We slept in this morning since we couldn't check into our spot in Moab until 2. Robby and I walked the dogs around the lake on the campground. It was a mile walk and was pleasant when we started. However, it started to get warm by the time that we finished.
When we made it back, we immediately hooked up the car because we wanted to do it before it became too hot. The kids were stirring when we came back, and around 11 we headed towards Moab.
The drive was just about 2 and a half hours. We only stopped briefly at the Welcome to Utah sign. We took a few pictures there-with Campbell and Keaton both taking pictures, we have over 800 pictures so far on this trip.
We made it to Sun Outdoors Arches Gateway campground a little bit before 1. The girls were worried that we did not know that check in was at 2, but we thought we would try anyway. We were able to check in early, and we have a pretty perfect spot. We are next to the dog park (though the girls took the puppies, and the dogs just stood in the shade.) Plus there are mountains on both side of us, so it is a pretty perfect campground.
We had a slow and wonderful afternoon. It was too hot to go and do anything, plus our plans included a sunset hike, so we just rested until time to leave. I read some of my book and napped some. We should have been doing school, but there is always tomorrow.
At 4, we left for the Arches National Park visitor center. Keaton went with Whitman this time when we turned in our junior ranger book. The guy looked through it, and then gave use the badge-it was super easy compared to last time. We were actually finished before Robby had finished stamping all of our passport books.
We watched some of the film about Arches. It was better than the last one, and I stayed awake. Robby bought a guide that tells you about the sites as you drive by so that was interesting. We stopped at most of the overlooks plus we walked around Balanced Rock on the way to our main evening attraction.
Around 6, we made it to Delicate Arch trail. We knew that it was going to be steep and 1.5 miles each way. It was a haul. If we walked that every day, we would be in the best shape of our lives. Seriously! Our goal was to make it by sunset, and I wondered for a little bit if we would make it.
Keaton and Campbell were in the front of our group. Robby was in the middle, and I brought up the rear with Whitman. He is not a hiker, and he will tell you this. However, this was a hard, hard hike. It is about 1.2 miles straight up the side of a mountain, and then the last little bit is on the edge of a mountain with a drop off beside you. Whitman does not like heights at all, but he did super well on this part.
I got a little bit wigged out when we made it to the top and saw the Delicate Arch. There are steep drop offs everywhere plus you are walking on super slanted ground-one slip and you just roll down the hill. We had read that up to 100 people or more could be there to watch the sunset. There were just about 20 or so which made things nice.
After we took our pictures, we sat down and had our snacks and water. We ate and enjoyed the view for a good while. Then one of the girls said that we should probably start back down. They were right, and we were prepared with flashlights to walk down in the dark, but that wasn't preferred.
Robby and I took one last picture before leaving the arch because we knew that we sure were never making it back there! Then it was down the hill-Whitman was the last one up, and the first one down. He walked with our ahead of Keaton and Campbell. They only slowed down when a family of mule deer were waking on the trail with them.
By the time we almost made it to the car, it was pretty dark. We could still see, but the man in front of us had his flashlight out. However, on the way down we passed at least 10 people going up. I wanted to tell them that they were not going to make it before dark and encourage them to turn around or even give them a flashlight, but I kept my mouth closed.
Back in the car, we rested for a minute before we left the park with many other cars. Then we drove into the town of Moab looking for a Sonic. They didn't have a Sonic, but they did have a 7-11 so we had drinks on the way back to the camper.
The kids started their showers while Robby and I walked the dogs. Marley was terrified walking tonight, and would have given anything to run back to the camper. We all had a bit of supper after showers even though it was super late...and the morning begins super early because we are going to try to beat the heat.
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