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Published: March 22nd 2013
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Lots to do today!
My morning began at the Sego Canyon Petroglyph site. The canyon is located behind a tiny little town in Utah and it’s worth a visit. The red petroglyphs are eerie to look at. One wonders what its makers had in mind. Were they ancestor/aliens? Were they spirits/angels/aliens? Were they shamans/aliens? Or just simply aliens/aliens? I liked the elongated one the best. The wall that was my favorite was lower to the ground and they were life-sized. I couldn't help but take a picture with them, making me a descendant/alien.
I was then ready to head to Dead Horse Point State Park. You pretty much have to pass by it on the way to Canyonlands National Park. It is a great place to see the effects of the river as it eroded the red rock into an awesome canyon.
After a short drive I finally made it to Canyonlands National Park. It is a huge park and you could probably spend a whole day in one of the sections. I decided to go to the Islands in the Sky district. I thought I was already in the canyon when I realized I was actually still
pretty high up in the sky. As I stood on the cliff I looked down upon the huge canyon below me. It was as if the great spirits (I am going with a Native American theme here) made a canyon then put another canyon in the canyon and then, just to kick it up a notch, threw in another canyon in there as well!
There is also iconic Mesa Arch in Canyonlands. Its a short hike to this wonderful place. The arch provides a perfect window through which to view the canyon through.
Today was the day I started paying more attention to the ravens that hang around the place. I am fascinated by these birds. There always seems to be two of them together. It makes me want to know more about them. I mean they are ravens and not crows right? I can't tell them apart yet. I think you have to look at the bill to know for sure. Either way, ravens/crows have a lot of mythological, folkloric, and cultural power to them. I love seeing them fly about and hang out nearby.
After my half day at Canyonlands I decided to head over
to Moab to visit Arches National Park. I stopped to see some more glyphs on the way before reaching Arches. I liked the fat figures the best. Those were probably me in another life.
I finally reached Arches late in the day but I was assured that it was the right time since I'd be able to witness the sun setting color spectacle that Delicate Arch would present. But first I took a drive around to see some of the lesser-known formations. I drove past the petrified dunes, north and south arch, the Garden of Eden, the Three Gossips, Balanced Rock, and others. I took a couple of short hikes to see some of the arches and saw how solid and big the arches actually look.
Finally I headed over to Delicate Arch. That is the Arch that they always showcase when people talk of Arches. To get there you must go on a short 3-mile hike THAT NEARLY KILLED ME!!!!!!! Seriously, I was not prepared for the endurance required for this hike! I thought, "Oh 3 miles, sure easy! Wait, no water? Oh I'll be back soon anyway." It was the worst-most-deserved-worth-it hike of my life! The
hike starts pretty easy. Then you go up and up and up. And then you go down. Then back up and once you think you are reaching the end of going up you end up going up some more. Then a restful field of still going up. Then you reach the final trail along a cliff. This is also going uphill. I had no water, I really needed it. I've done some foolish things in life before and this one is probably one of the dumbest. Along the way, the people who were coming back down kept assuring me that I was close. Did I look that bad and awful?
But when that Arch finally comes into view as you turn the trail it all becomes worth it! The colors were amazing. The shape was gran and exquisite. A lot of people sit at the edge of the natural amphitheater and take in the site. I sat there for a good hour not just because I wanted to, but because I had to. The hike wore me out! Also, you can walk down to the arch and get a close up view but I encourage people to boo whoever
Proudly Posing
If I have some Mexican Indian in me, does this mean I am part Native Meximerican too? does so. Get out of the way and let people take pictures without your tired-arse mug in it!
As the sun was close to setting I decided to head back down. The hike was easier but still I struggled. I wish I had just a tiny little bit of water with me. There are trail markers made of stone slabs along the way. I took a break and decided to add a small marker myself as a way to thank the spirits for letting me live through this ordeal. I went back down to the car to find myself a motel in Moab.
When I finally found one all they had left was a three-bed palace for $200. I probably should plan these vacations a bit better. But that’s what I get for a spur of the moment trip! Lesson learned.
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