Spent the Day in Arches National Park!

After a good cooked breakfast, packing our lunches, and loading the CRV, the 4 of us were on our way to Arches NP by 8:30.  It was about 50 degrees but sunny and beautiful.

In 2010 when Ken and I did a road trip with Dan and Jackie Hagy to Arches, we hiked the shorter trail to Delicate Arch and Ken always said it wanted to go back and hike the longer trail where you could stand right under the arch.  So, that was our 1st stop this morning.  It was a perfect morning for the 3 mile round trip hike.  There is an elevation change of 480 feet and the 1st half mile is a well-defined trail.  Upon reaching the slickrock, you climb steadily and it levels out toward the top of the rock face. 

Very distinguishable petroglyphs that were carved by the Ute
Indians between 1650 - 1850. 

And now the climb begins!

Look at all those folks climbing up the rocks!

Oh my, I guess it is our turn to start the "rock climb"!

But 1st I have to build another cairn!  I want people to
know I was here!

It is so much fun to do these hikes with special friends!

 Before you get to the Delicate Arch, the trail traverses a rock ledge for about 200 yards.  It is considered strenuous, but we all found it invigorating and exciting.  

We are getting up fairly high!

Maybe we should stay to the inside of the path!!

When you go around the final corner you are amazed by the gorgeous sight - the Delicate Arch!  It took us about 3 1/4 hours round trip but we probably spent at least 1/2 hour just sitting at the top and enjoying the view.

It was amazing!

Of course we needed a picture of us standing
under it!

Noela and Ernie were sitting on the wall between the 2
rock formations!  I enjoyed talking to a couple from Florida
who were traveling for 2 weeks!

Noela is busy taking photos with her phone!

How do these rocks stay balanced????

What a magnificent sight!!

Then it was time to hike back to the car!

Hiking along the narrow path near the top - some
steep drop offs!

Ernie, the little monkey, decided to check out
the area from a little higher!

There was another arch at that height!

Lots of swirl type designs in this large rock formation!

From there we drove to a picnic area near the Campground to enjoy our packed lunches. Some very nice rock formations along the way -

We had more beautiful scenery surrounding us.

We drove through the campground in the NP and then took the 2 mile trail to Tapestry Arch and Broken Arch.  Again, it was another great trail and the arches were breathtaking.  

This is Tapestry Arch!

That is "Mama" Tapestry Arch in the middle.  The children
on either side are hoping to become "big arches" someday!

This is Broken Arch!  What is up with that????  It's not broken,
but it does have a rather large "crack"!

We made it!!!!

By this time we were all getting tired and decided it was time to go back to the CG.  We stopped for some groceries and returned to Waldo by 5:00.  I started working on the blog and Ken did dishes.  

We made dinner and at 6:30 went over to Ernie and Noela's RV to eat together. Then we discussed our plans for tomorrow - Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands NP!  We are excited to explore those two areas!!!