We left the camper around 7 this morning. We were trying to beat the heat, but we all left wearing jackets. It took us a bit to drive to our trail, but by 7:30 we were climbing out of the car. Now, it is a bit eerie being the only car in the parking lot though.
Campbell had wigged herself out on the length and altitude gain on this trail, but once we got started all was well. We literally climbed to the very top of a cliff today. When you drive in, you can see Cassidy Arch, and it is at the very top of cliff or maybe I could even say a mountain.
The first part of the trail was steep, rocky switchbacks which we weren't sure were going to end. We took quite a bit breaks on this section of the trail. Once we finished the end of the switchbacks, the trail did get easier though we were constantly climbing the hill.
We had walked over a mile and a half when we made it to the slick rock face that we had to walk over. The weather perfectly cooperated with us the entire day. We were often in the shade, or there was a breeze. Even when the sun would peak out, it was still comfortable.
There was a lady walking in front of us, and we weren't sure why she had stopped. Then we realized that she was indeed at the end of the trail. Not only could we see the arch from where we were, but we could also walk across it. Our photos look like they were not real, but they were. Robby said that it was his favorite hike so far. I would pretty much agree! (Though everyone walking around on the top of the mountain side did make me and Campbell a little bit nervous.)
We took our pictures, and then after one last look we headed down the mountain. Of course getting down wasn't nearly as hard as getting up. We made it down after walking 3.4 miles, but we didn't head to the car. We kept walking along the grand wash-basically a dry riverbed.
We walked another 3.6 miles on the riverbed. The cliffs are on both sides of you, and it was neat to see. However, this afternoon it has stormed so I know that dry riverbed is no longer dry at all. We were all pretty beat after 7 miles of hiking.
We, of course, made time to to stop at the farmhouse on the way out of the park. As we were walking towards the building, Campbell told us to hurry up because more people were coming. Robby just about broke into a sprint and managed to grab the last cinnamon roll. Plus we managed to get a few pies. However, I just couldn't stomach paying 6 dollars for a cookie.
After leaving the park, we stopped at Rim Rock Patio for our late lunch. We had thought about eating supper out, but we were all pretty hungry. This was the perfect place-they had a patio so we opted to eat outside. There was baggo and horseshoes outside, but the view was wonderful. Plus the food was really good (though we were starving and could have eaten anything happily.)
We had pizza, salsa, nachos, and sloppy joes, and what we didn't eat, we brought home. Back at the camper, the girls took the dogs to to the dog park which they love. The temperature was comfortable plus it is the most lush grass ever. Then Robby did laundry while I napped.
Then a crazy loud storm rolled through. All storms are loud in the camper, but the thunder was really loud, and then when the rain finally started we were having to shout at each other. We were trying to watch church from this morning, but there was no way for us to hear it so we had to give up. We would think that the rain had stopped, and then it would pour again.
Our first stop was the side of the road a few times to take a picture of the most beautiful rainbow ever. It just kept following us. The girls made sure to get quite a few pictures of it.
We eventually did leave, and we were pretty surprised to see the water rushing in some of the creeks. We have to assume that the dry creek bed we walked through earlier was flooded like those creeks. Then we walked down the little boardwalk so we could see the petroglyphs.
Next up was a little drive the other way down the road. We did stop at the town of Notom. Apparently, when they were naming the town, someone said, "well, we have No Tom here," and that is how the town got it's name.
We then drove back through the National Park before realizing that sunset was beautiful. We stopped so the girls could take some pictures. They even hiked to the top of a hill to get better shots. Whitman even joined them, and they all came down the trail with their arms linked in a circle. It was amazing that they didn't fall down the hill.
Back at the camper, the girls walked the dogs briefly. Then everyone heated up their own suppers. Now, the girls are headed to the bath house to take their showers, and Whitman is going to take his shower here. Then I'm next in the shower because I'm about to fall asleep!
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