Road Trip 2013

Our roap trip which is turning out to be an annual thing, occured last week, and before I gett too far behind I'd like to share some of the pictures with you. This year we decided to see more of Utah, as last year we only scratched the surface with Monument Valley. How pleasently suprised I was with Utah! Not only was it visually striking, but just a nice place to visit. The weather is a dry arrid climate and the people are so seriosuly nice! At one point we got a flat tire, as no road trip would be complete without, and we had people stop one after next to ask if we need help. We got the flat patched, and left for the tire center, because we had such a big hole that we needed a new tire, and the manager of the place worked us in no problem even though it was a super busy Saturday, Then proceeded to have a long conversation with us. We talked about his time in Florida, his horses, and he was very interested in hearing about our road trip. I mean I can't tell you the last time someone was this nice!

So our road trip was a big loop, north to Ft. Collins, driving to Steamboat via Poudre Valley Scenic highway, on to Dinosaur National Park Colorado/Utah, then a night camping in Vernal, Utah. From there we took the scenic route to Moab via Dinosaur Diamond highway and arrived to Arches National Park. We hiked Delicate Arch, one of the more popular arches at sunset when it not only has the most vivid colours, but it's recommended not to hike it anytime before because of the heat. Its also recommended to hike with at least 2 liters of water. Well let me tell YOU! That hike was 100F when we started and I thought I was going to DIE!!!!! It was so hot and so dry and my heart was thrusting out of my chest, but I made it. Along with about 100 of my closest friends. It was so beautiful and so worth it, as it always is.

The next day Arni and I got up early for a sunrise hike so catch some of the other arches. We ended the day driving through all of Arches Park, not having enough time for Canyonlands we headed to our last stop in Rifle, CO. From there we decided to hike to Hanging Lake near Glenwood Springs. We started our hike at the base of Glenwood Canyon up a very steep and later during the rain, very slick, hike to the top to see Hanging Lake. I had seen pictures of this lake before and thought it was quite beautiful, but noting prepared me for the pristine untouched rain forest of a lake I was about to see. Lucky us, we chose to hike it later in the evening, knowing we would be hiking down in the dark, but also that the trail would be unlittered with tourists and natives alike wanting to see this natural beauty. We were correct, because we shared the trail with no more than 3 other people. The view at the top was amazing, crystal clear water, fish swimming along  merrily, and a waterfall covered in moss and lush vegetation. We took a few pictures and then made our way up just a bit further to sprouting rock. This is where the water source comes from. We had to rush this part because rain was just about pouring down on us at this point and it was already starting to get dark. We wanted to cover as much ground as possible before we were descending a pitch black trail with all the mountain critters, and hoping not to cross a cougar on our path!

I forgot to mention we also stopped in Pallisaides to buy some farm fresh peaches, mmmm!

The Delicate Arch

 Peach Trees in Pallisaides

Hanging Lake

Sprouting Rock