![\"\"](\"https:\/\/awanderingjill.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/DSC05550.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nHeading back down, I spotted yet another arch the rest were missing. \u00a0Look at the expanse on that one!<\/p>\n
Of course, no one spots tiny things near the ground unless they’re short, like me.<\/p>\n JA for scale. \u00a0Also, you’re not supposed to stand on the arches. \u00a0But I don’t think we’ll get caught for this one.<\/p>\n It’s a collared lizard!!!! \u00a0Look how pretty she is!<\/p>\n And an invasive species, the bullfrog. \u00a0He was pretty big. \u00a0Hope the lizard doesn’t wander down this way.<\/p>\n Our only ‘major’ hike of the day done, we get back in the car to drive around a bit.<\/p>\n This is the Fiery Furnace. \u00a0Apparently you can go hiking in there if you request special permission and get a guide.<\/p>\n More neat formations.<\/p>\n Gotta walk to see either of these. \u00a0We’re interested in Sand Dune Arch because it takes us through the rocks.<\/p>\n Through these rocks.<\/p>\n In fact, you can only go in or out right here.<\/p>\n JA for scale. \u00a0Better than a banana.<\/p>\n It’ll never, ever cease to amaze me. \u00a0In the middle of hostile environments, there’s life. \u00a0How the hell did this tree grow here?<\/p>\n Yes, it looks broken, but this is Sand Dune Arch.<\/p>\n Far off in the distance, Broken Arch. \u00a0We aren’t hiking to see that one today. \u00a0That’ll have to be in another trip. \u00a0Another trip, where we camp in this park. \u00a0Because camping at Arches\u00a0just sounds like a great trip.<\/p>\n Window Arch? Skyline Arch? \u00a0I’m not sure what one this is. \u00a0There’s a lot of arches.<\/p>\n It’s just so cool how most of these are somewhat flat.<\/p>\n This was one of JA’s favorite things here.<\/p>\n It’s pretty damn big. \u00a0The day that falls, it might kill a busload of people.<\/p>\n There was a nice little walk way around it with some neat views.<\/p>\n Far off in the distance, another arch.<\/p>\n Future Arch?<\/p>\n I love this place. \u00a0Just love this place. \u00a0I would come back here in a heartbeat. \u00a0I’m coming back here. \u00a0For a week. \u00a0With mountain bikes. \u00a0And camping.<\/p>\n Now that’s a cool arch.<\/p>\n Another little hiking area. \u00a0Just seeing everything here, wondering about the forces it takes to shape the rock, I can’t describe the feeling.<\/p>\n How could you not be in awe here?<\/p>\n On our way out. \u00a0I wanted to spend more time at this park and I know JA felt the same. \u00a0But we’ve gotta see Canyonlands before we leave this area for the day. \u00a0We’re staying the night in Mesa Verde, only a few hours away. \u00a0We haven’t even seen half of what Arches has to offer and we’ll only see maybe…a quarter of the upper parts of Canyonlands.<\/p>\n Despite all this rushing around, we could honestly stay longer. \u00a0Our schedule is flexible. \u00a0But at this point in the trip, we’re both pretty worn out. \u00a0Too many nights of not enough sleep and too many days with summer tourism crowds.<\/p>\n Our first little stop in Canyonlands. \u00a0A viewpoint at the north-end of the park.<\/p>\n This is one of the main entrances to the canyon itself. \u00a0You need a 4×4 capable vehicle and a permit. \u00a0Obviously this is not on our agenda this trip. \u00a0But I would love to come back and go off-roading in the canyon and camp down there. \u00a0Next time. \u00a0So many next times.<\/p>\n All throughout the trip, JA and I discussed perspective and cameras.<\/p>\n I think we’re going to by miniatures of ourselves and place them in areas like this for fun.<\/p>\n Rain in the desert. \u00a0Doesn’t get better than this.<\/p>\n This is one of the more scenic views when you aren’t traversing the canyon below. \u00a0Very pretty.<\/p>\n I don’t even know how some of those stay standing. \u00a0They seem so thin and fragile.<\/p>\n I caught JA like this. \u00a0I like\u00a0pictures like this, where no one poses or knows that you’re taking a picture of them.<\/p>\n Obviously I knew there was a camera.<\/p>\n What is this? \u00a0A window in the rock? \u00a0Could that be…<\/p>\n Another arch? \u00a0Mesa Arch, to be precise. \u00a0Yes, Canyonlands has arches as well. \u00a0This was a pleasant little hike. \u00a0But we are worn out. \u00a0There’s been a lot of stunning views today and I think we’re just out of processing ability right now.<\/p>\n Adios Utah. \u00a0I’ll be back.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Back to Arches and Canyonlands Part 1<\/a>\u00a0::: On to Mesa Verde<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" August 12, 2016 Heading back down, I spotted yet another arch the rest were missing. \u00a0Look at the expanse on that one! Of course, no one spots tiny things near the ground unless they’re short, like me. JA for scale. \u00a0Also, you’re not supposed to stand on the arches. \u00a0But I don’t think we’ll get caught for this one. It’s a collared lizard!!!! \u00a0Look how pretty she is! And an invasive species, the bullfrog. \u00a0He was pretty big. \u00a0Hope the…<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n