During our three week trip out west in June, our last stop in Utah (as we headed to the Rocky Mountains) was the ARCHES National Park. We left home on June 10---and when we got to the Arches, it was June 23... We were both tired and VERY hot by then... SO--because of this, our experience at the Arches was not as good as most other places we visited on this trip. I guess that is why I've waited so long to pull out this set of photos... BUT-- now that I'm looking at the photos, I really know how pretty it was there...
SO--my advice: unless you don't mind the 107 degree heat, don't go there in Summer.. Also--I despise crowds --and there are always tons and tons of people there in the Summer... We will go back ---but not in Summer...
I do have some wonderful photos to show you from the Arches ---so today will be just one group of them... Hope you enjoy them!!!!! The above picture shows one of the many crazy rocks --just sitting up there... I still don't think I'd want to stand under that thing though... ha (Be sure to enlarge photos for bigger shots.)
I loved the shape of this tall one---standing there just like a watch tower, checking out everything!!!! Water and ice, extreme temperatures and underground salt movement are responsible for the sculptured rock scenery of the Arches National Park. It's hard to imagine how the 100 million years of erosion or such violent forces that created this land caused one of the world's greatest densities of natural arches...
The American Indians used this area for thousands of years. The Archaic peoples, and later ancestral Puebloan, Fremont, and Ute peoples, searched the arid desert for food animals, wild plant foods, and stone for tools and weapons.
This photo looks like the Titanic to me!!!!! What say you????
They named this one "The Three Gossips"..... Can you hear them chattering???? ha ha
Here is another interesting rock formation... What does it look like to you? I can almost see some praying hands!!!!
This is appropriately called "Sheep Rock"... See the sheep on top?????
Here is what they call the Tower of Babel (on left) and the Organ (on the right). I took this one at the La Sal Mountain Viewpoint---but was more interested in the rock formations than I was in the mountains in the distance.
Can you believe that I've shown you 7 pictures at the ARCHES, and I still haven't shown you an 'arch'????? That will be coming up in a future post....
On another note, have you noticed what Blogger has done for all of us--which is GOOD??? If you click on my first photo, you'll get all of the photos in a slide show... Neat, huh?????
Hope you have a wonderful weekend. We're headed to the Smokies today to see what kind of Fall color is there... I will see you Monday!
Hugs,
Betsy
56 comments:
Hi Betsy, your photos are breathtaking. I can imagine the joy you and George must have felt exploring the Arches and the beautiful western states you two visited.
Thanks for sharing the beauty I will never see in person.
Have a safe trip. I wish we lived closer to the mountains.. sigh :)
be well, be happy,
Pam
I asked you in your facebook what you do with your rose petals.
My mum used to put some to the petals in her stuffing for making BBQ pork buns buns.
Beautiful photos of these amazing rock formations, Betsy. Your photos are stunning (I'll click on the first one after this and see the slide show, thanks) Interestingly, I recently read about the Grand Canyon and the Rockies in a travel mag. They advise the traveller avoids summer time because of the extreme temps and the many visitors. Off to see the slide show now. Have a wonderful weekend, dearest Betsy. Blessings, Jo PS I immediately saw the praying hands, the ship and the sheep. Neat, I agree!
Betsy you always take exceptional photos and this set from “The Arches” is definitely up to standard! Absolutely superb!
John
connectedtothevinephotography.blogspot.com
That strong dry heat is definitely interesting. Your photos are gorgeous.
Your pictures are better than mine:-( Probably has something to do with the photographer:-)
I nearly passed out from the heat, but would like to go back some cool morning and take more time. I enjoyed your post!
Lovely photos, Betsy. 107 degrees sounds a little too warm for me too! I didn't know blogger did that with the slide show thing--pretty cool! :)
Those are some super high Arches Betsy!
Have a terrific weekend in the Smokies ~ I'm sure you and George will see lots of pretty things!
Travel safe!
xo Catherine
Beautiful pictures. Some of those rock formations are amazing .To think that they keep on standing when they look so precarious.Now I see more beauty coming to this blog,in the form of fall colours from the Smokies.YEAH!!!
"Praying hands"--my thought exactly. Amazing rock formations from the master sculptor!
Have a great weekend.
Best,
Bonnie
How beautiful...and I didn't even realize you were stingy with the arch photos themselves. :)
I love the slideshow...so darn cool!
Have a great weekend Betsy.
I see the sheep, but not the titanic or praying hands, i see the gossips, and i do love all these rock formations, they are stunning.
The redness of the rock in the photo that looks like the Titanic is beautiful! I also wouldn't want to stand too close to some of the rock formations. I'm thinking earthquake. Wonder if Utah ever has them? These photos are all wonderful, Betsy, I enjoyed them all! Have fun at the Smokies!
I like the names you bestowed. I had a formation I would pass going to school and from one way it looked like Richard Nixon and from the other more of a Donald Duck.
those are so cool!!! loved them!
Is the rock in the 1st shot connected? Or is it really just balanced there? How'd that happen? Inquiring minds want to know! heheheee
I see what you mean about the 'Titanic' shot... God really made that place awesome!!! =)
The next one looks like a tall back swivel chair w/ arm rests... this is fun to guess the rock formations! LoL!
One thing that gets me is how does grass grow there? It seems like it'd be too dry for anything to grow...
The slideshow feature is definitely a plus for blogger...
Great shots, Betsy, & can't wait to see some arches
happy week
We've been to Arches, and we loved it. But it was HOT! We were there in May of 2009. Even when we were in the area in late September of this year, it was around 100 degrees there. Loved this group of photos and looking forward to more.
Nature certainly is a wonderful sculptor. Amazing sights.
Have a wonderful time leaf peeping.
it's like looking at cloud formations....fun to see what you come up with.
That's some amazing rocks. Erosion is an irresistable force
Again Betsy wonderful pictures, and i really love that top image because i could see that rock on top falling down! Richard from Amish Stories.
Awesome and interesting pictures - it does look hot - 107 degrees - a bit too hot for me. Have a good weekend. sandie
I'm glad you like the "Lightbox" feature, I loath it. It doesn't allow me to view your amazing photos, at full screen and that a tragedy!
Beautiful formations. I wouldn't want to stand under them, either though! :) Loved the names of the formations - each name was so descriptive.
Fabulous photos. I saw the praying hands too, before you even mentioned it.
Once again, Betsy, you transported me to a place I most likely will never see in person, especially at 107 degrees...loved every photo, so very unreal. Have a great time enjoying the last of the colors of the Smokies.
BlessYourLuckyHeart
Those arches do have a magnetic quality that pull one's attention towards them and hold us there. I loved your picture of the huge ship and of the lamb on top of the rock ... well, loved all of them really. Great pictures!
All of these photos are beautiful, but it's "The Three Gossips" formation that really captures my imagination. Surely, at some point in time, someone must have told a story that these three "people" were cast in stone as punishment for their wicked, wagging tongues. If there is no such legend (I'm too lazy to Google it), let's start one now, shall we?
Hi Betsy, Nice pictures. I have never been to the Arches National Park. We almost went there last month on our trip out West, but decided to go a different direction at the last minute. Have a great time in the Smoky Mountains!
It is so wonderful to worship our Creator by giving HIM the credit for the beautiful and fascinating world HE has made for our enjoyment! I'd have trouble too in the heat! We never did get to see these - phenomenal sculptures. And yes, I see all those things you mentioned!You have taken amazing photos Betsy - always the right angle and the right lighting!
You have certainly shown us some wonderful pictures of Utah. I've learned a lot and enjoyed your trip very much. Thank you. Have a good time in the Smokies. That's one place I would love to see.
Take care of yourselves.
Rosalie
I love that first picture of the rock doing a balancing act! Your praying hands are my chocolate mousse!! Bad deacon, BAD deacon!!! I don't see the sheep, but love these formations anyway!! But I DO see the Titanic!!!
I wonder if lightning ever strikes them? That was my first thought. I surely would love to see this place...wonderful images.
Utah is a beautiful State and there sure is plenty to see! But guess what Betsy......I haven't been to Arches! Finally made it to Bryce this year and it was Stijn's favorite.
Someday I'll do a post about our trip haha!
Enjoy your weekend and those gorgous fall colors!
Debbie
Fantastic Photos! I've never been to Utah but looking at your pics causes me to want to go :-)
Very neat to see these rock formations Betsy! I thought the praying hands looked like a bird w/ his beak sticking out - ha,ha! What other fabulous trips do you & george have planned?
I've missed you!!! (But glad we get to chat on Facebook!)
Hugs,
Shelley
It's gorgeous but I imagine that in 107 degree weather it would not be so enjoyable. I don't like crowds either
Beautiful pictures.
I was just about to say, "where are the arches?" Go there in September if you can. We did one year and had a great time hiking out to see many of the arches. Good weather for hiking there then.
Wow, what beauty. 107 degrees sounds a little warm to me. The titanic and the sheep rocks are my favorite but I love them all.. Hugs, Susie
Those rock formations hold all kinds of interesting things. Very eerie really. Diane
I;m always astounded by what the forces of nature can accomplish. Wonder how long it took to erode away all that rock.
Betsy
The more I follow your post, the more I realize there's a lot more out there for me to see than I knew about!! Amazing arches!
My son and his family went to Arches NP this summer, Betsy, and I enjoyed seeing his photos of it and now yours. We live in such a beautiful country!
All your travels and photos are amazing! I agree with the names of the formations! and of what you saw in their shapes. Yes, I think a trip back in cooler weather would be a good idea. :o)
Blessings & Aloha!
I goofed up on my link and after I re-posted it, Dawn so sweetly added me back to the list. But I didnt want to lose any of the lovely comments left, such as yours, so I have a double post of it! Thank you for always taking the time to stop by and for your kind comments of the art I do and of my family :o) Hugs to you!!!
What a fascinating place, I just love rock formations. That one does look like the Titanic.
I have been seeing the slide show on some blogs for about a month, I guess it is taking them awhile to get all blogs changed over.
Don't worry about the feral cats. We are very careful about not getting scratched. One of our group is an animal control officer, we have several vet techs and the rest of us have a lot of experience with animals. Our main concern is keeping our captures calm and safe before, during and after the procedures.
Have a great weekend!
Beautiful! It may have been hot, but you had great lighting, I'll say that! We went through there on a tour and got to see some of those formations and a few arches too. I want to go back to this place too!!! We could probably spend a week exploring all the nooks and crannies. We went in April, so the temperature was perfect. There were other visitors but I would hesitate to call it crowded. I think it would be a good time for you to consider.
I immediately thought of the praying hands on that one photo. And yes, I do like that new blogger feature! The slide show shows them at the bigger uploaded size too! It was a nice surprise when I discovered that trick a couple of weeks ago!
Beautiful! We drove through Arches in April and we encountered snow as I remember it. Stunning scenery! I see praying hands too in the one photo. And thanks for the blogger tip, I'm not sure I would have ever noticed that!
beautiful pictures.thanks for sharing..god bless you loves from holland
Who built those? Which giant?? Fascinating work of nature!!
This is just amazing, Betsy! Love this post so much. I would love to see the West, and I appreciate you sharing Utah with us.
XO,
Sheila
What a trip and some fine rocks depicted here.
My children and I visited Arches many years ago in late May or early June with a family friend. I will never forget how hot it was. I think it was one of the hottest days I remember in my entire life. You are very right. Do not go to Arches in the summer or even in late spring.
It is a very beautiful place though. I need to go back again - in the spring!
Gorgeous Betsy...
I too saw the praying hands...I love to see things like this... The rock formations, the clouds and even the mountains....I love coming away seeing more than just a rock or white cloud.
Blessings,,,
Hi Betsy, i can't imagine the age of those areas, they are very, very old! Your photos are so beautiful, and yes they are beautiful but scary. People are really good in naming nature, in Sydney, Australia they have Three Sisters for the 3 peaks of mountains!
titanic? YES, I see that...How cool!
praying hands is exactly what I saw before I read your caption!! :)
Such an adorable Sheep!
107 degree heat! I don't think I could get ANYONE in my family to go there in that kind of heat! I don't think I would mind it so much though. I can do heat sooo much better than I can cold! :)
Love & Hugs!
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