It's About the (RV) Journey....: In search of Arches....................

So, I downloaded a book to my phone, "Alabama Arches", that describes where some of the arches are and what they look like. Of course, we missed an interesting and scenic arch on our hike yesterday, and we thought we'd repeat that trail just so we could find the Lathe Arch. We also wanted to extend the hike, so we'd be hiking at least 3 miles up and over some of the hills, and then through the desert back to our car.

The Lathe Arch was supposed to be just west of the Mobius arch, but we could not find it. We looked around, and finally saw it, a little off the trail. (We don't like to go off trail at all-don't want to disturb anything).

We finally spotted it and then had to figure out how to get to it....hahhha. We met another (older) couple and had a nice chat and photo op with them. Hikers are usually so friendly! Anyway, we spent a lot of time (relatively) socializing, and then trying to get a good photo of the arch...in the meantime it was getting later (hotter) in the morning. And there was no wind at all. Ugh! We weren't very smart!

so sweet

ok...here's the Mobius Arch, but where is the Lathe Arch?

searching for the elusive arch...ahhaha

hey....my arms are getting stronger Tom....guess lifting weights (ok, so just 8 lb. weights) is helping! (hahahah)

still searching for the Lathe Arch...we just can't seem to find it

there it is!

view towards the west

oh hey big guy-nice camo

it was a really short arch, and we just could not see it

trying to get a good photo

oh hi!

what a picture!

still gabbing away-but that is Mt. Whitney-the pointed peak towards the right, a little in the back

oh...another little arch?

Mobius Arch again...with Mt. Whitney to the far right

a photographer's playground!

I was wearing long things to protect me from the blazing sun in this high desert, but it was just getting too hot for me so off came the bottom of my hiking pants. Those zip off's are the best thing since sliced bread...ahahha.

zziiipppp

ahhhh

We continued on past the same beautiful sights we saw the day before, trying to be smarter about stopping for long photo ops so we could beat the heat.

love this

This particular spot is where a famous western was shot many years ago and hasn't changed much. We each posed for fun.

Errol Flynn in "Light Brigade"??

actually, the famous shot was taken up a little closer to the rounded rocks on the right

When the trail forked, we went left to go across the desert and up the hill we were on yesterday by the Eye of Alabama arch. We spotted the biggest lizard we've seen yet in nature. Fun! Lots of little guys scurrying all over, but this one was worthy of a photo stop. Haha

continuing on

woah!

these views are really amazing!

The new to us trail looked stark, until you actually walked it. The blooms and the rocks were really quite something, and of course that scenic background. Like a painting!

we haven't been on this trail yet

more peeling rocks...erosion in action

such pretty flowers everywhere

love the pop of pink

incredible views

We spotted another type of lizard too! A Northern Horned Lizard? This guy was pretty big as well, and looked like a cross between a frog and a lizard. Actually, it was getting super hot, and it looked to me like a miniature dinosaur. Hey....I said it was really hot!! Your mind does crazy things in the heat.

the horned lizard

close up

so many different types of wildflowers

We enjoyed the views heading toward the other trail we were on yesterday. The eroding rocks give some great landscaping ideas, don't you think? I especially like the plants growing out of little ledges of eroded rock. So pretty.

future caves and arches?

natural landscaping

I can see why this area was so popular with Hollywood!

We spotted something shiny across the way and thought that could be an arch, but on closer inspection of a close up shot...it just looks like some kind of shiny rock surface. However, are those a couple more arches down and to the right of that shiny thing? HHmm.

from a distance, that shiny spot looks like an arch

we are not sure what it is - but doesn't that look like an arch on the bottom right of the pic?

amazing views-doesn't get old

We headed back up the hill, past the Eye of Alabama arch we saw yesterday, to the top of the hill and this time we headed down. It was a little steep, and there were several up and downs that were short but steep, but we I did well and we continued. The views were so awesome.

The Eye of Alabama Arch again

heading up the hill (this is a shot looking back where we've come from-way back there!)

still heading up

sweet

As we continued on enjoying the views and the rock formations we saw, we were wondering just how far the trail would go, as we were getting kinda far from our car. And it was hot! Just as we were debating if we should turn around in case we I was heading toward a heat stroke or some other heat related disaster in the middle of nowhere with no cell service, we came to a hill that was really steep, the kind we I would slide down on my butt. Looking beyond that...the trail seemed to go on forever through the desert farther and farther away from our car. Sorry Tom.....no can do! Not today anyway.

the views once over the hill were extensive

lots of interesting sights

another arch!

oh boy...the trail drops very steeply here...and continues on forever through the desert....and our car is in the opposite direction!

checking GPS to see if that trail is going to turn soon, before we give up

So, we turned around at that point...to save this trail for a colder day, or at least a cloudier day, and headed back. The views were spectacular but the heat was unbearable for me. It was still only 11am by the time we were almost at the car, but the sun was just too much for me already. Know your limits and don't underestimate the dangers of hiking in the desert. Thankfully, I had my cooling kerchief and poured a bottle of water over my head, which really helped me. And that shirt that's supposed to keep you protected from the burning rays of the sun?...off that came...it felt like saran wrap. Ugh! Another fun day on the trails with Susie....right Tom! Hahahah! Actually, it was fun....until near the end when we were almost to the car.

Note: Admittedly, I have zero tolerance for heat. No kidding. But I think this demonstrates very clearly how things can go wrong very fast and how important it is to know your limits and admit it to yourself (even if you feel like a big loser and hate that you are the weakest link) and turn around before you get into a pickle. It is also good to be prepared when you set out even on a short hike. Thankfully I had my cooling kerchief and a ton of water, which I was also drinking quite frequently. Even though it is a little bit embarrassing to use myself as the bad example and to highlight my weaknesses to the world, if anyone else can learn something or just become a little more aware of possible challenges on the trails, than its worth it.