We arrived at the Visitors Centre of Arches National Park shortly after 10:00 this morning. It was a gorgeous morning...going to be another beautiful day. We found out that there was going to be a guided walk at the Windows section of the park at 11:00. Since it was going to be about a 25 minute drive, we decided to head off right away...we will check out the displays at the Visitors Centre later.
Such an incredible area....
We arrived at The Windows trailhead parking lot where half of the spots were closed off as workers were tarring cracks...sheesh...but we managed to get parked in the lower lot. We met Ranger Gretchen, a nice young lady from Virgina. Another couple, Derek and Claire, from Surrey joined in the guided walk as did another young fellow. We were chatting before we headed off on the walk...they too had done a similar trip down to the eastern and southern States as we had last year. 
After a 45 minute walk up to the South Window, stopping along the way and learning more about the desert, vegetation and how the arches were formed, the guided walk ended. We said out goodbyes and continued on our own. We took the trail to Turret Arch and then back towards The Windows. Rather than going back the way we came, we chose to take the primitive trail that looped around back to the parking lot. Steve took lots of pictures...
North and South Windows...
It was 12:30 when we got back to the truck so we decided to have our lunch. There were no picnic tables so we were sitting in the truck when there was a tap on the door. It was Derek and Claire...as it turns out, they recognized our truck...we had met them last year where we were both camped at the same campground...we can’t remember where but it was down south somewhere. Wow...what a small world...what are the chances that we would be at the same place at the same time again this year? We had a nice chat with them...they are on their way down to Mesa, Arizona where, for the first time, they have rented a spot for 4 months. This is the first time they have chosen to stay put in one spot...Claire isn’t sure how they will like it.
It was 12:30 when we got back to the truck so we decided to have our lunch. There were no picnic tables so we were sitting in the truck when there was a tap on the door. It was Derek and Claire...as it turns out, they recognized our truck...we had met them last year where we were both camped at the same campground...we can’t remember where but it was down south somewhere. Wow...what a small world...what are the chances that we would be at the same place at the same time again this year? We had a nice chat with them...they are on their way down to Mesa, Arizona where, for the first time, they have rented a spot for 4 months. This is the first time they have chosen to stay put in one spot...Claire isn’t sure how they will like it.
There was still one more arch to see in this area, so Steve headed out on the trail to see the Double Arch while I finished my lunch. I met up with him just as he was on his way back...
One of the most popular Arches to see is the Landscape Arch...it is featured on the brochure we received about the park. It was a moderately easy 2.6km (1.6 mile) trail with some elevation gain...okay, we‘ll start with that and then see about going further to some of the other Arches that are further out.
It was a beautiful and very scenic walk...
After taking a bunch of pictures of Landscape Arch, we decided to continue onto Double-O Arch, about another 2 ½ miles. My knee wasn`t doing too bad...that knee support I had bought the other day seems to help. 
The trail between Landscape Arch and Double-O Arch is described as “difficult with many short elevation changes, rocky footing, some exposure to heights”...and they weren`t kidding! It was quite a hike! But the vistas were absolutely amazing...
It was well worth the hike in!
On our way back a hiker “Joe” asked how much further to the Double–O Arch as he left his wife behind on the first steep part (she apparently has my phobia). We said it was about 20 minutes away. He thought about it for a bit then asked us if we would tell his wife that he will be awhile. He started off then turned and asked if we would give her his car keys in case she didn’t want to wait on the trail. We asked what kind of car...her name and what’s she wearing. Away we went and 45 minutes later we saw Laura patiently waiting. Steve approached her and asked if her name was Laura. Yes, she said. Steve then said “Joe didn’t make it and he gave us the keys to your Jeep. Do ya need a ride?” She laughed and said “so I got to go and drag his bones back!” Too funny!
It was just after 4:30 by the time we got back to the truck...hot and tired but very glad we had hiked to see both Arches. There were also some side trips off to other Arches but we did not take them.
On our way back towards the park entrance, we made a number of stops to take pictures. We even got out at Sand Dune Arch trailhead to take the short hike in to see it...very cool...
The Fiery Furnace...
Petrified Dune...
If you would like to see all pictures taken during our visit to Arches National Park, please see our web album at Arches National Park Pictures
It was after 6:30 by the time we got home. What an incredible day! We were thoroughly enthralled with all the rock formations that dotted the landscape...all of it was amazing!
We managed to get the oven lit (it has been acting up again) and I put a tray of lasagne in for dinner...we would be having a later than usual dinner tonight. It was the second tray that I had made when preparing dinners for Steve`s hunting trip...and it was very tasty (if I do say so myself!)
We went to bed exhausted...what an awesome day...
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