by ancestors of the Pueblo Indians. A number of structures were built, eventually abandoned and parts are still standing.

Among all the man made towers and buildings, some industrious inhabitants turned this hollow rock into a very comfy home. All it needs are a couple of lawn chairs and a BBQ.

All kinds of these round towers were built here, most right on the edge of the cliff.

Imagine, almost 1000 years ago these towers were built without metal or modern tools. The rocks used as bricks were shaped by chipping with sharp stones. They did a good job; not much we're building today will be around in 1000 years.

Well after all our day of exploring it's time to head back to Moab and Harvey. Along the way we came across church rock. I thought it looked more like a bell but it's all about interpretation I guess. We never went over but there is a door in the front, maybe it was full of church goers.

Also along the drive home we came across this huge arch. It's called Wilson Arch. It's hard to tell scale but that big bush on top is about the size of Harvey, now that's pretty big I think. Well, we're almost home so until tomorrow, see you then.

Natural Bridges and Valley of the Gods

Our next day of exploring the hinterland in Utah takes us about 3 hours south of Moab to Natural Bridges National Monument. We've just got to get through this notch first.

Natural Bridges is know for 3 main stone bridges. The first of these is Sipapu, a Hopi name meaning "Place of Emergence" believed to be the entranceway where the ancients entered the world. Or, "don't fall off", there's a bit of debate about the literal meaning.

Here's a closer look. Bridges are stone arches where water runs under the arch. They're called arches when no water is present.

After all the driving and walking, it's time for lunch. Why do you always have a good appetite in the outdoors?

On to the next world famous bridge. This one is called Kachina Bridge.

Again, a closer view. Kachina is named for some rock art symbols found there that resemble figures found on kachina dolls. Or is Hopi for "don't fall off". 

The last of the 3 famous bridges is the Brooklyn Bridge. Sorry, google gave me the wrong info. It's actually Owachomo Bridge. Which is a Hopi word for rock mound, that bump on the very left side of which I cut most of it off cause I didn't know at the time that was important. To me this is the most spectacular; it's long and much more slender. Hope you can make it out. I don't know why they didn't call this one "don't fall off". I guess they assumed no one would be stupid enough to try crossing it.

Our next destination is Valley of the Gods which is a few miles south of here. But, to get to the valley, we must climb down off the top of the plateau we're on. Fortunately a narrow 4 wheel drive gravel descent road is provided.  

Go 5 miles an hour, ride your brakes and hug the cliff side, piece of cake.

We are down and in the Valley of the Gods. That is the wall we descended. I'm glad we don't have to go back up that way.

The road through Valley of the Gods is also a 4 wheel drive only dirt road, impassable when it's wet. Once we're on it I can see why, but the scenery is worth it.

This formation is called "Lady in a Tub". Kinda looks like it doesn't it.

I couldn't find the name for this formation in the brochure but I really think it looks like Winnie the Pooh and his Hunney pot. If you can enlarge the very central formation, you'll see what I mean. Or maybe it's just me.

This is part of the trail we're driving on. This was a washout until it was repaired enough for us off roaders a couple of days ago. A big rain had washed it out; apparently part of the system that had given us the snow in the mountains a few days ago. It's amazing how all of this is connected somehow.

The 17 miles of the Valley of the Gods trail has taken us about an hour and a half. And I loved the drive. It's the first time that I've really taken the Jeep on an off road adventure worth it's salt. Grammie, not quite so excited. Now to find lodging worthy of this adventure and live to blog another day. PS, if you can zoom in on the formation sort of central left, it's called setting hen butte. I've seen a setting hen and that's a very apt name for it. More Utah to come.