Arches National Park to Denver

First things first: You'll be pleased to hear that we survived Moab unskewered: Danny resisted the temptation of the Midianite women (Pinchas would be proud) and we didn't get food poisoning from the dodgy complimentary breakfast (hash browns, french toast and waffles were all cooked in a toaster, self service - Micol was not amused and no longer hungry).

We drove to Arches National Park, which is (wait for it) known for boasting the most natural arches in the world. Due to some bizarre geological feautire (some rock is harder than other rock) erosion over time has led to a series of naturally occurring arches spread across the canyons. There are also balancing rocks, which look like they will fall at any minute, but for now remain standing.

The first thing we noticed was the massive size of the park. We drove almost 50 miles while exploring the three different sections of the park. The striking reddish orange color of the rocks was remarkable - it felt like we were driving through a painting. Talk about that post-modern phenomenon of reality imitating art. The beauty is as difficult to describe as it is to comprehend, so you will have to look at our pictures - hopefully we captured at least some fraction of the park's magnificence.

One of the most striking elements of the park is known as 'Balanced Rock.' It looks a bit like a huge cookie (Danny's description...hungry much?) or a slightly oval-shaped orb literally balancing atop a stone column. It is impressive from a distance, but when you get close up, it is almost inconceivable that the balancing rock does not topple over and collapse from its perch. Micol also had a lot of fun posing with this rock (it was a more willing photo partner than Danny). We then saw the North and South Windows, two incredibly impressive arches, named aptly for
their window-like appearance. We can assure you - you have never seen a view like the one you see through these windows. The beauty around was inescapable and truly took our breath away.

Finally, we saw the delicate arch. We decided not to hike to the arch, but rather to "stroll" to a viewpoint. Unfortunately, there was no indication from any of the signposts that this stroll was actually a hike to the viewpoint, and pretty exhausting in the 100+ degree heat. Putting us to shame was the man who carried his son and guided his daughter all the way to the viewpoint, while we panted beside him, Danny praying to the gods that Micol wouldn't ask to be perched on his shoulders. He helped both of his kids climb a boulder and then joined them, and it was such a picture perfect moment that we had to offer to take their picture. Micol had also realized by then that the adorable boy had a lisp and said "cheeth" every time a picture was taken, and selfishly disguised her desire to hear it again with the selfless offer to take a family photo :)

After Arches, we had five rather bad minutes which involved Danny driving off with his Diet Dr. Pepper on the roof of the car (needless to say that was lost) and then Micol misreading the map so that we drove in the wrong direction (but in her defense, only five minutes out of the way and then stopping again at the sandwhich place for Danny to ask to replace his fallen soda - unfortunately he was denied and told he would need to purchase another drink - he made a mental note to write a letter to the Better Business Bureau and have their membership revoked!) However, like the song says, we overcame and left the stroke of bad luck at the hogi yogi sandwhich shop. And are we glad we did!

Micol's brilliant idea to take a slightly longer scenic route to the major interstate paid off with interest! The drive took us beside the Colorado river for forty miles of some of the most magnificent natural beauty you could ever imagine. Canyons and green hills and roaring rapids. All we could think was: Wow, no wonder the Mormons chose Utah as their mecca. To be in a place where, at every turn, you were constantly reminded of God’s beauty. And the vastness and infinity of the beauty was overwhelming. Suddenly everything else seemed so small – the material, the trivial, all of the insignificant “small stuff” that we are told not to sweat but inevitably do, all washed away in the rush of the Colorado River and the sun’s brilliant reflection on the canyons. All that surrounded us was God and it was hard not to give thanks for the beautiful world we are fortunate to call home.