Installment Eight - June 21, 2003

[At Arches National Park: The "B" van - SMF:] Waking at Mesa Verda to our seventh day of the trek, I went to take a nice warm shower, then packed up camp. We gladly accepted the challenge of an all you can eat pancake breakfast. I had a humble five pancakes that was far from the most. After being stuffed, a not-so-long drive took us to Arches National Park. In our car, video games were halted periodically to watch the change in terrain. The mountains of Colorado changed to the rolling desert of Utah. We got to Arches and all electronics were off limits, not really a problem. We stopped and did a short mile walk through a small patch of arches, almost like getting acclimated to what was to come. The next stop was the Delicate Arch trail head parking lot for lunch. After a lunch of no shade, a short three mile round trip hike was planned to Delicate Arch. Seemed easy until I noticed the 500 feet of elevation change. Though huffing and puffing, the sight was easily worth it. The pictures give it no justice. Delicate Arch sits on a cliff with hat-taking winds (Check quotes). After the hike back down, we went to our campsite. This campsite was equipped with flushies, our own arch, and many large rocks that gave a few adults an increased heartbeat. Many were very lazy, including myself, and didn't even set up tents. We proposed to sleep on the rocks. Luckily it didn't rain, and I was gladly awakened by a beautiful sunrise. It was almost indescribable. That morning the ususal pack up and breakfast was followed by the most beautiful, least strenuous hike I have ever been on. It was a ranger-lead hike through the Fiery Furnace section of Arches National Park. We saw many arches as we hiked along the rocks and learned much about the area. I highly recommend this place for everyone. Everything is worth it, as I left with a new concept of beautiful nature. -SMF [Note: Scott also performed the HTML update for this installment -REP] Memorable Quotes  W.W.M.V.D. What would Mr. V do? - anon I sacrifice my hat to the wind gods - Scott M. Absolutely astonishing! - Rob D.	Unlimited pancake breakfast at Mesa Verde Park Avenue Arch hike in Arches National Park (J. Moore photo)   Lunch at the Delicate Arch trailhead
Near the end of the Delicate Arch trail	The famous Delicate Arch (J. Moore photo)
The local bighorn sheep pose for Brad (D. DeLaby photo)	Atempting bucket laundry

Pine Tree arch in Devils Garden -- The Mo/Mat transition takes place, as Fred joins the trek and Jeff & Robbie depart.

Wren Canyon Campsite -- Our campsite had it's own private arch! (D. DeLaby photo).

After leaving Arches National Park, we are driving northeast back into Colorado, staying overnight at the Cutthroat Bay Group Campground on Granby Lake in the Arapaho National Recreation Area.