Arches National Park Monday, May 19th

On Monday we got up, packed up our belongings from the Super 8 in Green River and headed back down to Arches. We wanted to get up the Delicate Arch before the winds got really bad and it became too hot.There is not a drop of shade on the hike up to the arch so we didn't want to be there in the afternoon. Declan rode in his backpack. Brad and I had quite the calf workout climbing up the orange slick rock. When we reached the top, the wind was gusting about 20 miles per hour. Declan and I sat down beyond the rock wall and watched as Brad walked out to the arch. It was absolutely amazing. The arch stands all alone, popping out of the rock. It's huge. Declan had a bottle and we had our pictures taken. I was really proud of myself for walking along the edge up to the arch look out.

Beginning our walk 

Walking the stairs cut into the slick rock

Still climbing 

Brad in the arch 

Declan and Daddy 

Our little family at the arch

Walking down the hill

Wolf ranch

After our hike to Delicate Arch, we headed out to the Devil's Garden to see more arches. We hiked out to Landscape Arch, Pine Tree Arch, and Tunnel Arch. We stopped at Pine Tree Arch to relax in the shade and enjoy our picnic lunch. Two ravens joined us for lunch. We played with Declan and then headed back down to our car. 

Walking to Landscape Arch

Landscape Arch

By Landscape Arch

Walking to Pine Tree Arch

Relaxing at Pine Tree Arch

Tunnel Arch 

 After a beautiful day in the park, we headed to our campsite at Pack Creek. The site was on the creek and was beautiful. It was a very quiet site and we were thrilled to have a place to stay for two nights. Unfortunately our picnic table was covered in these weird worms that had fallen out of the tree. They were all over, thousands of them. I tried to wipe off the table, but more just came. We asked to be moved to a different site, but none were available. We headed into Moab to look around. We grabbed gelato for a snack. I had blueberry and shared a little bite with Declan. He loved it! Brad had espresso flavor. Afterwards we walked over to the visitor center and saw a kokopelli climbing through the Delicate Arch. Declan picked a beautiful yellow flower to hold as he rolled around in his buggy.

We headed back to camp and made delicious mac n cheese for dinner. We had an early bed time so we could get up and head out the next morning to Canyonlands!