Oct 02, 2018
Arches National Park, Day 1
So after driving 294 miles and setting up the RV on Sunday, September 30th, we quickly packed up cameras, walking shoes, water and snacks and headed over to Arches National Park. I thought that the fee was $25.00 per vehicle. It went up on June 30th to $30.00. However that pass is good for a full seven days which I think is a great deal. Even better for us, the park closes the ticket booth at 4PM and we did not have to pay at all 😎
This is how uneven the ground is where we are parked. Both the front tires and the front jacks are up on boards. As you can see one side is much lower than then other.
Because no one was taking payment at the entrance booth there were no brochures nor maps being handed out. However I did have a good printed copy of the park roads and stops. I also had purchased an app ( my first ever ) to help us navigate the park. Arches National Park app by GyPSy for $4.99 US describes everything you need to know about the park plus more. It knows where you are and starts talking about the area you are in automatically. I put my iPhone on airplane mode to be sure that no roaming charges would be incurred and ran the app. It was more than I could have hoped for and we learned so very my more about Arch NP than we could have hoped. A great tool. It was interesting to start with how what we were seeing started over 300 million years ago, how the area was covered over by the sea and evaporated and then covered over by yet another sea, in all 29 cycles of a sea covering the area and then evaporating. That left a mile thick salt layer which sediment covered and then the pressure caused the salt layers to liquefy and shift and so began all these amazing formations. Just a wee tidbit of the entire story. Incredible.
I soon realized that there was no point in me taking photos what with Colin having two cameras in hand. So the following shots were taken by Colin. This formation is called Park Avenue, an they thought this resembled the sky line of NYC.
My photo re the que pasa of Park Avenue.
So many different configurations.
Balancing Rock.
The park is immense.
Walking up to the Windows. The walks always start out easy but are deceiving.
North Window, quite amazing.
I could not believe that this couple complete with bridal party and relatives including the very old with canes were exchanging vows up there. In behind is Turret Arch.
It was very windy up at the South Window. Pretty good selfie Colin.
Both the North and South windows.
Double Arch. Note the low sun in the sky reflecting within the arch.
This was Colin’s favorite thus far. I was too late for the light ( I had to go to the bathroom ).
We only got to see 50% of the park before the sunset. It was dark by the time we got back on the main road. We were eating dinner by 9:00PM and I was in bed by 10:30PM. But at least we got to see Arches NP.
Next post will be what happened on Monday, October 1st. The day did eventually turn out very well. Stayed tuned for the details.
In real time:
Looks like the hurricane is going to affect ( mostly rain and flash flooding ) our destination today. We had prepaid for the RV Park ( and it is non refundable $44.00 ) and we were going to follow through and hope that the sun would prevail. Now it appears that there are flash flood warnings for Monument Valley. Trying to make a decision. Just called and it is advised not to come. Not worried about the RV park money but where can we stay tonight? Working on it. Until next time.
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That park is beautiful, reminds me of the area of Colorado where I was born (Montrose in the desert). I’ve never been to Utah.
The US has so much to offer, so many different areas. Hopefully one day you will be able to visit more areas in the US.
I am now guessing that your final destination on this portion of your trip will be the Grand Canyon. So many wonderful parks to visit in this part of the USA. Enjoy.
Yes we will also be visiting the Grand Canyon.
We loved that park, glad you did get there if even for a short visit. Good luck with your next destination , so many wonderful places to visit. We seldom make a reservation so no need to worry about when or where we go , have always found a spot somewhere for the night.
Lucky you. I have started booking RV parks in August and almost all were already booked. More people are RVing these days.
Great photos !
Despite the predictions the storm has bypassed LasVegas. Still mostly cloudy but no rain fell at all. Hopefully you’ll be as lucky.
So glad that you were spared the brunt of the storm.
memories of past visits! If you had the time, you could spend weeks in Utah looking at these magnificent monuments, there are so many in Utah. On our tour we over-spent time in Utah at the expense of Montana. Enjoy to the full. KenB
We will put your suggestions on the to do list.
Wonderful pictures. You both look so happy. It’s fun to be on the road.
Gracias.
Lovely, lovely photos, we loved our visit to that NP. Thanks for sharing
You are so lucky to have all these wonderful N Parks to visit.
Beautiful pictures of the park! Especially the sunset picture 🙂 Hopefully you don’t get too much rain.
You will love it here.
So glad you got to see this magical place! Smart move to drop everything and rush there to beat the rain. In doing so, it sounds like you might have also missed the worst of the crowds. Colin’s photos are lovely!
Actually we have not had any issues with crowds but then we have done nothing at peak times. I will tell Colin your comment re his photos but you mi amiga are a great photographer as well.
ALL GREAT PLACES. ALL THOSE BEAUTIFUL BUTTES. THE COLOURS ARE GREAT, EVEN MORE SO WHEN THE SUN IS SHINING. YOU WONDER WHY THE WINDS ERODED THE EARTH THE WAY IT DID AND MAKING INDIVIDUAL BUTTES. SORRY THE WEATHER IS THE PITS.