![\"Windows](\"http:\/\/www.ourwanderyears.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/1012171416a_HDR.jpg\")
<\/a>Windows Arch<\/p><\/div>I visited Arches National Park<\/a> twice – by myself late afternoon on Thursday and with Jett Friday around noon. The second visit was to give Jett an opportunity to see this beautiful park, but I also wanted to take a look at the “Windows” area, which I had skipped when I ran out of time on Thursday. Besides, Friday was even clearer than Thursday.<\/p>\n The roads in the park were being resurfaced, which made it more difficult to get around. Some areas – most notably the “Park Avenue” area – were totally closed, which was disappointing. But the park has so many features that there was still plenty to see.<\/p>\n The entrance to the park is flat, but it immediately transitions into a climb up the side of a cliff. In less than a mile the road rises over 500 feet, producing a panoramic view of the Moab Valley. From there it flattens out and the rest of the 18 mile ride is relatively flat and easy, with just one additional drop – maybe 200 feet – into a valley.<\/p>\n Many of the arches require a walk to get close. Jett wasn’t interested in any hikes and I was pressed for time on Thursday, so I only did two hikes. The first was about a half mile up to a promontory, to view the Delicate Arch. I found that view disappointing and probably not worth the effort. The second hike was about a quarter mile, into a chasm containing the Sand Dune Arch. That hike was eerie and definitely worth the effort. But I found myself wishing I could find a time when the lighting was better. But with the chasm being as deep as it is, there may never be a time when it gets direct sunlight.<\/p>\n Devils Garden<\/p><\/div>\n Plains vista<\/p><\/div>\n Tower of Babel?<\/p><\/div>\n Sand Dune Arch<\/p><\/div>\n Distant view of Delicate Arch<\/p><\/div>\n Courthouse Towers<\/p><\/div>\n Colorful valley<\/p><\/div>\n Moab Valley vista<\/p><\/div>\n Chasm to Sand Dune Arch<\/p><\/div>\n Near Sand Dune Arch<\/p><\/div>\n Climbers<\/p><\/div>\n “We Three Kings”<\/p><\/div>\n Phallic rock<\/p><\/div>\n Obelisk pair<\/p><\/div>\n Balanced Rock<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" I visited Arches National Park twice – by myself late afternoon on Thursday and with Jett Friday around noon. The second visit was to give Jett an opportunity to see this beautiful park, but I also wanted to take a look at the “Windows” area, which I had skipped when I ran out of time … Continue reading <\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a><\/a>