We’ve started our journey around America traveling over the country’s backroads while wearing masks like bandits. The beginning of the trip was in Fallon, Nevada, which might seem strange given that we live in Oregon. Getting to Fallon, however, involved traveling over I-5 and I-80, two of Americas busiest freeways. Freeways are to be avoided and ignored in this series— even though Peggy and I have to use them on occasion.
In Fallon, we climbed on Highway 50. Its claim to being the ‘loneliest road in America,’ gives it genuine backroad credentials. I’ll get back to it. There is much to tell about the legendary highway I grew up near. But given Covid-19, our two to three month backroads exploration is off to a rocky start— and there are few places in America rockier than Arches National Park. Peggy and I know. We took 572 photos of rocks there. Peggy promises you won’t have to look at all of them. But there will be quite a few. Grin. I love red rock country.
Today, I am going to start with just one, the famous Balanced Rock. Its total height is 128 feet. The boulder on top makes up 55 feet of its height and weighs in at 3500 tons. If you have been to Arches, the odds are you have a photo. Millions of tourists have stood and stared up at it in awe.
It stands as a testament to the fact that there is much more to see in Arches than just arches. A lot more. Geology is the reason for the park’s unique look. The rocks that make up Arches have been layed down over hundreds of millions of years under a wide range of circumstances ranging from deserts to seas. Their different makeup impacts how fast they erode and that leads to the fantastic rock sculptures and monuments seen through the park. There will be more on the geology in coming posts.
In addition to its unique look and geology, the thing that fascinates me about Balanced Rock is how its look changes drastically from different angles as you walk around it. And that is the subject of today’s photos.
NEXT POST: We’ll start at the beginning of the park with Wall Street, the Organ, and the Sheep.
Wandering through Time and Place 
Curt, are you using your RV? We are wondering if finding restaurants and hotels is a problem at this time.
It wouldn’t appear to be, Ray. Hotels and motels both seem open in large numbers. Also restaurants. Most restaurants seem to be taking the coronavirus seriously. RV campgrounds certainly are. I can’t say how safe motels are. I’d check chains to see what their policies are. –Curt
Oh please be careful. All my best to you and Peggy.
Thanks, JoHanna. We are being paranoid careful. –Curt
I think that “Snoopy” looks more like a bust of a dinosaur, but then again – that’s me….
Thankfully around here, masks are the rule still and that’s good because after the beaches opened early and the protests, our county had a massive spike.
Dinosaurs work. 🙂
Throw in bars, meat packing plants, prisons, senior citizen facilities, church services and political rallies. Each has contributed its share, G. Almost any public gathering. I am glad to see that the Republican National Convention in Jacksonville is taking the coronavirus more seriously! –Curt
The southern states seem to be having more of a problem – other than the metropolitan NE – so we have been taking precautions for a long time. I was primarily wondering how availability was on the “back roads.” We flew to Ohio to see someone a couple of weeks ago and I am flying again tomorrow. For the most part, businesses seem to be taking it seriously, and my greatest concern is some other customers, many of who seem to feel masks are for sissies, to me showing a tremendous disregard for the health of others. Nonetheless, we keep going and try to be cautious, not fearful.
Which is about all we can do, Ray. I am a strong believer in a healthy dose of paranoia at this time. 🙂 –Curt
Yes! My thoughts too. Definitely reminds me of a red T-Rex in a couple of those shots.
Indeed!!
Ah, T-Rex or Snoopy. T-rex is probably much more appropriated for the time the rocks were first deposited. 🙂
Stay well and enjoy the travels.
Thanks, Peggy.
Stay well away from precariously balancing rocks or people without masks.
I am surprised the rock hasn’t tumbled down yet.
It may very well, next week— or ten thousand years from now. 🙂 Thanks, Gerard. –Curt
Yes, I have a picture of the Balancing Rock!
Are the National Parks open during the pandemic? Ours are all closed. In Europe we look on bewildered with what is happening in USA!
In the US, we look on bewildered about what is happening here, Andrew! The parks are open on a limited basis as part of the re-opening. But at the pandemic rages on, who knows what will happen. We were supposed to be starting our trip on the Rhine today.
Maybe next year Curt?
We are still planning on it, Andrew. Assuming a vaccine…
Utterly bewildered here as well!
How did we get such dreadful leaders in USA and UK?
All I can say is that I didn’t vote for Trump (or Reagan, for that matter)! 😦
I read yesterday that some people who voted for Trump are now feeling serious guilt about their decision, Gunta. –Curt
Yeah… funny how a friend from my early childhood days crowed about Trump winning and suggested we give him a chance. I didn’t bother responding. Funny how she doesn’t want to talk to me these days. 😦
The Great Divide. There was no question in my mind about what we could expect from Trump. 🙂
ditto! 😦
One could probably write a book… Wait, a thousand books have already been! It boggles the mind, Andrew.
And it only gets more bewildering!
Wel the US government need to do something about it
Glad you’re going against the flow and wearing masks. Good to hear you’re venturing out again too!
Masks are becoming mandatory in more and more areas. So, at least that part of it is looking up. –Curt
Bravo to you all for wearing masks and modeling the way for others. Glad to hear you are on the back roads and hopefully finding wilderness and few people.
The ‘balanced rock’ looks more balanced at some angles than others. Fascinating geology.
We have another rock that we will share that looks even more unbalanced to us, Sue. 🙂 Any people around, our masks go on!
Great photos. That’s a pretty impressive pile of rocks 🙂
Alison
Yeah, you can say that. 🙂 –Curt
Looks really nice!
I was wondering if this is suitable for trad rock climbing?
Traditional rock climbing is allowed in the park. You can go here for details: https://www.nps.gov/arch/planyourvisit/rockclimbing.htm
Such a great post, Curt, for both the rock formation shown (like a hitchhiker with that thumb up!) and your survey of the current scene in America. Looking forward to reading more from the road.
Thanks, Kelly. As you probably noted, there has been a lack of posts, lately. 🙂 I expect the dearth will continue for three more weeks. And then I will start to. catch up. –Curt
Hey, a lack of posts just means you’re enjoying yourself!! Hope you’re having a fantastic road trip. We’ll be here when you’re back!
🙂
Great spot to visit. Thanks for showing me.
There will be more Kelly. When I get time to blog more. 🙂 –Curt
I get it..I’ve been working from home and being on home computer right now doesn’t appeal to me. And weekends I’ve been out doing local adventures…hard to get it all written down
Getting out for adventures takes priority, Kelly. 🙂 –Curt
I couldn’t agree more
🙂
Glad to hear you’re on the road again and look forward to seeing your posts. Somehow I guess there aren’t any noticeable earthquakes near Arches or that rock might not have lasted this long perched up there!
Seems like RV’s are the way to travel these days if one wants to maximize protection from Covid.
May you be safe 🙂
Thanks, Arati. We are glad to be on the road and are being super careful, make that paranoid. 🙂 Arches is one of my favorite National Parks. And yes, I expect a major earthquake could do real damage there. –Curt
We’ve been wandering around out west by car also, Curt – in our case in Colorado and New Mexico. We were at Arches last August and were wowed! It will be fun to see your trip photos!
Glad you escaped out onto the road Lexi. We should hit Colorado on our return trip. I thought about you when Peggy and I stopped to see Linda Leinen in League City.
We spent a fail amount of time in New Mexico last fall, pre-Covid-19! And zipped down through Silver City this time. –Curt
Curt, we visited Arches on our trip out west last summer, and it reminded me of why digital cameras are so great – film costs there would break the bank. We were there pre-Covid so we had to plan for crowds. We got a very early start (in fact, we rolled in before the office opened), but by the time we left, there was a 1/2 mile long queue waiting to get in – poor sods. I imagine crowds are no big deal now. ~James
Lines were definitely not a problem, James. Although there were still a fair number of people around the major sites. We found it easy to avoid crowds, however. And let’s hear it for digital cameras! 🙂 Of course there is still the problem with processing all of the photos! –Curt
Looks like the trip is off to a good start, with a well balanced post.
Grin… and then there was nothing for another week and a half. Where in the world is Curt?
Masks out there? I wont be a sheep
I have such adorable homemade masks that I’ll giggle with happiness if anyone calls me a sheep when I wear them! 🙂
Your B’aaaad. 🙂
I think if I can just save one life it is worth it.
Curt and Peggy it’s so great to see you there rockin’ out. I’ve been spending a lot of time recently in the Columbia River Gorge, where the main tourist spots are closed, but many trails are open. Good modeling for others, to keep your whole team masked. I love that. And yes, you are right, I’ve got a couple photos of the balanced rock too. LOVE Arches NP and glad you are visiting there.
Thanks Crystal. Good to see you are out and about locally. If Peggy and I weren’t on this road trip around the US, hitting all the Covid-19 hot spots (grin), we would be doing the same thing. We are being super cautious out here! We are in Florida with our son and his family now. –Curt
Oy, Florida! I guess that would make a visitor extra cautious. I’m glad you are seeing your family though. That’ll take the stressful edge off a stressful 2020.
Oy is right, Crystal! We seem to be moving from one hot spot to another. 🙂 It has been good to see the kids and grand kids, however. We have a couple more weeks of family before we start making our way back across America.–Curt
Okay, Curt: that is one serious rock! And funny how we see different things — I see a dinosaur’s head where you see Snoopy.
The majority were right along with you on the dinosaur, Cynthia. 🙂 Indeed, I may be the only one that saw Snoopy. Grin. –Curt