More Red Rocks and the magnificent Arches Part II

More red rocks......

The Arches National Park contains the largest concentration of natural stone arches in the world.  The rocks are smooth to the touch and brilliant shades of orange and red.  The Arches made without the help of man, are various shapes and sizes due to water,  extreme temperatures and underground salt movement (the park sits on an underground salt bed).  Between erosion and weathering new arches are being formed and old ones are being destroyed. It is astonishing to see how some of these rocks are sitting.  Further down this page you will see the "Balancing Rock".  The picture says it all.

 

We made our trek to the Visitor Center, collected our information.....Gabe's Jr. Ranger book, maps and schedule of various events and headed on our way up the mountain. A very steep drive up with lots of switchbacks, tight curves and narrow roads.  Then it opened up at the top.  This is what we saw.....

 

We parked and it was time to go climbing.........

 Tina started with them.....


But after they lifted this rock she wandered off on her own.....

                           

The boys made it pass the 1st boulder........

Close to the 2nd boulder (off to the left of picture)

Made it past the 2nd boulder to the base of the mountain!

This is the mountain they are at the base of:) Can you see them?? 

I found Tina! 

 

We drove some more and found Arches out each side of the window....should of probably zoomed on this one, but you can still see it pretty clearly....

 

 

 

We were headed to "Balance Rock".  Remember what I told you earlier......well this is it.  Amazing.

 

It is just sitting ontop of this tower of rocks.....

Gabe is trying to hold it up!

 

  Found a crevice to climb into

 

A picture of the Petrified Dunes.......

 

 Crumbling of rocks that sheered off the side of the mountain.....

It looks like a stiff wind could blow this rock off the ledge!

 Another trail to take........

 I decided to sit this one out.......

 

 The "Needles"

 

 

A view of "Delicate Arch" from an upper view point. It was a 3 mile hike to see this arch up close and take your picture underneath it. You can see the people lined up waiting, they look like ants on the horizon. We decided not to go that route and took another trail, only a mile round trip, to see the arch from the other side. It was the path less traveled and gave us a great perspective.

 

Our hike to get up to the view point....nice to have the stairs!

 At the top of the trail!  We made it!   Forgot the water though:(

 Dehydrated and taking a rest from the hike......

 

The sun was going down and we were all tired.  The day got progressively warmer, when we left it was cool and overcast outside!

This little boy was worn out at the end of the day:)

Jr. Ranger Oath!

 

 

We were told by the Ranger that there was going to be a special Star Gazing event Sunday night in the park at 900pm!  They were going to have Rangers stationed in certain areas with Telescopes.  Why tonight?  They were expecting meteorshowers!!!  So they said to bring your lawn chairs, blankets and coco and join them!

 

We were going rafting down the Colorado River at 1100am on Sunday, great way to end the day back at the park!

I can sum up the Arches in one word, breathtaking. I really liked Canyonlands, but the Arches, I loved.

Canyons and the Red Mountains Part 1......

The art of climbing and the use of patience…..

You pretty much know when you wake up in the morning what type of day you are going to have. I believe that it is the attitude that you start with in the morning that sets your day. If you start out with a positive attitude than you are armed with a better outlook than someone who starts out with a negative attitude. If something happens and it doesn’t involve a loved one or one of us being terminally ill or hurt or being stranded on the side of the road in the middle of winter or 120 degree heat, than really it isn‘t so bad, it can be worse, so count your blessings.

Contrary to Joe’s belief that no matter what attitude you have, if something goes wrong your going to have a crappy day, regardless of your happy friggen outlook. He also believes that the cup is half empty, not half full. I on the other hand believe life is what you make of it. That is why I believe we have lasted so long, opposites attract!  We have tested each of our theories throughout this trip together.

Case in point when we left Cortez Utah campground Joe noticed a puddle of something under the camper. He pulled out of our parking spot and drove down to the Wal-Mart about 3 miles away. Parking in the far corner of the lot away from the daily shoppers, we walked to the back of the camper to check the engine. Why didn’t we check at the campground instead of driving away? Apparently laying on the ground on rocks isn’t as comfortable as asphalt, which is why we were at Wal-Mart. He knew it was Anti Freeze. Just had to figure out why and where.

Joe found it. Unfortunately he couldn’t fix it. He needed someone to sartor where the leak was coming from.

After a few choice words of frustration, Joes not mine, I suggested that he call a local truck company. He did and was told that they couldn’t help him, but had another guy that possibly could, Dave, he was at the local garage. So Joe called him and explained the situation. Unfortunately Dave’s shop couldn’t fit our camper. More hand gestures from Joe.

So instead of telling us sorry, good luck on your own, he said that he would jump in his car and head down with some tools to see what he could do. Joe hung up and we just stared at each other. Really? This mechanic, who doesn’t know us from Adam, would drive down here to the Wal-Mart parking lot and help us out??? A few minutes later Dave arrived with a bucket to drain the Anti Freeze into and some tools.

Half an hour later he had the Surge Tank out and was headed back to his shop to fix it. No money had been discussed or given yet. Within the hour Dave was back, put the tank in, poured the Anti Freeze back in it and closed up everything. A total of about two hours including drive time. The total bill? $66.00. If we had brought the camper somewhere the current rate for Labor per hour is $99.00. PLUS parts, Hazardous material, Shop fees, etc. I couldn’t believe that was all he charged. We were stuck, he knew that and could of charged us a lot more money and we would have had to pay it. So we gave him cash, thanked him and were back on our way. All smiles! See my point? If we had been crabby miserable negative people than I don’t believe we would have had such a good experience with Dave. I win!  Well you know what I mean, it isn't about winning or losing, it is about how you play the game.  And yes I believe in Karma. It is what makes my world go round.  I will get bitten by it sooner or later I am sure! 

We were on our way before lunch, giving us plenty of time to get to our next destination! 

On the way we passed some really cool rock formations.  It is amazing how out of nowhere these formations pop up.

It looks like a cupcake!

 

A random arch along side the road that people where stopping at to take pictures!

That night we had campground reservations at the Portal RV in Moab Utah. We were staying for 3 nights and had a lot planned. There were quite a few campgrounds in the are with good ratings, so then I narrowed it down by cost. They were one of the least expensive. Which is saying a lot considering it was $49.00 a night. We had full hook ups, WIFI and laundry. If it wasn’t for the location, I wouldn’t pick it again.

　

                                            

 

 
                    

　
　

　

The park was really just a big parking lot with gravel spots. Not unattractive, just very plain. Until you look up and around you. We were surrounded by big red mountains of rock. It really was a beautiful location.

We really wanted to camp in either Canyon Lands National Park or at the Arches National Park, but the maximum camper length was 28ft.

　
There were two sections, the South side where there was an in ground pool, spa, bath house and koa pond. And the North side, where there was a bath house, laundry room, “swimming pond” and “fishing pond” (they led into each other so I wouldn’t really call it 2 separate ponds!) On the North side there was also a big green area that was designated for Tents. We were on the North side. When Joe asked why we didn’t’ get to stay on the nice South side, I explained that we didn’t have a new enough camper. You couldn’t have any camper older than 10 years old and it had to be a Class A camper. Basically they discriminated against the lesser classes of campers. That is not me being bitter. I don’t understand it, considering they only had a few campers there and the other lesser side had about a dozen campers. They could of made more money since the South side was about $10.00 more per night.
　

　

There were trees sporadic throughout each of the 2 parks. Which while we were there the temperatures where in the low 90’s and the UV was at a 10. The sun was so HOT! We know all about humidity from Florida and can handle the wet heat. But this was dry hot heat. We would of loved to have access to the swimming pool. Which was fenced and had a gate code to get in, trust me Joe thought of jumping the fence. Gabe and I walked around the swimming pond and kept on walking. You couldn’t see the bottom as it was a murky grey green color, there were frothy patches of something along the top and jumping bugs skating across it. No way were we going swimming in there! Unfortunately I don’t have any picturesL

　

We checked out the bath houses. There was a building that the door opened up onto a long hallway. Off of that hallway were 6 doors. Behind those doors where the showers. They were unisex. Interesting. Didn’t understand until the next day why that would have been important. They were old and needed up dating, but they were clean and usable.

After dinner we went into downtown Moab. Looking back on it now I would consider it a smaller version of Jackson Hole Wyoming. Twinkling lights lined the trees along the side walks, there were coffee shops, Ice cream shops, restaurants, variety of local stores and bars. The night was warm and there were a lot of people walking around.
　

We needed to hit the grocery store to stock up. The only place in town was the City Market. Another new grocery store we hadn’t been to. It was small and expensive and filled with visitors from Europe. It was August and it was their holiday time, so they were here in the states. Everywhere we went they seemed to be. And not using their manners most of the time.

Grocery stores are made to get in and out of. Unless it is Wegmans or Super H-E-B. Those are stores that you need to take your time in and walk up and down every aisle. If you haven’t been to one, you need to go find one. H-E-B is located in Texas. Wegmans is located in the North East. They are huge, with their own full bakery, butcher shop, deli, essentials, organic, fruit/vegetables, pharmacy, bulk items and coffee shop. Basic grocery store items with more variety of hard to find items, specialty food items. PLUS they also have a take out food counter of every type of food imaginable and a restaurant!

Unfortunately Joe and Tina don’t have the same outlook or thought process as I do with grocery stores. They can go up and down every aisle no matter how many times they have been there. They are not allowed to go on their own or on an empty stomach. They must have Gabe or myself with them. When they are together without us, they tend to go off of the list, a lot. AND they take a very long time. If Gabe goes, he doesn’t like to walk around the store so he annoys you until you get out of there. I basically do the same thingJ

Saturday morning was grey and breezy.  Perfect day to go hiking! We headed to Canyon Lands. If you never heard of the Canyon Lands, as I didn’t before this trip, let me tell you a little bit about it. It is a National Park (yeah! Another Jr Ranger Badge for Gabe!) covering over 337,598 acres of colorful canyons, mesas, buttes, fins, arches and spires in the heart of southeast Utah’s high desert. Rocks, Rocks everywhere!  It is divided by the Colorado and Green River into 3 different areas, the Island in the Sky, the Maze and the Needles. We were told by the Ranger at the park that the Maze is more for experienced hikers and is the most remote of the 3 areas. We would be better off at the Island in the Sky, easier trails, not as remote and can accomplish what we want in the half day that we had there.

Off we went with Gabe’s survival bag, consisting of a medical bag, water, granola bars, rope, knife, compass and various other items. We also had a small back pack cooler filled with frozen & cold water bottles. It was supposed to be very hot today and we know that you can become dehydrated rather quickly. Sturdy shoes? Check! Sunscreen? Check! Hats? Check! Water? Check! Camera? Check! We were good to go!

                                                            

 

 

 

The Canyons reminded me of the Grand Canyon, but was so much more accessible!  You could go anywhere you wanted through out the park, 24 hours a day.  It was ofcourse at your own risk, but the freedom it allowed you was amazing.

 

 

                                                                       

 

 

Each hike we took consisted of 1 to 3 miles round trip. Plus stopping along the road to just find random rocks for Gabe, Joe and Tina to climb. I was designated photographer as I am afraid of heights.  You may find me in a few, that way you knew I was actually there! 

 

                                           

 
Low to the ground so the wind wouldn't knock us over the edge into the abiss below......

 
We learned these craters were made from the pelting of the rain!  Animals used it for their watering holes.

                                                       

The most impressive hike and spot we found was the Mesa Arch. It was only about a mile round trip but it was the most popular spot. 

                                            
 

 

 

People where walking along the top of the Arch.........

 

 

 

and if they weren’t careful and mis stepped they would of fallen off the edge and into the valley below. It was a very far drop. 

 

 

 Side view of Arch....

 

Then there was this guy........

Who thought he was king of the world!  Well for a few minutes anyway until his wife started yelling for him to becareful and get down now!   Poor guy:(

The daredevils leaning along the edge of the arch!

Along our paths there were piles of rocks, made into these little  towers....it looked like people would stop and stack them along the way...

 

 

so we decided to join in......thinking it was a really cool thing to do....


Until we read the sign.........


                          

.....then we quickly walked away from the ones we had just added on to!

Last stop on our tour of the Canyon Lands was the Park Ranger for Gabe to turn in his Jr Ranger Notebook and receive his next badge!

We spent about 4 hours total at Canyon Lands!  We had so much fun, just being outside and exploring.  The weather stayed cloudy and cool, couldn't of worked out better!  We ate a quick picnic lunch and headed over to the Arches National Park!