Arches

With Summer Fun Mix 2008 blasting on the car stereo, we hit the road for yet another adventure. This was a great trip down to Moab to the Riverside Inn and Arches National Park. The more we see of southern Utah, the more trips I want to take with the family to see more.

It was beautiful mid October weather. In fact the kids were very disappointed in me for not packing swim suits because I told them the pool would be closed. I was wrong, it was so warm that after our hike to delicate arch they insisted in swimming in their clothes. Big deal, just shorts, and a shirt for Abby. Why the drama?

We hiked, climbed, drove and ate all day, then after getting kids to bed, stayed up talking until 1:30AM with old Virginia friends. Hougaards drove over from Denver and Bells drove down from SLC. The kids were in heaven.

Henry finds a window on the west. Then points to it.

Abby and Rex scaling the slickrock.


Double Arch. Isaac's favorite.

There are three backpack bound kids missing from this picture. Quite a parade up to delicate arch, and everywhere we went. Isaac, Rex, Lucy, Anna, Maggie, Abby, Henry.

Isaac surveys our first look at Delicate Arch

Isaac, Rex, Lucy and Abby at the base of Delicate Arch.

Peter wolfs down the remainder of the footlong turkey sandwich Abby insisted she could polish as she had the day before.

Having just been launched from a makeshift cannon, Abby rests on very comfortable sandstone at the top of the hike. As they used to say, "Take only pictures, leave only full body indentations."

The taking of this picture almost caused Steph Hougaard to have a heart attack. She thought it was a 200 foot immediate drop and that Peter couldn't maneuver the ledge on his own. It was actually only a gradual slope and then a 50 foot drop. I agree, he should have had his helmet on.

Henry, giving into the universal urge: once at delicate arch, raise both hands and snap one's fingers. This picture did not cause anyone to have a heart attack because no one was watching. Plus it was only a gradual slope and then a 50 foot drop.



Peter asleep on the way down, with his helmetless head glistening in the sun. 2 more months then he gets it off for good.

Elizabeth was an amazing trooper, but I'm sure she'll tell all about that in another post. What a beautiful place and a great trip. After we die if we ever get to glimpse back through time, this is one place I want to watch the creation of. Job (as on Old Testament) says we shouted for joy as we watched it happen, I wish I could remember it. All I remember was the Grand Canyon, which was pretty cool in its own right, oh yeah, and the oceans. (if these last few lines stay in, it just means Elizabeth hasn't done any editing.)