Happy Thanksgiving from Moab

Since I have been taking a geology class for the past nine weeks, we thought it would be fun to experience some of the exciting geology around us. We looked at different places around us. There is just so much to choose from. So, we decided to go to Arches National Park in Moab, UT. G-parents A. had not been to Delicate Arch, and neither had we, so that is where we decided to go.

We got up pretty early Wednesday morning and drove down to Moab. We got there about 11 am. We couldn't have planned the day better even if we tried. We went right into Arches National Park and started at the Visitor's Center. That was a great place to start. This stop told us what to look for, what hikes to take, and how hard they would be. We were hiking with Kelsey, so we didn't want to do anything hard. We decided to go directly to the Delicate Arch hike.

Can you see the parking lot where we started?? This picture could be considered half way. It was not as easy as we thought...

- and it took us twice as long as the "estimated time"...

but we loved it!!!

On the way back, we had the best guide to get us down the mountain. The bottom of Kelsey's shoes said Dora. We were all explorers!!!

That hike could not have been more fun. The weather was perfect, not hot, in some spots - CHILLY - but comfortable for hiking. When we finished the hike, we were ready to get some dinner and rest for the night.

Thursday morning, we went back into Arches and checked out the other, much shorter hikes.

And the weather was even better today. Beautiful sun. Beautiful sky. And the best company.We started back home and stopped at Dead Horse Point which over looks Canyon Lands National Park.

This park is four- wheeler heaven (no paved roads). We were pretty sure our Chrysler Mini-Van would not make it - so we had to get our fill from the look out point. Spectacular view.
This has been a great Thanksgiving. I am thankful for school that gave us the idea for our trip. I am thankful for family who were up for an adventure. I am thankful for Heavenly Father who created everything we saw. (At one point, some of the rock formations reminded us of Aqua Sand. We thought of how much fun Heavenly Father must have had when creating the earth.)