March 26 - Delicate Arch and the Canyonlands (Island in the Sky)

Much different day this morning, cloudy and windy in the 50s but we were heading to Delicate Arch. The parking was so much more empty than yesterday. This is not a hike for my sister so she stayed behind and looked at the old Wolf Ranch and the Indian Rock Art. The kids and I went up first the dirt trail and then the large rock -- the kids couldn't believe we were climbing that!!

There is no view of the arch along the trail but the views of the surrounding landscape are pretty incredible. Its cold and very windy but up we went. We passed a bunch of people so there really wasn't anyone that we could see in front of us.

We finally finished the climbing and headed along the back section of a large rock. We could see a pot-hole arch! Then my favorite part (not) the 200 yrds along a 3 ft ledge (w/ drop-off ) in the wind. I could tell my niece wasn't liking it but told her to stay on the wall. When the edge ended, Delicate Arch was there! Still very amazing!!

My niece said immediately that she was not going out to the arch. Took a little coaxing to get her picture with the Arch from where we were standing. But her brother went on out!! And got the Arch all to himself. I was so happy!!

Then we just headed down.

My sister managed to see us coming and met us at the bridge.

Then we loaded up and headed to Canyonlands. First stop the visitor's center for their 1st look at the canyon (lots of dust down there). Then another viewpoint (one of my favorites).

And then Mesa Arch --- my niece was "done" so my sister stayed behind with her. Ate alot of sand getting to the Arch (wind-blown). Quite impressive, and after a few pictures we headed back.

One last stop at a river overlook and we started home.

The drive up to I-70 was wind blown and I was dodging tumbleweed. Once section not to far from the hwy felt like I was in the Frogger Video game except the "cars" were tumbleweed.

Then we ran into a little rain which turned to snow as we went up the mountain. The green mountain a few weeks ago was now covered with about 1-2 of snow mostly on the brush and pine trees --- looked so pretty. Thankfully, nothing was sticking to the roads -- but the snow plows were out.

A very successful trip!!