Photo: A Delicate Vortex - Robert Garry
From Page Arizona we drove to Moab Utah, through Monument Valley. Last summer we stayed in Moab at the same motel, and I wanted to make another visit to Arches National Park. Here is one of my photos from last year that explains why I wanted to make another visit to this special place.
Photo: Landscape Arch - Robert Garry
On entering the park, one of the first stops is Park Avenue. This time however we drove to the end of the trail to take pictures. John jumped out of the car and headed off into the dessert as if it were calling to him.
Photo: John's Walkabout - Kini Garry
It was getting hot early. Really hot. Bring water they say. We thought we were good. More on that. We were into trying to capture the park and we haven't even seen our first arch.
Photo: The Tower of Babel - Kini Garry
Photo: The Park Avenue Hike - Robert Garry
We finally got back into the car, and headed to the Double Arch. There is so much to see that you have to make choices. Last year we came here and I thought that John would really enjoy seeing this arch. From the parking lot you can go to several arches but we took the trail to the Double Arch.
Photo: The trail to the Double Arch - Robert Garry
Photo: The Double Arch - Kini Garry
At this point we were very pleased with how our day was going! But we were about to take the hike from Hell!!! Kini had hurt her knee before we left Hawaii, but she said it was well enough to make the hike to our next arch, the Delicate Arch, the iconic image of Utah. As my planning goes we arrived about noon. Still we had lots of tourist adrenaline and decided we could make the hike in the heat of the day. By the way this bit of insanity was in part created by the fact that the park service was kicking everyone out of the park early so that they could work on the roads. Big penalty. We had a bottle of water and my Arizona gensing tea. Charge!
First you arrive at the Wolf Ranch cabin.
Photo: Inside the arch - Kini Garry
Photo: The Wolf Ranch Cabin - Robert Garry
Five people lived together in this tiny cabin! A woman, her husband, their two children and Grandpa. Not far from the cabin were some Ute petroglyphs.
Photo: Ute Petroglyphs - Robert Garry
Now comes the hike. We saw people collapse along the trail. One old guy had no water and was in major distress. Kini gave him my tea to drink. Nice gesture, but he finished off my liquid supply! The trail is only over a mile. But the heat is the problem. Finally we made it to our destination, The Delicate Arch.
Photo: Almost there - Robert Garry
Photo: Under the Arch - Kini Garry
After several hours we began our way back. No water now. But plenty of amazing views.
Photo: Little Tree - Kini Garry
By the time we got back to the parking lot we were too exhausted to go anywhere else. Onto Salt Lake City.