A pilgrimage to the golden arches

Friends are always asking where we’re traveling next. Several contemplate joining us somewhere on the road. A few actually plunge in and show up, ready to travel along with us.

Californians, Carolyn and Robert, joined us a few weeks ago at Canyon de Chelly National Monument and continued on to Canyonlands National Park with us. DeAnne and John drove west from Colorado to join us in Moab, Utah. We had grown from two of us to six to visit Arches National Park.

Certainly the lure of National Parks and the golden arches of Utah added to the appeal of a camping trip with friends.   Photo: Double Arch.

Carolyn and Robert walked through a narrow canyon to reach…

…one of the smallest arches we saw but one that had a powerful, spiritual feel in the enclosed space: Sand Dune Arch.

Another day, another hike, and on this outing we headed off to see just how many arches we could see. Everywhere we looked rock formations loomed, the snowy Lo Sal peaks glistened, and lizards scurried across the path.

Wildflowers frequently lined the path, and we tried to limit our photo stops to new-to-us plants. (Otherwise, how would we have gotten anywhere?)

Some arches loomed as massive, almost permanent, structures that required us to stand at some distance to appreciate them.

Other arches provided the perfect setting for portrait photography. John and DeAnne obliged.

The beauty of the park and the accessibility of so many arches within walking range defined a great travel destination. The time we all spent together was a true gift. We think we speak for our group of six when we tell you the trip was a great success.

At day’s end we headed back to Up the Creek Campground, our home while in Moab.

Travelers might want to gather a few friends and make their own pilgrimage to the golden arches. It worked for six of us.

 

May 2017