We were up early again today to revisit Arches and go to the Windows Segment – getting there around 6:30 instead of an hour earlier like our visit to Delicate Arch yesterday. We started our hike in the dark again, as sunrise is not until around 7:30 a.m.
It was beautiful beyond words. We saw the North and South Window Arches and Turret Arch come to life as the sun rose. There were only a few people at first, and then more as we walked behind the Windows with the sun shining on the red rock. The sky was a clear cornflower blue.
We crossed the parking lots to go the Double O Arch. Along the way we shared some laughs with other park visitors about the shapes we saw looming in front of us – a keyhole or maybe a woman’s body part? Who knows? A pig face or a lion? Everyone was jovial and enjoyed the sunny warm weather and beautiful hikes.
My husband created a memory by climbing to the bottom of the O arch. He was braver than I as were the six people before him. One of the women coming down just after my husband went up had a problem getting down off the rocks. I thought to myself, “that would have been and could have been me!” It was a good decision to to not climb up! Getting the photo was worth staying down.
And, just like that our time at Arches National Park was over.
We had a six hour drive ahead of us to the Grand Canyon. It was drab and brown. Never were we so happy to see the pine trees and green as we entered the park!
We arrived at the Grand Canyon late this afternoon. It is incredible. We were even blessed with a gorgeous sunset! Tomorrow we hike! Stay tuned!
The Apples in My Orchard 