MONDAY, SEPT 14

MONDAY, SEPT 14:

      A marvelous day! In so many ways! It rained fairly hard the night before . . . this is their “monsoon” season, we learned – when they get nearly all of the 7-9 inches of annual rainfall during late summer. In fact, there were still rain clouds on our early morning drive up to the Devil's Garden area once again. Gave the landscape a dramatic look.

 

                                                                     

But the clouds very soon gave way to beautiful blue sky. Maybe it was our imagination, but it surely seemed that things looked greener and fresher this morning after the rain.

 

                                                                                 

 

     We knew that we wanted to hike to Landscape Arch this morning. Because of its length, it's one of the most well-known arches in the Park. And easy to get to . . . a totally lovely, absorbing walk alongside monoliths and fins (the slender protrusions of eroded sandstone which, when chunks of rock give way to the elements and tumble out, will be the genesis of a new arch).

 

                                                                

                                                                         

 

 

 

      As we made a turn in the trail, there was the spectacular ribbon of rock, longer than a football field. We just lingered a long time and gazed and wondered and admired, from different angles and perspectives. 

 

                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

Bill hiked a little bit up the slip rock which continues the much more strenuous section of this trail, wanting to capture a second arch hidden from view by Landscape Arch. 

 

                                                                 

  

      On our way back, we took a couple of small detours which led to Tunnel Arch

and Pine Tree Arch.

                                                                

                                            Inside the arch, getting to see the texture up close:

       

It's always surprising how, when you get off the beaten path (literally!) just a little ways, you often have the entire scene all to yourselves.

 

 

 

 

      Enjoyed another picnic at the exact same spot as yesterday. Not nearly as many picnicers today – past the weekend.

      And then traveled on back to the very southern end of the Park – actually, barely inside its southern border – where there is a wall panel of ancient Native American artwork. In 1980, after centuries of giving silent testimony to the lives and culture of an ancient culture, in one night it was vandalized and nearly destroyed. The NPS did an outstanding job of restoring it as best they could, but that single act of desecration stole the vibrant colors forever. Bill had to zig-zag his way up the rocks to get to the wall to see the artwork.

 

                                                                

 

 

                                                             

 

       

     Back up the short drive to the Visitors Center, where we viewed the excellent film on the geology and ecology of this Park and picked up a DVD.   While we were there, a tremendous thunderstorm broke loose, and it poured outside. It would stop, and then pour again; it repeated this cycle about 3 times until it looked like enough blue sky overhead to assure that we wouldn't get caught in a deluge on our way to the truck. This pattern of rain is very typical here – a huge downpour, and then sunshine a few minutes later! 

 

 

 

 

 

     On our final drive north on the Park road, we encountered a magnificent rainbow. Would we be out of line to interpret it as a blessed benediction on our visit here to this marvelous place of awe and wonder?

 

                                                                 

 

 

 

 

     And our final hike – not even a hike, really, just an easy walk around the base of Balanced Rock. Besides marvellng at this impossible-appearing fragility of this formation, it was fascinating to observe the changing sky above our very eyes.

 

                                                                     

 

 

 

 

On our drive out of the Park, a last stop at the overlook of Park Avenue, where we began our scenic adventure here.

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                

And what should we spot but several mule deer leisurely walking down below us! Not surprising – it was nearing dusk, their habitual time to come out, and tonight there were lots of “potholes” filled with drinking water for all the creatures – seen and unseen – which inhabit the Park

                                                                            

 

     How glad we are that we decided to make Arches our last stop on this memorable trip! If a visit here doesn't inspire you to echo the words of the hymn, “. . . when I, in awesome wonder, consider all the worlds Thy hands have made . . .” you need to have your pulse checked! And really, that sentiment applies to so much that we've been able to see and experience and participate in these last 3 months . . . from the desert to the ocean to towering Redwoods to sublime sun-baked rock. We are beyond blessed. 

 

       

      Tomorrow we leave here and travel as far as we can through Colorado.