March 24 -- Off to Goblin Valley and Arches National Park (at sunset)

Heading down towards to Moab today -- the kids chose Arches/Canyonlands (SE UT) over Snow Canyon/Zion (SW UT). The first stop will be Goblin Valley. I went there last year and had a good time --- just a good place to wander and climb around if you'd like (and my niece and nephews are mountain goast :))

Took Rte 6 just south of Provo SE toward Green River. This is shorter than driver I-70 and it'll take us thru the mountains --- which I wanted the kids to see. No snow left here until we got close to the summit --- but the views were clear. Hit the desert on the downside, drove thru Price, had lunch in Green River and down to see the Goblins.

Everyone's eye's lit up when they saw this little valley full of goblin-like rock formations and we began to wander.

My sister and I just followed where the kids went. And they went up/over, thru holes, up to holes just investigating. I even found a nice spot along the backwall in a little hole to snap a photo of everyone (excluding myself of course).

Spent a several hours just walking around. Or just "chilling".

Then off to Moab and the hotel (yes! -- I've had a bad cold for over a week, so yes, hotel!!!)

After a quick rest we had supper and the consensus was to head into Arches to see what we could before sunset (and we didn't have alot of time). But let's go!!

Up the switchbacks --- quick view of the 3 Penguins -- had the kids looking for Bighorn Sheep because they're here - but none were saw.

Shadows were pretty fantastic! Our 1st stop was the Courthouse w/ the shadows of the 3 Gossips on its side. And my nephew had one of my favorite very genuine comments when he got out of the car and realized the size of the rocks (and Courthouse) -- "These are sooooo big!!"

Next stop was Balancing Rock and boy was it ever pretty in the evening light.

We all took a short walk around Balancing Rock and headed over to where Turret Arch and the Windows are. The glow of the valley beautiful unfortunately I don't know how to take a good sunset photo --- but its still a memory.

The parking lot for Turret Arch/Windows was packed --- for sunset. We looped thru -- we'll be back tomorrow, hopefully when its less busy.

Great day!