Spring Break 2011 - Moab - Day Two

We had the threat of bad weather during this trip but we also had the threat of a government shutdown due to budget issues.  If the government was going to shutdown it would also shutdown the National Parks.  So, if we wanted to go to Arches, we didn't have much of a choice but to try and get it in on Friday in case the government shutdown started at midnight.  So we got up, ate breakfast, packed our lunches, and headed out.  We took both cars just so we had more room to spread out with the kids, coolers, treats, cameras, and coats. 

First stop:  The Windows Section.  In this area there are 4 different arches you can explore.  Because of parking we ended up closest to the Double Arch.



Brian standing in the arch, taking our picture looking down.  Grandpa and Oaklan, Staci and Jan.
 Kennedy was near Brian in the arch.  (And a stranger standing to the left)





Kennedy climbing up the last part to stand under the arch.



There is a section of the rock here that is called the Parade of Elephants.  Wonder why? 

Another view of The Windows Area.

We decided to skip the other arches in a hurry to get to Delicate Arch before the weather beat us there.  If we had time we would come back.  Unfortunately, we never made it back.

Second Stop:  Delicate Arch.  Every other vehicle in the park decided to go there too and we couldn't find anywhere to park the cars.  So we drove down to the viewpoint where there was no cars, and ate our lunch.  Brian took the hike to the viewpoint by himself to see the Arch from below while I finished feeding the kids.

Then we headed back to the parking lot and waited our turn for a parking spot.  Then off to the Arch we hiked.  It's a three mile round trip hike with a 500 foot elevation change.  It took us about two and a half hours to complete.  It was very very windy and cold.  Brian was such a great daddy and carried Oaklan on his shoulders the entire way.



Notice the winter coats in April!





Brian and Staci under the Arch.  The volunteer picture taker wasn't that good as the Arch seems to be missing...





A little more of the arch showing...



Stop Three:  An area called Devils Garden.  Oaklan had just fallen asleep in the car and Kennedy, Grandma, and Grandpa were done hiking so they stayed at the car while Brian and Staci hiked to two more arches.



Pine Tree Arch





Tunnel Arch

On the drive out of the park we stopped at Balanced Rock.

And the visitors center.

We left the park and stopped for dinner at a restaurant called the Branding Iron. They brought the salad to the table and Grandpa gave Oaklan a carrot.  He choked on it and coughed a little, but then he started throwing up.  Staci caught the throw up in a napkin, then he did it again, and again.  Then once he got it all out...he was fine again.  That was appetizing!  Luckily, they had stuck our "larger" party in the back room by ourselves so noone else had to witness it.

Back to the town home and a good nights sleep.  Unfortunately, Kennedy threw up twice after going to bed.  She made it to the bathroom so there wasn't any clean up but I mean really...what an end to that night!