Arches and Canyonlands

Sorry for the lack of posting, but we took a mini vacation into the wild lands of Utah for some hiking and site seeing and made it back just in time for the Thanksgiving cooking marathon.

Utah has so much to offer the outdoor lovers in our family and I'll tell you, late fall is the time to go to some of these national parks.  We missed the crowds and the heat and the brisk weather was nearly perfect.  We hiked nearly 13 miles in two days and saw some absolutely spectacular scenery and geological features.  Here are just a few photos from our adventures.

This was just one of the views on the drive.

Entrance to Arches National Park

Within Arches National Park

Balanced Rock (one of many)

Our outdoor lovers against the diverse landscape of Arches

Turret Arch

Beneath Double Arch

North Window Arch

Petroglyphs near Delicate Arch (We did not make it to the famous Delicate Arch, after hiking 2.5 of the 3 miles to the arch the sun was almost set and we had to turn back.  We had to run much of the way back to the car to beat the sunset)

The next morning we explored Canyonlands National Park.  We were above the cloud cover.  I love this shot of the clouds pouring into the canyon.

Hiking into the clouds--this is not fog, but actual clouds!

Peering into the cloud filled canyon

After several hours the clouds did finally lift and we were able to see into one side of the canyons.

Peering into the expansive depths of Canyonlands

Canyonlands seen through the Mesa Arch

Wilderness family at Mesa Arch in Canyonlands