Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef & Escalante

If it is possible to gorge on National Parks,
we did so on this trip.

Beginning with Bryce, these parks are so rich in geologic history, so breath-taking in beauty, and so close together on a map that travelers are left with a choice: to go fast or to go slow.

Go fast and you can see -- and say you saw -- them all.  Go slowly and and see fewer, more leisurely, and, probably, more enjoyably.

The choice was clear.  We would go fast.

We (or, in this case,  I) couldn't bear to leave one out.

Imagine yourself eating several hearty helpings of your favorite dinner topped off with multiple servings of apple pie with ice cream.

The results were similar after we whipped through Escalante and Capitol Reef.  Groans of physical distress.  Whines of 'why' and 'how come' and 'again?'    And even some outright irritability.

After we sped through Arches and Canyonlands, someone, who shall remain nameless but has long hair and is over 20, even uttered words that were near blasphemous to me.  As I waxed on about how beautiful it all was, she said something about it looking 'all the same' and there were 'lots of red rocks.'

A Big Balancing Red Rock

Arches National Park

More Red Rocks, Arches National Park

Another Big Red Rock,  Arches National Park

Speedy though it was, the trip was a blast.  It was a great family adventure; the sites, unmatched. 

King of the Hill during our hike in Escalante.

The Grand Staircase - Escalante National Monument covers an enormous area.  I was hoping to go on an awesome hike through some narrows, especially Zebra Canyon.  Time was too short, though, and we settled on a shorter one.  

We had some awesome views on the drive out.  Still I found that our best view of the Grand Staircase came as we were driving into Utah from 89A.  We were not expecting it and were absolutely blown away by the scene that unfolded as we rounded the mountain curve:  four mountainous, multicolored cliffs rising up to the heavens.   I found myself frustrated that the best way  to describe the experience was to parrot Led Zeppelin, "Like a stairway to heaven!"

Proof that not all the rocks were red.  In fact, Capitol Reef gets its name, in part, from a great white sandstone formation resembling the Capitol dome.  The other part, Reef, comes from its shape and the barrier that it represented early travelers.  

Close on a map and close in Utah is not necessarily close.  Once again, we found ourselves running too short on time to learn and engage the way we'd have liked.

Still smiling at Arches.

Into the nitty gritty at Arches.

Arches was a fantastic tour.  The story of every park was attached in some way to those we'd been to before it.  While different in presentation, Arches was reminiscent of Bryce.  Fragile red rocks eroding into teetering towers and gaping windows.

We drove around the park and stopped at the well-known highlights along the way:  Devil's Garden, The Windows, and Delicate Arch.   Delicate Arch is well-known as the arch featured on Utah's license plate.

Cacti were in full bloom.

 

Just before he scored the Canyonlands pin for his banner.

Before we left to Canyonlands, we were strongly encouraged to go to Dead Horse State Park for a truly unique surprise.  They said, "Unless you just want to say you've been to the National Park, you should go to Dead Horse."

We were committed to going to the National Park.  It was gorgeous, as you'd expect.   Still, I wonder what we missed at Dead Horse.  If you've been, do let us know!

We took time to enjoy a rafting ride on the Colorado, too.  We'll tell you all about in our next blog!