A few more Arches..............

We weren't able to see and do all we wanted at Arches National Park in one day, so we went back again for another visit. Being that high winds were expected, with strong gusts, we headed out early with plans to be back at the camper by lunchtime, when the "weather" was expected. Stopping briefly for the quick walk around Balancing Rock, we took a bunch of pics and enjoyed the scenery while it was still early in the day and the park was less crowded.

there it is...Balancing Rock

Balancing Rock

a bit windy today

balancing nicely

so slim

Proceeding to the Windows Section of the park, we hiked up to the North and South Window Arches, as well as the Turret Arch. They are all located together, and the trails loop around nicely. The wind was whipping up, so we were careful:)

OK

heading to Window Section of Arches National Park

the sentry

just checking us out

ready Susie?

nice visitor offered to take out pic together....aawww

Turret Arch,,,,in the distance

heading to North Window Arch

at the base of North Window Arch

heading to the South Window Arch

South Window Arch

heading to Turret Arch

North and South Window Arches  on this windy morning

Across the street from the North/South Window Arches is the Double Arch Trail. I really liked this one. The park service was working hard on the trail, moving rocks with a backhoe and digging ditches. Its great to see the care taken to keep the National Parks in good shape for the next generations to enjoy (hopefully)! The National Parks are truly a treasure!

on the way to Double Arch

there it is now

love the landscape

even with the sign up, people insist on walking on the cryptobiotic soil

another little arch on the way

we're here

love the desert environment....really beautiful

this one is really cool

all the formations around here are amazing

at the base

nice shot!

As we drove along and stopped at one of the scenic overlooks, Tom spotted some rock climbers. WOW! We watched for a few minutes and on our return, well...I'll let the pictures do the talking.

climbers

oh boy

hang in there buddy

working up to the top

I can hardly watch...no kidding!

yes, you are pretty high up

congratulations!!!

come on down now...its pretty windy 

enjoying the view

feeling the moment

be careful now

For our final hike of the day, we went back to Devil's Garden to go to the Landscape Arch. Right next to it is the Double O arches, which we could see as well. We enjoyed the walk, and we were careful not to end up on the difficult trail that spurred off our trail:)  Another great day in Arches. Hopefully, we will get back to hike the Park Avenue Trail.

look at all those colors

the views are great everywhere

so green

okay...at Devil's Garden

the wind is kicking up

going up again?

getting there

such cool rocks

heading to the Landscape Arch

cool landscape

isn't it?

more

Landscape Arch

and the Double O Arch

hard to see Landscape from here

but good view of Double O

a bunch of hikers going up

too much for me

Landscape Arch

can see it more clearly now

heading back

heading back still

the winds are kicking up big time...have to turn when the dust flies in our fast...not too much fun

The weather prediction was spot on, so we spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing in our chairs on our "patio", and then later when it go ridiculously windy, chillin' inside the camper. We both have so many hobbies (ahem...too many?) and we had no trouble being inside. By evening, we had to put the slides in as the gusts were pretty strong. The weather station forecasted 30-40 mph sustained winds, with gusts up to 70mph, so someone insisted on putting the slides in to avoid damage. Wow did the RV rock and roll with that wind!!

working on my beading project from Phoenix