Day 6 - Nature's Fault

David's Journal

Our sixth day started off with a "healthy" hike through Arches National Park.  I call it "healthy" because "that which does not kill you makes you stronger."  This was about a mile and a half, with a 500' ascent throughout the hike.  We were definitely winded when we made it up to "Delicate Arch".  Once there we faced our acrophobia once again, and went out to take a picture under the arch.  Took us a while, but we faced the challenge and got a good picture too.  After our less exhausting hike back, we spent a couple of hours having lunch in Moab, and then spent the rest of the day relaxing in the pool and hot tub, which also had an amazing view.

Amber's Journal

Day 6 Nature's Fault

Today we went on what was described as an "easy" hike.  It may be easy if you're used to hiking in blazing heat, over bare rocks, under a merciless sun!  The hike was worth it though. The scenery was gorgeous--strange, weather-eroded formations, mineral enriched colors, gnarled, struggling trees and shrubby, determined-looking plants.  The path of our hike was hot and hard for us city slicker sissies, and it had a 500 foot elevation gain in less than half a mile.

Delicate Arch, the destination of our hike was truly a natural wonder--unsupported and delicately colored stone.  However, it was scary as hell to walk out to--the ledge you walk on is at a 25 to 30 degree tilt, and after I dropped my water bottle (which magnificently skidded over the edge and plummeted over) I had a galloping case of heebie jeebies about the height.  I almost didn't make it, but got a little help from David and a couple other tour members.

Finally, with a little help and a lot of nervous whimpers, David and I made it out to Delicate Arch and got our pictures taken under it. So what if my hand was shaking a little when I did a thumbs-up for Tiffany who was taking the picture?

During the hike back, we were following Dave, the Monument Valley local guide who told us about local plants and animals, and geeked about digital cameras with David.  The guide even gave us a few leaves from what he called a salt bush to taste--it gets your saliva flowing again, provides minerals, and has a nice, salty taste.

After we got back, we took a long, relaxing soak in the hot tub (aaah!) and just relaxed our worn and tired selves.  After recovering, we moseyed out for a bit of wine tasting, bought a bottle of Outlaw Red which we deemed the best wine, and rustled up some dinner. We watched the sun set over the Colorado river as we ate on the porch and sipped nice wine. Good end to a hard day!