Delicate Arch

Hi all,
Thought I'd sneak in one last post from Moab. This is one place we would have definitely extended our stay but Jeep Week will have none of that. Looks like that is now getting into full swing and will be hopping.

  We made a return trip to Arches National Park. We got a early start (well 9:00 is early for us to be out) to make sure we would get a parking space at the popular Delicate Arch Trail.
 Delicate Arch is the most famous arch in the park and has the notoriety of being on the Utah state quarter.

 You can view this in two places from a distance but we wanted the up and close view. This would require a 3 mile strenuous hike. We figured to just take our time and not get in a rush. The trail starts out meandering along then you hit the slickrock and up you go. The slickrock is a bit of a misnomer- it is only slick when wet.

 We made it and were glad we did. When we arrived I was surprised as the people there were staying back and admiring the view. This also allowed us to get some good pics. Turns out we were lucky as the hordes started arrive to prevent any pictures of the arch without some clowns in your shots. This is the bad part of allowing access to this. I understand getting a family shot in the arch but then get the heck out and allow others a chance. (sorry- just venting) Later we viewed it from the distant viewpoints and people were climbing everywhere on the monument.

 These petroglyphs were on a short spur off the Delicate Arch Trail.

                     We stopped at some other areas to get our last looks at the great park.

 We left on Wednesday and made a short 110 mile move to Grand Junction Colorado. We are at Junction West RV Park a nice clean full hook up park. While here we will check out Colorado National Monument and maybe some of the 20 wineries in the area. There are also 7 breweries that could fill some time.