Southwest Trip 2016, Arches arrival, Balanced Rock, and Double Arch

Because of our reservations, we had to skip over Capitol Reef and drive straight to Arches (and then double back for the last leg of our trip).  I was a little disappointed because I found out the girl I used to babysit for something like 5 years was vacationing with her husband and children (from Colorado) and I just missed her by one day.  

Arches, is the most "family" friendly National Park of the 5 we visited.  It is well maintained, the trails are short (I think the most we hiked was 3 miles at a time) and safe, and there are tons of rocks for climbing on.  I think the children really enjoyed their time here.  

Heading out (about a 4 hour drive from Bryce):





We had a big flat rock in our campsite that made a perfect boundary space for the children to run and play on.


This boy loves to read.  He discovered Harry Potter on the trip, quite by accident.  We had it on an Amazon account and even though we have gone back and forth about if and when on the Harry Potter books, because he had listened to all the Hobbit, Eragon, and Chronicles of Narnia...we let him go ahead.  He has really enjoyed the series and read the first 4 books on the trip.

Making cairns

Observation

Collecting


 When Phil and I went to Arches in 2001 (in June) we didn't even notice the mountain ranges.  It was a beautiful time of the year to visit the desert.  We could hike comfortably (we didn't hike in June...too hot!), and we loved seeing the snow capped ranges.




Balanced Rock






Double Arches










 Sunset from our campsite


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