American snapshot: Arches National Park

I walk down the middle of a canyon. On one side the rock glows in a reddish orange, highlighting spectacular rock formations. On the other side the stone faces rests in darkness waiting its time to shine, when the sun will highlight its fins and spires. Even without the arches that make this National Park unique it is a landscape which encourages wonder, awe and appreciation...and I've only made it a couple of miles into the park; stopping to walk Park Avenue in the early morning when it is still cool thanks to the overnight rain which left puddles along my way to reflect the clear blue sky and the tops of the rock formation. Mom is waiting for me at the end of my stroll ready to drive on to the next major rock formation after happily pointing out the sheep rock formation and the three gossips to me.

Balanced rock holds its own mystery. How long will that rock remain perched on top of its pillar? Just what geological phenomenon is responsible for this precarious formation? As I walk around the base gazing up at the top it becomes even more incomprehensible that this heavy stone remains on its stand. How much longer can it possibly remain Balanced Rock instead of tumbled rock?

Most of the rest of the park is dedicated to the arches which earned it it's name. There are the two windows, visible together only from select points, double arch which unfolds its unique form from a collapsed vault as you get closer. Delicate arch sits high up and far away on a hill yet is still able to personify the contrast of delicate strength. Landscape Arch lost much of its thickness in 1995 when a chunk fell down, causing everyone to wonder as they walk by if today might be the day that it ceases to be an arch. Sand dune arch is nearly impossible to view as the wind whips up the sand that gives its name, causing me to steal a glimpse and a photo before turning to walk back with my eyes closed most of the way; all so that I won't feel like I missed something when we leave.

The last day we meet a ranger for our guided walk into the Fiery Furnace, thankful by the end that we managed to get the last two tickets available during the time we are visiting. After walking through the cracks that cause the formation of fins, taking breaks in spots where a glimpse over your shoulder reveals a surprise arch, and learning about the fragile biological soil crust which allows plants to eeck out a living it is hard to imagine coming into the park without experiencing this introduction to the fascinating stone world of Arches, although I must admit that even a drive through the main road of the park would expose you to the exceptional scenery which made Arches National Park my favorite park of the summer.