Arches National Park

We arrived in Moab, Utah Sunday evening.  Jolene really wanted to to go up into Arches for the Sunset.  When we got there, the visitor center was closed so we went on other information that Delicate Arch was the best place for the sunset not realizing that it was a 3 mile hike rated difficult.  We rushed to the parking lot and took off, the trail went and went uphill, as the sun set we realized our failure.  However, we pressed on, when we got there, many people had stayed to watch the "supermoon" rise.  Of course, we did not have flashlights for the return trip, but it's full moon, we can easily see the trail....

We enjoyed sitting up there as darkness descended and the moon rose, we did not know how to use our camera to get good moon pictures, so that was a bust.

We headed down the trail with others, who were wise enough to bring flashlights, they were slow, so around them we trekked.  It was going well until we met a hiker coming up who told us there was a rattlesnake in the trail 100 yards ahead.  That snakes feed at night in the desert never crossed my mind.  Needless to say we waited on the flashlights, then the challenge was to find the snake, which we never did.... so sad.  The journey back was long, we ended up eating supper at 11:00 PM and we still had to set up our camper.  Vacations are meant for spontaneous things, a bit more preparation may be wise...

Arches is a place worth visiting.  The stunning beauty of red rock formations and the many natural arches is amazing.  We went back up on Monday to hike to a few closer arches since it was in the middle of the day.

We left Arches Monday afternoon headed for Salt Lake City and on to the Grand Tetons.

Balanced Rock

Our trail to Delicate arch

Inspired by the "Joe Byler dozen" - we don't quite fill it up.