Day 12: Tuesday, May 22nd-Green River, Utah to Arches National Park, Utah to Glenwood Springs, Colorado- 316 miles

With full stomachs, we pushed on to Arches National Park. Enroute we saw many prairie dogs ‘standing guard”…even one in the middle of the road at a construction zone on the highway. We arrived at Arches late morning and realized quickly it was going to be a hot day! (in the 90’s with minimal shade). We parked at the Visitor Center and refilled all of our water bottles to the brim with ice from our cooler and then with the free spring water provided at water stations/spigots (almost all the National Parks we visited did this to discourage waste from disposable water bottles) We watched an interesting 15 minute Discovery Channel Movie about the park…thankfully, the kids all saw through the evolutionary explanations for such unique land forms. Mercy wanted to know, “Why can’t they see this happened because of a world wide flood?” One piece of information was shared to help visitors understand the importance of staying on the marked pathways. The parched ground looks lifeless but the video stated that walking on it harms a multitude of microscopic organisms which then kills the flora that does live on that rugged terrain. That causes harm to the animals which feed on it and it takes decades for the ground to return to its original state. I had no idea there was so much life happening within and underneath the dry cracked soil. A reminder to me that God is at work even when I don’t ‘see it on the surface.

After viewing the video, we headed up a very long, steep switchback road leading into the park. The ride up is a bit intimidating as you overlook high drop offs. We decided to take a hike to view the famous “Delicate Arch”…all the signs encourage hikers to drink a gallon of water per day…now we know why! The sign also stated that the hike was only 1.5 miles each way and we’re still trying to figure out how they measured that as it seemed much longer. This was another strenuous hike due to the intense heat and climbing hills and rock faces. Near the end, we had to walk along a high cliff ledge and the winds were strongly blowing. When we finally arrived at the viewing point, the winds were wildly gusting since there were no natural barriers. It was well worth the effort as this arch is remarkable and provided quite the photo op! Near the end of the trail back to the parking lot we took a short detour to view petroglyphs. These were believed to have been drawn on the wall by the Native Americans living on the land from1600-1800 AD. Those of us who did not finish their refreshing ice filled water bottles on the trail now had icky hot water remaining.

We then drove to see Landscape and Double O Arches and we walked on a short easy trail to view them. I was very thankful for the gusty winds since we were all sweaty and so dirty from the previous hike…I think it diffused some of our stench and dirt before we piled in the van to head for Glenwood Springs, ColoradoJ We skipped lunch and ate snacks to hold us over until we ate an early dinner at Wendy’s (we have been eating dinner here frequently due to the gluten free choices on the menu). We arrived at our family suite at the Glenwood Suites in the early evening. The younger kids and Mark enjoyed a swim in the indoor pool (located across the street at a sister hotel) while I started the laundry which was conveniently located on our floor. We did 3 loads before heading to bed…it felt great to slow down and regroup again. Earlier in the evening we decided to book this suite for another nite’ because we learned that Glenwood Springs was a great place to raft down the Colorado River-this was an add-on to our original plans. The suite was 2 rooms…one with a double bunk bed on the bottom and single on top and a 2^nd room with 2 queens. The top bunk was flush with the railing so Philip slept on top-(He terrified us the 2nd nite' crying out,"Help me, help me!"- we ran in the dark to the next room and found him having a bad dream...I was so relieved he had not fallen over the useless railing!) Curtis, Luke, and Odesco squeezed into a queen and the girls vied for space on the double bunk while Mark and I slept comfortably in the other queen:) Overall it worked out well and the complimentary breakfast was great with some gluten free options for Grace and the favorite waffle machine for the rest of the gang.

~Balancing Rock~

Windows

Another Arch

Pretty View

Curtis thought the rock in the middle looked like a statue from Easter Island

"The Three Gossips"

The Wolfe Ranch settled in the late 1800's

We've got to hike up there? You can't tell from the picture but there is a steep rock face that we had to climb up. If you click on the picture and enlarge it, you can see the little dots...those are people!!

Here we go!!.....

A trail marker leads the way-it's called a cairn ~actually a line of fellow arch hunters led the way!

This is on the way back to the van but this ledge is situated right before you turn a corner and see the amazing view below...it was a little scary which is why we are hugging the wall since there is a significant drop off.

The Delicate Arch

There were so many people trying to get photos and I was so far away, it was impossible to communicate with the gang to let them know that there were strangers in our picture:( This arch is immense! The wind was really whipping at this point...a little scary since there is a major drop off behind the arch!

This was as close as I got since I was taking the pictures~This hike was definitely another highlight for me :) It's amazing that this arch can not be seen from the car as you drive around the park. The early settlers must have stumbled upon it as they explored the land and then spread the word...

Near the end of the trail...see the petroglyphs/rock engravings?

This is "Landscape Arch"(click on it to get a better view)...the largest arch on the planet-it is the length of a football field! In 1991, a huge chunk fell off it and hikers are no longer allowed underneath it. The video we watched had actual footage of the piece breaking off...scary stuff! I'm grateful there was a fence there now!!

"Double O" Arch

One final glimpse of God's remarkable handiwork !