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ACTIVE RECREATION FOR 4TH OF JULY - we are hiking |
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(Travel Dates: July 3, 2003 - July 6, 2003)
This is the place I always wanted to visit. Main reason - to see Delicate Arch, one of the most famous natural stone structures in the world. Arches National Park (near Moab, UT) preserves over two thousand natural sandstone arches in addition to a variety of unique geological resources and formations. In some areas, faulting has exposed millions of years of geologic history. You can see different layers or rocks. The extraordinary features of the park, including balanced rocks, fins and pinnacles, are highlighted by a striking environment of contrasting colors, landforms and textures.
Our trip took us first to Salt Lake City, where we spent the night and took off to Arches the next day. The same day we went on a short hike to Delicate Arch and in the evening watched Independence Day fireworks from a steak house on the cliffs of Moab, UT. Next day we went hiking on a long (5 hours) trail in the remote part of the park. When we came back from the hike, we jumped in the car, set the cruise control to 90 MPH and were back in Vegas by midnight...
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Inessa with Harvey, a dog which belongs to Catherine, Inessa's friend that she knows from Pennsylvania.
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Catherine (right, with sunburn) moved to Salt Lake City recently, and we stayed with her the day before we travelled to Arches.
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Our Arches trip was great: we hiked for two days. Unfortunately, we didn't have overnight gear, such as a tent and sleeping bags, so we had to exit the park and stay at the hotel.
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First day hike was to the famous Delicate Arch. After about one hour of intense climb up a trail we got to the arch! We "smoked" everyone who climbed with us with our blazing speed!
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Inessa thought the climb to the arch was too easy, so did I. On the guide it said 2 hours, while we managed 1 hour round trip for climb and decent.
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Look how small Inessa is compared to the arch! A tiny little person! I took it from the opposite side of the riverbed that runs around the arch.
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The reason why Inessa was not tired after the climb was because I was carrying a backpack with all our stuff. No complaints here, it wasn't heavy anyway
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Inessa posing in front of the arch while the sun sets, giving the arch the magnificent tone and color.
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This arch is this big!!! Yep...
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Ohhh, so cute... I need a Gatorade!
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OK, I'm starting to run out of comments about the Delicate Arch
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Some Japanese tourist was kind enough to take our picture. Arrigato.
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I had to put our new car into the picture. It is the longest trip for this new car so far. It did great and drove us everywhere with no problems.
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Inessa stands in front of a valley called Park Avenue, the rock formation that resembles the avenue surrounded by tall buildings.
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This is an interesting shot: View from Courthouse Towers looking West - two rocks on both sides of Inessa used to form an arch that fell...
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And this is how scientists believe the arched looked like before Shaq tried to dunk on it. Actually, the arched collapsed long before NBA...
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Native american tribes in this area left some drawings on the rocks. This petroglyphs are near Delicate Arch and display men on horses herding some wild animals
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This is a Balanced Rock: it is the biggest out of several rocks of this kind and is relatively easily accessible by tourists.
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Last picture of the day 1: Sergei by the Balanced Rock in the last rays of setting sun.
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Day 2: Resting by Park Avenue while Inessa checks out the information board describing the rocks and other stuff.
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PICTURES OF DAY 2 HIKE UPLOADED MARCH 2004
(YEAH, IT TOOK ME A WHILE) |
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Inessa is waving a towel - trying to swat flies or me for saying some stupid stuff again? We were ready for the longest trail of the park with lots of water, some food, and sunblock. I carried about 3-4 gallons of water for both of us - barely enough! HOT!!!!
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Another cool looking arch - Skyline Arch
,this one is so thin, it looks like it will collapse any minute! Actually, on a cold November night in 1940, a large chunk fell out of the arch, instantly doubling the size of its opening.
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A good way to protect your neck from the sun - although Inna's shoulders were extra crispy by the end of the day.
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Our 5 hour long hike took us pass some really cool scenery, including this little valley that was very green compare to everything else.
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This is Double O Arch! Bond, James Bond, baby! Its an arch on top of the arch, thus double O.
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Pretty steep walls on this canyon! Oh yeah, I just had to show of my skinny little biceps.
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Devils Garden Primitive Loop, 7.2 mi/11.5 km round-trip, is the longest semi-maintained trail in the park. We reached the end of the trail at the place called Devil's Arch - although it looked more like a single rock. Inessa is so small!!!
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My most favorite picture from this trip. We were pretty hot and tired by the end of the trail when we finally reached the end of trail and enjoyed each other's company and a view of Skyline Arch.
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Inessa is meditating on the rocks.
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A nice view from the trail into the valley.
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