"Tim" wrote in message
...
On Oct 3, 11:10 am, John H wrote:
Our first stop in Utah was at Arches National Park, just north of Moab,
UT. I
couldn't stand going by the place without a quick stop to see what we
were
looking forward to. Besides, since my wife had set the alarm two hours
earlier
than we thought, 4:00 instead of 6:00, we arrived a few hours earlier
than
planned.

The first stop in the park was at the La Sal Mountains viewpoint. What an
introduction to Arches NP. The La Sal Mountains are in the distance to
the left.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

Next on the itinerary was a stop at Courthouse Towers:

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

The 'Three Gossips' is the formation just right of center with the three
small
'heads'. They don't appear to be gossiping, until one sees this view:

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

A little further down the main road in the park brings one to the
Petrified
Dunes overlook, another great view.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

The Delicate Arch is found on all the Utah license plates, and seems to
be the
state symbol. This picture was taken from the lower viewpoint. Next time
I'll
take the two-mile walk to the arch itself.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

The North and South Windows are a big attraction. Very photogenic.

http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

Some of my favorites:

Pine Tree
Arch:http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

Fins in the Devil's
Playground:http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

The Balance Rock of Arches
NP.http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

Skyline Arch (A big favorite, mostly because of the Utah Juniper in the
foreground):http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

One of the most graceful arches, Landscape
Arch:http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

Typical roadside view in that neck of the
woods.http://i98.photobucket.com/albums/l2...%20National%20...

Next time - some pics of the Fiery Furnace.
--
John H

All decisions are the result of binary thinking.

Great job, John. Those were wonderful. i wonder how many 'balancing
rocks' there are out there? Looking forward to seeing more!

Thanks again!

Lots of balancing rocks in the west. The upper levels of the land are hard
rock layers on top of softer sandstone in lots of places. Get a lava flow
etc. over the sandstone. Then the rocks fall off the cliff as it erodes
from under the cap stone. Then the lower area where the rock fell, erodes
from under the hard rock leaving a balancing rock. See a lot around Lee's
Ferry on the Colorado.