Delicate Arch...

Our dear friend Susan had told us months ago that we should try and walk the Fiery Furnace hike inside Arches National Park. This is a very popular hike and you require a permit as the park limits this terrain to only 70 people per day. You are advised to attempt this hike with as guide as it is very easy to get lost. So the first thing we did when we entered the park three days ago was to stop at the Ranger Station and enquire about this hike - and a good thing we did because the first hike we could book was on our last day! Today was the day we had been looking forward to, but we were due to meet at 1pm in the afternoon, so we had time after breakfast to visit Delicate Arch - possibly the parks most famous site.

We set off for our 3 mile hike full of energy. At the beginning of the hike we passed The Wolfe Ranch. The Ranch was settled in the late 1800's by John Wesley Wolfe and his son. John moved west from Ohio looking for a drier climate, due to a nagging leg injury he received in the Civil War. John selected a tract of 100 acres of land along Salt Wash for its water and grassland - enough for a few cattle. The tiny cabin was tiny and sparse - how they survived in this harsh terrain I can't begin to imagine!

 The hike was all up hill though soft sand and over slick rock. I started to worry that such a big hike in the morning and possibly a four hour hike after lunch might be to much for the kids?

We knew when we started that the best pictures were taken at this location were shot in the afternoon. However, if we were going to see Delicate Arch it was now or never - so Yasemin and I practiced our sun start photography and drank up the beautiful view. Our photograph does not do any justice to the amazing view.

Our walk back to the car was all down hill and much faster than the way up! We took a minor detour and saw examples of Ute petroglyphs.  This petroglyph panel is believed to be comprised of historic Ute images since it shows people on horseback, and horses were adopted by the Utes only after they were introduced by the Spanish.

We arrived back at the car with an hour to return to camp, eat, rehydrate and meet at the Fiery Furnace hike!

Dead Horse State Park and Canyonlands...

Today we headed out of Arches National Park and travelled into Thelma and Louise country. Dead Horse State Park is where the famous finale was filmed an it was even more impressive in real life!


In the movie our hearts freeze as their car flies off the edge of the cliff in the final scene. Towering 2000 feet above the Colorado River, the neck of the formation was used by cowboys to corral and capture wild horses. One time a herd of unwanted mustangs was inadvertently left waterless behind a 50 feet fence, where they died of thirst. Dead Horse Point is a marvel of form and color!

Although you may not guess it by its name, Dead Horse Point State Park is a stunning place. It sits atop a lofty mesa with see-forever views, stunning cliffs, canyon rims, fun and challenging mountain bike trails and hiking trails that lead to even more grand views.

I discovered the work of local artist Serena Surpplee in the State Park shop and couldn't resist purchasing a 2013 calender featuring her watercolour paintings. Serena works in watercolours, oils, and sculpture. She also uses the Giclee printing process, making it possible to produce a print of her paintings. Her artworks made me want to stop and start painting immediately - they are simple yet capture the magical landscape.

The next stop was not far up the road - Canyonlands National Park. The park is divided into four districts by the Green and Colorado rivers: the Island in the Sky, the Maze, the Needles, and the rivers themselves.

The Island in the Sky is the most accessible district,and we were rewarded with expansive views from many overlooks along the paved scenic drive. We spent the remainder of our day exploring the key lookout points.

With limited time we still managed to complete a short hike to the Mesa Arch. The trail ends in front of an elegant stone that spans fifty feet across the top of a 500-foot vertical cliff. Mesa Arch is classified as a pothole arch because it was formed by surface water that pooled on the sandstone behind the arch, slowly eroding the rock. The result is an arch that dangles across the mesa’s edge.

Geology aside, the arch provides the frame for a stunning Utah landscape.

As the sun was setting we stopped at the Visitor Center on our way back to Moab. Yasemin and Max had both completed their Junior Ranger booklets and were rewarded with two more badges to add to heir collection.

We headed in to the Moab Brewery for dinner. We were all starved after such a huge day. We feasted on some of the best burgers we have eaten while in the US, while Garry sampled some boutique beer from the Brewery - another great end to a wonderful day.

Thanksgiving Part 3....

Finally Thanksgiving actually arrived. We woke in freezing conditions surrounded by the amazing view. After a fantastic breakfast of bacon and eggs we started to thaw as the sun shone.

We eagerly headed out on our first hike, conveniently just metres from our camp. We were headed for Sand Dune Arch and were all excited to be out on such a beautiful day.

Yasemin and Max were on the lookout for treasures. Yasemin proudly discovered a small animal bone and while Max was hunting for Lizards he had his first mishap with a cactus.

But even Max's upset could not ruin the magic of the surroundings. He quickly forgot his injury with the discovery of the first arrowhead. But the real delight was the amazing Arch.

After a quick lunch we headed down to check out the visitors centre so the kids could collect their Junior Ranger booklets and we could get some advice from the Rangers regarding some of the more challenging hikes as it was starting to get late and the sun started setting by 4.30pm.

I was fascinated by the books and artwork for sale. I was particularly interested in a box of greeting cards featuring posters from the Works Progress Administration circa 1939. Between 1935 and 1943 the WPA project printed over 2 million posters in 35,000 different designs to stir the public's imagination for theatre, education, health safety and travel. Due to their fragile nature only 2,000 have survived. The National Park Posters shown below are examples of 4 such designs.

With the light fading fast we headed to visit Balancing Rock with a few photo detours along the way.
We were chasing the light and not winning.

And then - magic happened! The light was amazing and in the perfect position to photograph the enormous boulder precariously balanced.

We headed back to camp to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings - Turkey, Ham, Stuffing, Roast Potatoes, Snow Peas and even Cranberry Jelly! This lavish spread was made complete with Pumpkin and Pecan Pie.

Today I was very thankful for family, friends and the wonderful opportunities we have had this year.

Thanksgiving Part 2 - Our Road Trip to Moab....

We were very excited about the prospect of another five day long weekend - this time for the Thanksgiving Holiday! We were lucky enough to have been invited to spend this holiday with many but could not resist on last road trip.

Our original plan in the summer was to start by visiting the town of Moab and stay in Arches National Park. we quickly changed this plan due to the extreme heat this year and have been saving this trip for another time. Time that we are sadly lacking with roughly on month remaining in Colorado.

We were packed and excited and ready for adventure. We left right on time - 6am, yes for anyone who knows us this was a record - but Susan had arrived and was keen for us to maintain the schedule. We met with other friends; Rod and Anita for breakfast a few hours later in the town of Frisco.

The final drive into Moab was breathtaking due to more of the best scenery Utah has to offer!

Due to our early start we made great time and arrived at Arches National Park camping ground with a couple of hours before dark - plenty of time to set up a great camp. Susan sprang into action and started to crush ice for our Margarita's while we set up our camp.

The campsite was in the most wonderful spot - named Devil's Garden! We all agreed this was our favourite camping site in the US. Garry and I were overwhelmed by the magnificent views, while Yasemin and Max spent hours destroying their clothing as they climbed and slid down the massive rock formations - always on the lookout for rattlesnakes!

The weather was great during the day but as soon as the sun set temperatures dropped to below zero. Our camp fire was a wonderful way to keep warm.

It felt like I was a character in a children's storybook - surrounded by these giant illuminated shapes.

As the night grew darker the amazing night sky changed to reveal hundreds of stars in the unpolluted sky. I had read that Moab was famous for star gazing but was still super impressed with the clarity and beauty. We spent many hours gazing and debating the location of constellations and planets.

Goodbye Hammy Sandwich...

Without a doubt one of the best days this year was the day I arrived home from Pet smart, with a Guinea Pig for Yasemin for her birthday. She actually cried real tears of joy and instantly bonded with the little, baby animal.

She named him Hammy - as in a yummy Hammy Sandwich,  because he was so yummy! An instant bond was formed with Yasemin and Hammy adoring each other.

We knew the day would come when we would have to say goodbye to Hammy, we thought this day actually arrived some months back when Hammy was playing with Yasemin in the back yard. Yas was distracted by something and Hammy made a break for freedom and dashed into the giant wood pile. I was certain that was the last of our little friend, especially with the big dog Fifa living on the other side of the fence.

But Yasemin and Hammy were not meant to be separated so soon. Max located Hammy late the following day, much to all of our relief and Yas ended her period of mourning.

The dreaded day did arrive last Monday. Yasemin's lovely friend Skylar took Hammy home - but not before one last photo shoot which was followed by the inevitable bucket load of tears.

We miss you already Hammy - good luck in your new life with Skylar!