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Published: April 21st 2011
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We have always watched National Geographic and have marveled at the big buffalo struggling through small mountains of snow in Yellowstone National Park. Well we wanted to experience that first hand. We have fallen in love with photography, we just got our new Canon lens, so why not? Now, remember we live in a desert, and we have never really been to a northern cold place, especially during winter. We knew there had to be preparation, so we donated some money to the Albuquerque REI, in return for some much warmer clothes, jackets, and snow shoes (keep in mind I wear flip flops rain, snow, or sunshine.)
We started driving the day after Christmas, north through Farmington, NM and on to MOAB, Utah. Once we got into the Four Corners area of Colorado, it was just white all over into Utah. It was the first time for both of us to experience a true winter wonderland. We stopped in Moab for breakfast at EKLECTICA. A very funky little place, where antiques meet Greenpeace...definitely well worth it. We had a great breakfast and hot coffee. Then we were on to ARCHES NATIONAL PARK.
What an incredible place. The park has an
Horses
On our way to Moab 18-MILE DRIVE paved for most of the way. One trick to National Parks - there is an annual pass for $80 which gets you and any passengers into the park for free. Just FYI. Southern Utah is painted with red rock, from Moab to Zion. The colors were highlighted all around with snow...really beautiful. First stop was the BALANCED ROCK. It is exactly what the name says. Huge rock of probably a couple tons balancing on top of practically nothing. As we were driving we saw little white "hills" in the distance. At first we figured it was just snow on the ground, but it turned out to be PETRIFIED SANDDUNES. Never heard of sandunes in this state, just always assumed rocks and trees were petrified. The WINDOWS ARCHES are these massive arches with incredible views. We got some really, really nice pictures here. DELICATE ARCH was to be our last stop. Now if you know us (and followed some of our other stories) you know that we always find a way to make things interesting (we still had to drive to SALT LAKE CITY). The sign said it was a 1.5 mile hike round trip to Delicate Arch. So
Moab
Still wearing flip-flops! we set off on our hike (in case you didn't know, Delicate Arch is the official symbol of Utah and can be found on license plates). We walked and walked and walked. The directions were easy! Just follow the little rock piles (drowned with snow) and keep moving up! We hit the slick rock and starting having our usual fun - meaning really actually enjoying each other, but not paying a lick of attention to anything else. And so before long there are no more little rock piles anywhere in sight. We went left, right, up, down, through snow, over rocks (you get the picture). Finally we saw it, but we were on the wrong side (go figure,) so we had to hike all the way around to get there. We finally got there and it truly is an iconic monument. It's the middle of nowhere, and there is a solid, yet delicate arch standing tall. We just sat of the ledge, soaked in sun, a winter chill, and another picturesque scene. It's good to create memories. The hike back down was uneventful and we were finally on our way to Salt Lake City. It wasn't very exciting, but you
can get a sense of a more rural life, with conservative towns, might mountains, mines, and wonder how this land can me so symbolic for a religion. We finally made it to Salt Lake City, and we were freezing for the first time of the day.
We've always heard that Salt Lake is an incredible Christmas city and oh we were not disappointed. Being the capital city for the Mormon Faith, they pull out all the bells and whistles! TEMPLE SQUARE was busy, cold, lit-up, and very Christmassy. Yes it was very, very, very cold. Definately try and do Salt Lake City around Christmas time, because it truly is something to see (just dress warm). We barely made it in time for the MORMON CHOIR ORGAN. It is an amazing musical instrument and is just amazing how big it is. Unfortunately we were kicked out within a couple minutes so it was hard to appreciate it. The city itself just has lights everywhere. The TEMPLE was breathtaking in itself. And that was the end of our day that started at 2 in the morning.
Well only 2 things to cross off - Arches National Park and Temple Square.
Arches National Park
We got some great pictures!! 76 down and 3,246 to go.
The trip continues tomorrow...
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