OK, up a little earlier today..7:15, put the coffee on & get ready to go to Arches National Park. A light breakie with cookies, cereal & fruit. Pack up the stuff, make sandwiches & head out for I-70 & Ut 191 to the park. Oh, and the construction, but it's not too bad. Into the park-senior pass!-by 9:45 & stop at the visitor center for some items & reading about the area. Out onto "Entrance Road" says our Nav system & on to the first stop.."Park Avenue"..massive rock formations & we decide not to hike this part. On around to "balanced rock" & we do hike this- a short, 3 tenths of a mile walk . The rock balanced 120' in the air is a 3500 ton monster..not for my yard. A right turn to the "Windows" section & a short hike, maybe 1/2 mile to this massive "pothole" arch (caving in from the upper portion of the formation.) Lots of arches here & crazy people climbing everywhere.) The next stop is the big hike to the "Delicate Arch", by Wolfe Ranch, where a family actually lived & raised cattle in the 1870's. The Park guide says this is a 3-mile hike (at least) & moderate...right..elevation gain 480 feet. We take plenty of water & snacks, but we see a lot of people with nothing..not even hats! And let me tell you, it's a tough hike! The temps have gone up & it's 95 in the parking lot when we leave. Sunscreen re-app! There are many people from foreign countries..Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland, Japan..all enjoying the USA Parks. We finally make it too the arch & KK has some moments where she is not sure she can get around the edge..it's pretty tight and a BIG drop to our left. But there it is! What a view! Well worth the 102 degree walk thru rocks, sand & cliffs. I just can't believe that there were no fatalities...people can be sooooo stupid. The trip down is much easier but takes about 55 minutes, with a couple of rest stops. I make a side trip to some petroglyphs, circa 1650-1700 by the Ute Tribe. (KK went on to the car for some cold water.) Another side trip to view the Wolfe "cabin" & meet some folks from southern Indiana..New Albany & chat about the Agan Farm. Back to the car and a sandwich, cold water & rest. That about does it for us old folks..no more hiking today. We do see the Petrified Dunes, The Courthouse Towers & the Rock Pinnacles on the way out. A great day in this FAB Park!(NOTE: there are over 2000 documented arches in the park!) Make a left on the main road down into Moab, UT., just checking out the village..lots of tours, bike shops & motels. We look for a DQ but have to settle on a Wendy's Frosty..not bad. Back on the road toward the construction zone & our cool popup at the GR KOA. We make it in about 1 hour & go thru some big downpours & arrive at the KOA with a light rain in progress. KK downloads the day's pics & I take a nap..I'm exhausted & the rain helps the snooze. I get up as the rain ends & suit up for a bike ride. I find some new roads & hook up with KK over by the state park, which is packed with campers..17 miles for me & 9 for KK. Back to the camper to start supper, and it's breakfast! Cook the sausage, potatoes & eggs...tastes pretty good despite the mosquitoes buzzing around. I wash the dishes over at the KOA facilities, go for a dip in the pool & then shower..what a day! The KOA doesn't seem to be as crowded tonight, but a lot of vehicles came in after dark. We'll pack up tomorrow and head to Durango, CO..back thru the construction again.
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