We are now the proud owners of an annual pass to the national park system (NPS). If you plan to go to two or more parks within a week to ten days, pay the extra $10 and get the pass that provides access to all parks and is good for a year. The park service deserves your support.
This morning we walked the local community walking trail in Glenwood Springs that follows the Colorado River up to its fork with the White River (hence “Roaring Fork Valley”). It was warm and pleasant and we encountered the friendliest folk (walkers, bikers, boaters, fishermen) since Omaha.
Tom runs into Hokies everywhere, while wearing his ubiquitous VT hat. The trails in Glacier and Teton, along with Estes Park, led to unexpected salutations of “Go Hokies!” — even from parents of Hokies. It was funny and wonderful. Of course I have not met any members of the Tribe, but then it would help if I wore a ubiquitous hat like Tom.
Today turned into a glorious day — because Tom and I made a discovery. But more on that shortly. As we worked our way south and west, we found ourselves in warmer weather and a changing landscape. Red rock made its debut as we toured the tiny park of Colorado National Monument. We saw magnificent rock formations from the tenuous road that wound its way through the park.
But on the way to Arches National Park, we chose to take the more direct route of Utah 128 to the park entrance. A rough road and the abandoned wreck that once was the town of Cisco piqued our concern until we were about 15 miles in, when the landscape metamorphosed into the stunningly beautiful. Towering, vermillion, up-thrust rock monuments surrounded us and the CO river as it meandered its way through narrow and broad valleys. We felt as if we had tripped onto a Hollywood western movie set, the sights were so dramatic. I took many pictures, but none of them did justice to the color, size, light and shadow at play. We just kept driving, and turning corners, our mouths hanging open. Tom was as awed as I was. Both of us could not believe this area was not its own national park.
So by the time we got to Arches… it was almost anti-climactic. But not quite. Arches shows off just as much drama, when viewed against the purple back-drop of the La Sal mountain range and punctuated by striking clouds and clear air to the south. In addition to popping out of the car every few minutes for a photo, we also hiked up to the double arch formation, which was not difficult. Since it was later in the day when we finally arrived at the park, the lighting was rich against the red rock and occasional green brush. This area may be dusty and dry, with precipitation limited to 10 inches or less per year, but you cannot beat that compelling color combination of rust-colored land and azure sky.
Tomorrow: Canyonlands.
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