One might hear that America's best idea are the National Parks, as is often corroborated by Debra that her one "activity" to experience the USA would definitively be to see the National Parks. Last year, we blasted off with adventure Brittni's great quest to see all the national parks along with Debra and myself where we got to visit Rocky Mountain, Yellowstone, and Acadia. This year we've added Kevin, and our first stop, Arches National Park.
Kevin amidst Partition Arch
Driving to Utah was a relatively uneventful 6 hours, but arriving in the town of Moab is as interesting as our first experience in the desert could be.
Thunderstorms and Rock shops
Photo Credit: Brittni Thomas
An afternoon lightning storm scoured the skies before we could get to our first campground, thinking we might forgo our first night camping, but after some textbook tex-mex, the famous Moab Rock Shop, and a calm night, we were relieved to get to Arches at sunrise.
Beautiful sunrise of Balanced Rock
Entering Arches is full of wondrous and magnificent rock formations that are unlike anywhere in the world, a common theme on this trip, along with how pictures can only do so much to show the magnitude of these geological snapshot, but we do what we can to show what inspires us to hopefully inspire you.
Our first half day was jam packed with hiking the Devils Garden Loop, but by the time we were finishing up, the desert heat was upon us.
The first Fin in the Devil's Garden Loop
Landscape Arch
Another view of Landscape Arch
First glimpse of Partition Arch
Partition Arch
A wondrous window in time of the expansive desert
Navajo Arch
Unusual landscapes of the many fins
Double-O Arch
More Fins
Dark Angel
Private Arch
Finishing up the Devils Garden Loop through Fins
We decided the heat of the day was for recharging ourselves after a image filled morning.
Hanging out in the local Moab park, filled with green grass and a community pool!
All this, was to prepare for a longer night up to the famous Delicate Arch, an unfortunate misnomer with respect to Landscape Arch, whereas somewhere along the way, the names got switched.
Our first petroglyphs, of which ancient people left behind
A short climb up some slick rock gave way to the amphitheater where Delicate Arch sits.
Sunset on Delicate Arch
The view westward of the sunset, a rich fiery orange and red spectrum
Alas, waiting for roughly 4 hours, the milky way rose, and Debra and I snapped as many photos as our amateur-selves could. Little did we know, that this week, including the last few and to come, are some of the best nights to have a milky way rise since it rises in the southeast as well as being fortunate enough for clear weather.
My best shot of Delicate Arch, lit up by some fellow photographers
A late turn in, for an early start the next day towards 3 huge parks, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Bryce National Parks. Stay tuned for more of our epic road trip along the Grand Circle!
