Driving up into the park at sunrise.
The first view inside the park.
In the background you see what was once a gigantic arch. Is this where they
got the phrase, "fallen arches?"
After an evening by the fire and a good night's sleep in the van, I got up at dawn for
a hike to Landscape Arch. The trail at any other time is crowded with people. I
haven't even had my morning coffee, but I've got to get out here before all the
Japanese and Germans swarm the place.
It's better for the soul to have rabbits and lizards for company.
Hey, I think I've stumbled upon the road not taken.
I've reached the goal of my hike -- Landscape Arch.
I took this picture just to show that there is nobody else on the trail.
Sure enough, as I started heading back to the van I passed the first Japanese guy --
$200 designer backpack, $200 hiking boots, $60 shirt with matching socks....
I'm pretty sure he spent more on his outfit than I did on my whole trip so far.
My hiking outfit -- based on the principle that a Tilly hat can cover a multitude of
fashion sins.
The colors change a lot depending on the time of day.
Me, pretending to be a stone tower.
A stone tower, pretending to be me. The arches and I commune.
Arches National Park
I visited Arches National Park for the first time last year. At that time, I was in a hurry and simply drove through and took some pictures. This year I planned it so that I could (as long as the van didn't breakdown somewhere during the trip) have time for some hiking and camping in the park.