First Day

Today was a FULL day of hiking. To be perfectly honest we didn't have a clue where to start, so we just headed out.

After a brief stop at the Visitor's Center we made our way to Balanced Rock. Park was off and running, trekking pole in tow! He was on a mission! Thankfully our kids love to be outside, explore and hike! We've managed to get at least one hiking vacation in for the last couple of years. It was much easier this year since "the baby" is five. To her credit, she kept up with her Dad's long strides far better than I! That man left me in the dust most of the day....

We've seen some gorgeous places, Fish Creek Falls, near Steamboat, Harney Peak in the Black Hills, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and now Arches. We really, really, really like it here. It is definitely a hiker's paradise.

I realize that a picture is worth 1,000 words. I will post some shots later. I brought a smaller digital camera and handed it over to the boys. They got some great shots!

We spent the day at Devil's Garden. It was an amazing site. These were the arches we saw today: Skyline Arch, Tunnel Arch, Pine Tree arch, Landscape Arch, Double O Arch, Black Arch, Private Arch, Navajo Arch and Partition Arch.

We came back in time to eat at a fab pasta joint and then headed to the grocery store. We won't be eating out much, its on the pricey side. We have a cooler packed and bulked up on fruit. We were all craving fruit today! We also found Chad a real pair of hiking shoes. Good shoes are a must. He'll be elk hunting later in the fall so this will be a great time to "break them in". I found a pair too, and as comfy as they were, I let the store keep them. Merrell shoes are the way to go. I think mine have a few miles left in them!

I've just finished a refreshing cup of Gypsy mint and rose tea. The shower felt divine. I have an entirely new appreciation for water. I've been drinking all day and still haven't gotten enough. I do love the dry climate. I do not, in any shape or form, miss the humidity we left at home. I could get very used to this location!

Time for a little shut eye. We'll be up bright and early to hit the trails again!