Arches National Park is known for its soaring arches carved from stone, but that is only the beginning of its beauty.
One of our goals over the past several years has been to visit all of America’s National Parks. We’ve been to all 50 states in pursuit of this objective. There are a couple in Alaska still on our “to do list.” Since Peggy and I are presently wandering in Mexico, I’ve recruited some of our favorite National Park photos to fill in while we are gone. Enjoy.
Arches National Park is located in eastern Utah. While the towering rock arches are indeed striking, other rock sculptures are equally, if not more, impressive.
These stone sculptures stand like sentinels.
With dark rapidly approaching, only shadowy outlines could be seen. I am thinking the Three Wise Men.
This wall of stone greets visitors upon their arrival to Arches National Park. (Photo by Peggy Mekemson.)
I thought of this collection of rock sculptures as a family… Mom and the kids.
This collection shows different sedimentary rocks laid down in ancient times.
Another photo that captures sedimentary layers and shows the impact of weather on various rocks. Different rocks erode at different speeds, thus creating the wonderful sculptures seen throughout the Southwest..
Caught in the evening sun.
Naturally, any photo essay on Arches National Park has to include some arches.
The same arch caught 30 minutes later.
Looking up from under the arch. I knew the rock was solid but still felt nervous.
A final arch.
NEXT BLOG: We will head west to Yosemite National Park.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Nothing to say but, “Beautiful!” And, beautiful photos of the beautiful. And a beautiful reminder of the red rocks I found in the Texas Panhandle.
A destination still on my list is one I just couldn’t make this year – the Monument Rocks and etc. in northwestern Kansas. Rocks are just so cool!
Peggy and I were quite impressed with Red Rocks State Park as well, Linda. (Hope that was the name.) We spent the night there. It was just before or after we visited Turkey and the Bob Wills museum as I recall. And thanks. An absolutely wonderful trip can be made from Arches southwest through all of the great Utah Parks. Beautiful rocks galore! –Curt
Stunning.
Thanks… they are beautiful. –Curt
These are gorgeous. Just curious as to which park(s) you visited in North Dakota. I’m originally from that state (though I haven’t lived there for years). I hail from the eastern part, but the western state is gorgeous with the Badlands.
Very cool that you’ve traveled to all 50 states. I’ve been to a lot but have many left to visit.
Let’s see… North and South Dakota… My favorite was Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Also visited the Badlands and Wind Cave plus Mt. Rushmore. Also biked across North Dakota as part of my 10,000 mile bike trip. Loved the fields of sunflowers. –Curt
Wow, you really HAVE been all over. Mt. Rushmore is wonderful. It’s been so long since I’ve been there.
And still ticking along, Carrie. Just like the Ever-Ready battery. 🙂 –Curt
Curt, your photos are beautiful. We were there several years ago and were struck not only by its beauty, but also by the solitude. It was deliciously quiet. We’re hoping to make a return visit next year. Enjoy your Mexican wanders. ~Terri
Thanks Terri. I also enjoy the solitude. Walk out a couple of miles from a trailhead and you are on your own. I also like the fact that so many other great national parks are within a day or two’s drive. –Curt
Wonderful photos of a jaw-dropping place. Beautiful.
Have fun in Mexico – where are you?
Alison
Ah, you don’t want to know, Alison. 🙂 Peggy and I are in Puerto Vallarta. I read what you had to say about it earlier. (grin) Curt
Bet you are having a great time 🙂
Focused on Huichol art today and saw the greatest pelican feasting I have ever witnessed. It was incredible Alsion… right off the Malecon. There must have been 50 and they just kept diving. Peggy and I did both photos and video. –Curt
Wow, that must have been fabulous to watch. I love those pelis in Mexico. We travelled the Beagle Channel yesterday in iffy weather – saw Magellanic penguins, sea lions, cormorants in huge numbers. We’re supposed to fly north today (time to get out of Patagonia and back to the warmth) and it is *snowing*! Hoping we get off the ground.
Patagonia has always been on my bucket list Alison. Shouldn’t it be well into spring there? We travelled up to the old colonial town of San Sebastian in the Sierra Madre Mountains yesterday. It was refreshingly cool. So you were in search of warmer weather and we were in search of cooler. –Curt
It is well into spring lol. Ushuaia average daily temp for *Summer* is 52.
We are now in Mendoza where it is about 100! Sweet 🙂
Such magnificent beauty..
I look at the photos and want to go back immediately, myself. 🙂 –Curt
I found Arches a very male park. Could be wrong, but I thought the one you marked as sentinels may be called The Three Sisters (that or that’s my made up name). As always, great photos.
A very male park… hmm. 🙂 Peggy seemed to notice that as well. You are likely right about the Three Sisters. All of the monuments seem to have names. I like making up my own. (grin) –Curt