Ken's Lake, More Arches

Today Meera and I got up at 6 a.m. and left at 6:30 for the train station in Green River, about an hour away.  It was a beautiful drive with the sunrise lighting up the rocks all around us.  I was also one of the only cars on the road.  When we got to the train station, Meera expected to be able to go and get her seat assignment from the counter, go to the bathroom, etc.  But no could do - the "station" was actually just a platform along the train line in a sleepy little town that had not yet woken up by 7:20.  We went to a gas station to use the restroom and fill up Meera's water, then I left her at the station (which by this time was finally getting a few more arrivals). 

It was 8:30 when I got back to our camp site and Jarod and I washed our clothes and hung them out before leaving for the day.  We decided to go to Ken's Lake as recommended by the Moab Visitor's Center.  It was about 10 miles outside of town and is a reservoir and recreational lake 95 feet deep in the middle.  First we drove up to the top of a waterfall that looked to flow into the lake.  From there we hiked down beside the waterfall which was really beautiful.  After hiking a bit more around the mountain, we drove back down to the lake and swam.  It felt so good to not just wade or fight a current, but really swim.  We also watched some girls paddle boarding which looked like fun.  (That is when you use a board that looks a lot like a surfboard and you stand on it and paddle it along so you can see down into the water around you). 

We left around 1 p.m. and drove back to Moab where we had lunch at Wake and Bake.  My stomach has definitely shrunk since I've been on this trip - I got a panini which came with a delicious looking side salad, and after eating the panini, I couldn't even touch the salad.  Luckily, Jarod ate it for me.  After lunch we drove back to Arches where we saw the last of the major arches - North and South Window arches and Turret Arch.  As we walked around/through them and took photos, a wave of dark sky started rushing quickly toward us.  We hightailed it out of the park trying to get to our campsite before the rain.  Luckily, we made it since all our clothes were out on the line and the tent was open. 

Now we're back at Wake and Bake where I had gelato and we're using the WiFi.  This is our last night in Moab.  Tomorrow and the next night we will CouchSurf with a family in Cedar City, UT (a little less than 3 hours from Vegas).  On Saturday morning we will drive back to Vegas where I'll drop Jarod at the bus station so he can go to LA, return the car, then fly home arriving about midnight. 

On the way to the train station we saw this.

By the waterfall running into Ken's Lake.

Jarod and waterfall.

One of the few places you could actually get in - and it was freezing!

On the other side of this you could look down on the waterfall and the lake and see for miles and miles into the distance.

Hiking around by the waterfall area.

In Ken's Lake.

Jarod being a merman (not to be confused with Morman).

Drying off.

Jumping in North Arch at Arches.

Jarod jumping at Arches.

Jumping in Turret arch over South Arch.

Canyonlands Islands District

After getting ready in leisure, Meera, Jarod and I left for the Island District of Canyonlands, which is much closer then the Needles District.  The sky was still covered in clouds, but we felt sure that after the night before's rain, it wouldn't rain again.  We were wrong.  It rained off and on all day long.  On the bright side, the temperature was between 66 and 70 degrees - about 40 degrees cooler than the day before.  I found that totally incredible.  Despite the gross rain, we did get to see some really cool sights - like the white rimmed canyons around the Green and Colorado Rivers, which converge in Canyonlands.  None of us were too keen on hiking in the rain but luckily most of this part of Canyonlands consisted of overlooks that were only a few yards from the car park area.

We came back around 3:30 p.m. and I dropped Jarod at the grocery store to get some food and Meera and I came to a coffee shop to use the internet which is where we are now.  Tomorrow morning I have to drive Meera to Green River to catch a train at about 8:30 a.m. to Denver, her next destination.  Then Jarod and I need to figure out what to do with ourselves for a few days before Saturday.

Meera posing with Green River gorge behind  her.

Chilling on the side of a canyon.

Meera taking a photo in the Mickey Mouse poncho I loaned her.

Doing a pike over the Green River gorge.

With Jarod.

The three of us trying not to get rained on.

 

Chilling in Moab

We all got up around 8 a.m. and started getting ready for the day.  Meera was going to go get some postcards, but when she started looking for her wallet, she couldn't find it.  Finally, we realized she must have left it atop the car the day before when paying for the camping and then we drove off and someone picked it up.  She was, obviously, upset, and needed to cancel her cards and such, so after playing a little bball with the boys, I dropped Meera off at an internet cafe with some money and Eric, Jarod and I grabbed some grub for lunch before I had to take Eric to the airport to fly back home.  I left Jarod at the cafe which also had internet so he could buy a bus ticket from Las Vegas to LA on the day I fly home. 

The Moab airport was about 30 minutes away, and as we drove, you could see the heat rising from the road - it got to 106 that day.  Just being out in the sunshine felt like needles prickling your skin.  It was crazy hot.  At the "airport" I parked in long-term parking (i.e. a gravel lot right in front of the main building which was free).  I then walked with Eric into what appeared to be a lounge - there were sofas, chairs and a TV with magazines on end tables.  The check in desk was manned by one person, and the security checkpoint led you strait to the outside tarmac.  We asked the guy at the desk how long I could hang out with Eric before he had to go through security - the guy said "well, a while I reckon.  We start boarding about 10 minutes till the plane leaves."  So, we had a little less than an hour to kill.  Then the man said, "Are you Eric" and we were both like "How did you know that?"  He told us he could read minds and mine was saying "When can this jerk get on a plane already?"  haha  But, we figured it out - there were only 2 or 3 people boarding and I guess the others had already checked in.  He said the plane only would have about five passengers and some were coming from somewhere else first. 

We spent the time watching skydiving videos on the TV (which is what the airport is primarily used for).  While we waited, some man came up to us and said, "Are you two going up with her?"  We were totally confused, until we realized he thought we were going to observe the girl who was filling out her paperwork jump out of the plane.  We were like "umm, no." lol 

When it was time to go through security, the man behind the desk actually walked over to us and told us.  I then stood there the entire time until Eric literally walked through the metal detector.  It was pretty ridiculous and definitely my favorite airport ever.  :)

When I drove back to Moab, I met Jarod again at the cafe and then we walked to where Meera was and I used the internet for a while.  When we were all done, we went to the grocery store and bought hotdogs to go with corn we already had to cook on the grills at the campsite.  It was such a yummy dinner - I had two hotdogs and such good corn - even with no butter or salt!  As we finished our dinner, it started to rain.  I took a shower and got ready for bed right before it really started coming down.  Since we were trapped in the tent, I ended up going to sleep right before 10.  I woke up at 6:35, saw the sunrise on some nearby rocks, and went back to sleep until 7.  It was the best night's sleep I've gotten so far. 

Since there weren't really any photos from this day, I included some below that I just got off of Meera's camera.

The three of us on the West Rim Trail in Zion.

The middle part of the Angel's Landing trail in Zion.

Jarod, Eric and me with the rental car in Capitol Reef.

Overlooking Chimney Rock in Capitol Reef.

Posing in a rock in Capitol Reef.

Prairie dogs in Bryce.

Arches National Park

We found a nice campsite in the heart of Moab with free showers and gas grills.  It had nice shade trees and grassy areas and picnic tables.  After setting up, we went to Arches National Park arriving around 6 p.m. at Landscape Arch in the north of the park.  We briskly walked to go see it before briskly walking back and heading for Delicate Arch which is supposed to be amazing at Sunset. 

The hike up to Delicate was strenuous and 1.5 miles each way.  Eric was so worried about missing the sunset that he literally jogged the entire way up.  The rest of us took it a bit easier and I'm glad we did - the sunset went on for another hour after we arrived.  We all got photos inside the arch - along with what seemed like the rest of the world.  It was so amazing standing inside of it though - looking down at canyons on both sides.  It's hard to imagine how big it is until you are standing under it. 

Anyway, we quite enjoyed over an hour of photo taking, talking to strangers, and observing the red rocks.  On the way back down, it was difficult getting Eric to come along he was still taking photos every few feet even as it was getting darker.  Meera and I decided to run part of the way down because of the slope and to beat the dark, so Jarod stayed behind with Eric.  On the way down, a 21 year old Swiss boy was hitting on Meera which was really funny because he thought she was 23 - not 31.  We didn't correct him.

By the time we got back to our camp it was 10 p.m., so we all got ready for bed and had the best showers ever (since we hadn't had them in days and days).   

Jarod, Eric and I took a really cool photo right before bed to celebrate our trip which I will include.

Holding up Landscape Arch with one finger - it's longer than a football field.

Eric, Jarod, Me, Meera by Delicate Arch as sunset.  I am glowing next to them!

Meera and me in Delicate Arch.

Light writing in celebration of our trip - good job Eric on the flashlight work!

Start of Arches and Canyonlands

Atop the mountain in Canyonlands.

Again.

Hear no evil, speak no evil, see no evil.

In Arches Nat'l Park with Eric.

On the road to Canyonlands.

Lauren and Meera back-bending on the rocks above our campsite in Canyonlands.

Evolution of Man.

On the road again.

Chilling in the sunset of Canyonlands.

On Saturday we drove to Moab, UT to Arches National Park where we saw an overlook of Delicate Arch and stopped at  several pull-outs along the road for some excellent views.  It was really beautiful, but about 102 degrees so getting out of the car was sweltering.  We probably only spent a couple hours there before returning to Moab and getting lunch and some groceries for our trip into the Needles District of Canyonlands.  The drive there was probably about 1.5 hours but we stopped several times for some amazing photographic opportunities.  It's so much fun having Eric with us because his camera is so great.  We have taken a lot of really cool and fun pictures.

When we got to Canyonlands we were a little worried that there would be no campsites available because at all the other parks they are filled by afternoon and it was about 6 p.m.  However, as we got closer, I started to worry less - we hardly passed another soul.  On the way we also stopped at Newspaper Rock which has petroglyphs that represent 2,000 years of ancient history starting in BC and going to about 1300 AD.  Petroglyphs are essentially cave drawings.

The scenery was so gorgeous on our way into Canyonlands' Needles District and with the sun getting lower in the sky, many of the rocks were brilliant red.  We got out and got some great photos in the middle of the empty road. 

Once there, the campsite was practically empty and we got a great little spot with some shady trees and a a giant rock ridge behind us.  After setting up, we climbed up the rocks and the view was breathtaking.  We could see canyons, mountains, "needles," plateaus and plains.  We watched as the sun went down and then got ready for bed at the nearest flush toilet bathrooms, probably about .5 miles away.  Meera went to bed really early because she planned to leave by 6 am to go on an 11 mile hike.  The boys and I opted out of that one.

Jared, Eric and I sat around looking at the brilliance of the stars, finding many more shooting stars and chatting until about 11.  But, amazingly, we woke up at 6:30 am - because when I opened my eyes and saw the sunrise reflecting on the rocks in front of our tent, I couldn't go back to sleep.  I was trying to get Eric's camera out without waking him and Jarod, but Eric woke up and it's probably good because it was on a setting he said I wouldn't have known how to use. lol  So, we got up and took sunrise photos and climbed on the rocks and took a bunch up there, then walked to the bathroom again.  By the time we got back, Jarod woke up and we all had breakfast before going on our own hike.

We chose to climb  to the top of a rock mountain that didn't look too far away, but was probably about 1.5 miles or so each way.  But, since it wasn't an official trail, we had a lot of fun finding our way over all the rocks.  The view from the top was crazy beautiful and we took a bunch of silly photos. 

When we got back to the campsite, we were afraid Meera would already be back and waiting, but she was not so the three of us played charades and laid around until about 12:30 when she made it back.

After she returned, we drove around the park a bit, then headed toward Moab.

Capitol Reef National Park

Meera, Me, Jarod on the Chimney Rock Trail in Capitol Reef.

Pointing to Chimney Rock.

Holding up a piece of dead wood with Eric atop the Chimney Trail in Capitol Reef.

Typical Jarod and Eric.

The four of us on the Chimney Rock Trail in Capitol Reef.

The drive from Bryce to Capitol Reef was really stupendous and even though it was late afternoon by the time we arrived at Capitol Reef, there were still plenty of camping spaces left.  It turns out, the "scenic drive" is closed so the park isn't even charging an entrance fee right now.  However, there are tons of trails still open and cool stuff to see.  Also, apricots are fruiting in the orchards along the river right now, and we can pick/eat as many as we want.  We are camped near the river, but it is very muddy looking from the red soil, so we haven't tried to swim in it.

After setting up camp, we decided to go on a hike that was about six miles called Chimney Rock.  It was probably the most beautiful and awe-inspiring trail I've been on yet.  We could look out in all directions at the gorgeous red, yellow and white stone topography.  It was amazing.  Also, since the sun was setting, we had the perfect lighting for our photographs of the red rocks.  We got back just after the sun set behind the mountains and drove back to camp where we prepared for the evening.  There was also an apricot orchard right next to our camp site and we could pick as many as we wanted to eat.  They were so yummy and the best part was - free fruit! :)  Once it was completely dark, the sky was hard to ignore - stars of every shape and size scattered across the atmosphere.  It was practically dizzying.  I saw about ten shooting stars that night.

The next morning - Friday - we decided to go on the Wash Trail first.  Unlike the Chimney Rock Trail, this one was in the very bottom of the canyons and was very warm in the sunlight (though the shady parts were nice).  We enjoyed it, but not as much as the one the day before.  The hike was probably three miles round trip.  Next we went to the Hickman Bridge Trail which goes to and through a natural stone bridge.  The whole thing was two miles, but it felt like 20.  For some reason, we were all just completely wiped.  It was very hot today for one, no one can possibly drink enough water to battle the heat and the dry air, and we hadn't eaten a really filling meal in a while.  Eric especially, who eats like a teenage boy, was feeling week from lack of decent food.

But, we finally  made it to the arch and back, which was beautiful. We then drove about 14 miles into "town" to have lunch at a cute little shop.  I had been talking about craving a gyro earlier, and to my complete shock, they had one on the menu!  I was so excited.  Then we got some groceries and drove to Panoramic Point which gives a 360 degree view of the landscape.  It was a great end to the day.

Back at camp, I washed my hair in the sink because there are no showers here, then I transferred some photos from Eric's camera onto my jump drive, and now I'm typing this up.  I don't have internet so I don't know when I'll be able to post it.  The others went on a walk along the river but I'm just way too tired.  As much water as I drink it doesn't seem to be enough to keep me fully hydrated and sleeping in a tent  isn't the best sleep ever.  I plan to go to bed early tonight. 

Saturday we'll be driving to Arches Nat'l Park to see a few things, then on to the Needles district of Canyonlands. 

Bryce Canyon

Meera, Lauren, Jarod on Zion Overlook.

We left Zion on Tuesday morning and drove to Bryce Canyon about an hour and a half away.  Before we got out of Zion though, we stopped and did the Zion Overlook Trail which was about a mile walk and really pretty and interesting.  When we got to the top, it was amazing. We could see all of Zion (well, a lot of it) and really get the perspective of the grandure.  We met a nice family on top who took photos for us and vice versa.  After that, an older man we met the day before had recommended hiking up a wash right near where we parked our car.  We found the wash and started hiking up it which was cool because there were obviously no other people on it.  Then we got to one point where we were like "hmm, how  do we get over that?"  It was huge boulders on one side and a rock that steeply angled down from the other side.  The met at the bottom and there was no passage through.

Jarod helping me down from the rock ledge.

Jarod and me at Sunset Point in Bryce Canyon.

The steep rock looked passable because it did have some ridges on it that I thought I could walk across like ledges, so I decided to try.  That wasn't very smart. About halfway, I was hugging the rock on my left and had my feet one in front of another on a thin and sloping ledge and I realized I could go no farther, but turning back seemed impossible as well.  My backpack was also not helping my balance as it was filled with a water bag and fairly heavy.  Meera was at the bottom of the sloping rock and told me to throw her my bag, but my camera was it in and if it hit the rock it could have broken. Jarod finally came up behind me and reached for my bag.  I handed it to him, which was difficult, then he managed to get it back to Meera safely.  Then, I started slowly going backwards the way I'd come.  Finally, Jarod was close enough to put a hand on my waist and stabilize me (holding me close to the rock face so I didn't fall to the right).  Finally, I made it down and all my muscles felt shaky.  I told them I had to do at least one stupid thing per trip.  lol  While I may not have died if I'd fallen, I could have gotten very scraped or broken a bone.  (Sorry Mom - won't happen again!).  Needless to say, after that we turned back.  And I ranted a bit about the man who told us to do it to the top in the first place.  Meera hadn't mentioned that the guy was also a rock climber. 

Jarod and Eric in the bottom of Bryce.

Coming into Bryce, it's hard to tell what all the fuss is about.  There are tall Ponderosa pines everywhere and you can't really see any canyon.  We got a great camping area and set up, then went to the general stores to buy showers for $2 each.

Meanwhile, Eric who we met at Weeping Rock in Zion, was texting me and trying to figure out a way to ditch his parents and meet back up with us for the rest of the week.  We finally worked it all out, and I picked him up about an hour away in Kanab while his parents were on their way down to Sedona.  The drive to Kanab was beautiful and most of /the time the road was my own.

Before I left, Jarod, Meera and I went to Sunset Point in Bryce where we suddenly understood what the big deal was about the park - from the rim, it is a whole different world.  Much of it looked like The Badlands, and there were hoodoos lining the canyon floor.  Hoodoos are statues of rock that have been left standing while the rest of the rock was eroded away.  When I left for Kanab, Meera walked along the Rim Trail and Jarod used the WiFi in the lodge.

Eric and me under the waterfall at Mossy Rock trail ouside Bryce.

After picking up Eric and talking to his parents a bit, we headed back toward Bryce - though we got a bit sidetracked upon seeing the sunset.  It was OUT OF THIS WORLD!  I wish I had photos to share right now, but he's currently getting food in the general store and the photos were taken on his awesome DSLR camera.  Anyway, suffice it to say, it was one of the most spectacular sights I've ever seen and it sidetracked us for a good 20 minutes.

After that, I was starving as it was about 9 p.m., so we went to a nearby diner and I had a delicious salad.  We also got Jared a brownie because it was his birthday yesterday (Wednesday).  So, we got back pretty late, then I pulled over at the Sunset Overlook again to see the stars.  It was one of the first really clear nights.  However, the moon was so bright that it made many of the stars difficult to see, however, Eric did get photos of the rock spires being lit by moonlight with stars behind them.

On Wednesday, we sang Jared happy birthday, then went on the Navajo Loop Trail, the Queens Garden Trail and the Sunrise Point trail - all of which connected.  It was amazing walking through the canyon - every footfall left you with a new, spectacular sight.  Eric must have taken hundreds of photos (one of the few people who takes more photos than I do!), and we had so much fun finding new and cool shots.  One of our favorites was "jumping" shots like the one of Jarod and I jumping on the West Rim Trail that I posted on my last post.

After we finished - it was about four or so miles - we drove the car outside the park to another trail that lead to a waterfall and river.  It was so surprising just because it doesn't seem there should be any water at all in the midst of such an arid climate, but there you were, with a rushing and COLD waterfall. lol

At the Bryce entrance.

Once back from that it was about 5:30.  Eric and I paid to take showers while Meera and Jarod got ready to go to a rodeo they'd seen signs for on the road outside the park.  Eric and I didn't really have an interest, so we stayed behind and chilled.  I'm glad I didn't go because it was $10 and only lasted about an hour.  It got very chilly last night, but my sleeping bag kept me warm except for my head which stuck out and my hair was still wet from the shower.  I hope I don't get sick.  However, it was the first night in a while that I feel I slept quite well - between 8 and 9 hours.

After everyone was up and ready, we packed everything up - which was interesting with a 4th person in the car, but we managed - and now Meera and I are using the internet while Jarod takes a shower and Eric gets food. Capitol Reef is next - I can't wait to see what new adventures lie ahead!