Saturday, July 2, 2011

ARCHES NATIONAL PARK ------------------PART 1

MONDAY, JUNE 27th
WE WALKED AT LEAST FIVE MILES TO ALL OF THE ARCHES

ENTRANCE TO PINE TREE ARCH
Natalie, Collin and Sydney
Nana Donn & Papa John
Logan, Sydney, Collin & Dresden
THE BEGINNING OF OUR HIKES FOR THE DAY
WALKING TOWARDS PINE TREE ARCH
PINE TREE ARCH
Collin, Dresden & Logan
Natalie, Sydney & Donna
JAY HERDING THE KIDS DOWN THE PATH TO TUNNEL ARCH
(we walked at least 5 miles that day)
TUNNEL ARCH
THE SCENERY & LANDSCAPE IN ARCHES WAS SPECTACULAR
THE LIZARDS WERE JUST AS COLORFUL
NATALIE AND JAY NEAR THE ENTRANCE TO LANDSCAPE ARCH
LANDSCAPE ARCH
(In 1991 part of the right top of the arch fell as a man was taking the picture, we saw a sign at the foot of the arch showing the rock falling down, glad he wasn't under it at the time. The arch has been blocked off now so we couldn't stand under it, like I would want to do that!?!?)
Natalie and the kids went a different way towards the arch so we had to back track to find them, their path was a little more rocky and adventurous! One slip and you would find yourself 30 feet down a crevasse, what were we thinking?
an awesome boulder for the kids to sit on and take a rest
We even enjoyed seeing a deer on our way out of Landscape Arch
FIERY FURNACE
(John remembers this place the most, we hiked through all of the rocks when we took the kids many years ago. You now have to get a permit to do so and they are on a limited bases).

MOAB - MESA VERDE TRIP ------------- JUNE 26th - JUNE 30th

THE KOA IN MOAB, UTAH
our first stop
June 26th & 27th

This was no Bear Lake KOA! The camp ground had very little shade to offer as well as no fire pit for roasting hot dogs and marshmallows. The ground was made up of red dirt and the heat of the day added to the discomfort. We made it by going to the swimming pool and finding shade in the corner of the pool area. We still had lots of fun as we adjusted to the situation.

The kids pulled a prank on us. They said that they had buried Logan. I was expecting to see a little boys head sticking out of the dirt. Thank Heavens it was just a fake grave and Logan was hiding in the sage brush. They spent a lot of time playing in the dirt.
We had fun playing cards after dark, good thing I brought them with no camp fire the kids were a little disappointed
The 4 kids took turns sleeping in the back of the truck, two at a time.