Across the road from the end of the Park Avenue trail is the parking lot. Above the lot are some very inviting rocks for kids to climb. Here, Evan (top) and younger brother Christian are exploring this huge boulder.
This is the view looking down from the boulder. The very tall formation to on the right side is called The Courthouse. It's amazing to drive by because it is a very narrow rock but intimidating because it is so large.
Back at the parking lot, Getsie was playing with a black beetle that was found walking across the parking lot. When Edwins wife, Christine saw it crawling on the girls, she kinda freaked out. Luckily, the park patrol wasn't called about a screaming woman!
We continued down the road and stopped at balanced rock...I wonder why they call it that? Just kidding. When you look at this thing, you can only wonder at what point will it become unstable and they'll have to change all the signs to "Fallen Balanced Rock".
This is a yoga pose called "Toe Stand Pose", which is difficult to master, especially when you bring hands to prayer. Of course, Yoga Vero didn't struggle getting into it. I think she was drawing on the energy from mother earth rock behind her.
This is my yoga version of "Holding Rock Pose".
Benjamin saw the other kids climbing on the rocks and had to join in.
After seeing balanced rock, we headed towards some very famous arches. There is the double arch to the left, the north and south windows , and turet arch to the right. Of couse, a LOT of people were here to see them. We sat in traffic, waiting for a parking place to come open.
All the rain caused the desert to bloom. I saw these lovely flowers next to the fence.
This is like my third trip to Arches and I have yet to visit double arch. I have taken pictures of it from the road, but haven't hiked to it. Next trip, I'll hike to it.
Sitting in traffic really makes you hungry. Here Edwin and the family prepared sandwiches for lunch. While we ate, we could hear thunder in the distance. The wind picked up and blew my potato chips off into the weeds. Some lucky ants hit the mother lode.
After lunch, (minus potato chips) I wandered off to follow a primitive trail and spotted these blooming cactus.
The arch to the left is the North Window arch. In the distance were some very ominous clouds that were flashing with lightening and rumbling with thunder. The sun happened to peak through a break in the clouds and produced this very interesting shot, which lasted for only about 30 seconds. Incidently, the clouds in the distance produced flash flooding just south of Moab...where we were camping. More on that later.
The colors of the rock were simply vibrant, especially with the sun breaking through the clouds in the west and the storm clouds to the east.
The kids especially love going to Sand Dune arch. It isn't a large spectacular arch that is photographed for National Geographic...at least I haven't seen it featured before, but it has the finest deep sand. I imagine that cats for miles around search out this magnificant place.
The sign helps lost cats find it.
The entrance to Sand Dune arch is a narrow passage way. When you emerge out of it, you're greated with this. The rain had enhanced the vibrant colors of sand and green foliage.
This is the arch when you finally arrive. However, the real draw is the massive amount of sand below it. Unfortunately, the sand was pretty wet and sticky. The last time we came here, it was dry and cool, inviting you to pull your shoes off and feel it slide between your toes. Kids will literally jump and roll in it.
I was fascinated by the texture and color of the vertical sandstone walls.
We weren't sure if these were the tracks of a t-rex or big bird.
This is looking from the entrance of Sand Dune arch towards Broken Arch. This is another arch that I haven't visited before. Again, the colors and and occassional beams of sunlight made for some spectacular photos.
Arches is a treasure of beauty.
After Sand Dune arch, we followed the road to the end and headed back south. As we drove, we were treated to a beautiful rainbow. My wide angle lens was not wide enough to get it end to end, but you know that it does indeed end somewhere there is a pot of gold.
The storm that we heard and saw flashes from created issues for residents south of Moab. On our way back, we saw sections of road that were covered in several inches of mud. We wondered if the campground was still standing. Fortunately, the only casualties was our awning that was pulled up, Edwins awning was ripped, and our gazebo was a total loss.
Much of our stuff on the table ended up at our neighbors camp, which they graciously collected and returned. They even folded what remained of the gazebo. Stay tuned for Day 4...even more drama!
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