Sandstone Arches

We learned a lot about the geology of the Colorado Plateau today.  The arches of Arches National Park are just temporary, destined to fall at some point.  The stately spires and monoliths scattered across the mesa are the former buttresses of previous arches that have fallen. The caves and scoured faces of the buttes of today will someday turn into arches and then they, too, will fall.  So it's all temporary, and as the ranger said, "just like us".

We rose early, for real this time, and were on the road by 6:30 for a morning drive through Arches.  We entered the park at the perfect time, with few other visitors besides sunrise photographers.  We ate breakfast in the Beach House at The Windows and then contined all through the park, stopping at most of the viewpoints and trails.  Now, I have to say, arch touring is very similar to church touring and museum touring.  After three or four, they all start to look similar, and you have trouble remembering if that big wide arch was at the end of this road or down that other way.  That said here are a couple pictures of our arch adventures.  You'll find many better photos on the internet, but it is amazing to see the panoramas in person.  It is also the only way to take silly pictures of the arches like these.

By the time we finished several hours later, the road was packed with visitors just heading into the park.  We were so glad we got there early and never had to hunt for a parking space.  Our advice if you plan to visit, GO EARLY!  The light is better for your pictures, too.   Also, do make advance reservations in Moab; I have never seen so many 'No Vacancy' signs on both RV parks and hotels.

Around 10 we headed on over to the northern part of Canyonlands NP.  Our summation of this section of the park is it is just like the Grand Canyon, but with fewer finned mesas on the plateau.  Sort of a geologic little brother, but just as vast and empty with a barely visible river snaking through the bottom.

Last but not least, we found this nice little area with a red mesa behind some cottonwood trees.

We didn't have to travel far at all to see this one, it was taken out the window of the Beach House while parked after we got back today. ;~)