Day 05: Arches


Today was dedicated to Arches National Park. Hundreds of arches scatter the park, carved out over millennia by the forces of nature. It was like visiting an art museum dedicated to nature's sculptures. 

We spent much of the day trying to wrap our minds around how natural forces could construct such intricate and delicate works of art. If a human were to attempt to replicate such structures, they would be challenged not only by the immense scale but also by the small details. They would never think to include the "flaws" of  the rock--the cracks and nuances in texture that are part of what make it so mesmerizing.

Featured here are some pretty sweet photos from Grey's new camera and Abby's mere iPhone. 


Balanced Rock: A 128-foot tall formation featuring a boulder of Entrada sandstone that is eroding more slowly than the mudstone pedestal on which is teeters.

Double Arch: the tallest arch in the park

Abby under Double Arch

View from Double Arch

Grey playing with the Aperture settings that he doesn't understand yet

Delicate Arch: claims to be the most photographed arch in the world, and after spending almost an hour taking it in, we can see why

Abby silhouetted by Delicate Arch feat. La Sal Mountains on the horizon

This Arch had a name but we forgot it
Allegedly there used to be two connected arches between these rocks--reminds you that despite the long time-scale, these formations are transient

Double O Arch 

Landscape Arch: the widest and most miraculous arch in the park. Part of the arch fell in the early 20th century and yet it is still standing

Partition Arch: frames a beautiful landscape view. Our favorite 'hidden gem' in the park. 

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