Landscape Arch at Sunrise

The Grand-daddy of Arches

The Grand-Daddy of All Arches

No, I am not talking about McDonald’s Arches.

There are arches other than those golden ones which have become an American icon.

These natural beauties are the arches that should be one of our icons.  Landscape Arch is surely one of the world’s greatest natural wonders.

It has the greatest span of any natural arch documented, over 290 feet long. At its narrowest, the rock is only 6 feet wide. This is an arc natural arch, a geological specimen very old and near the end of its life cycle. The arch could collapse any day or it could last another century. You have to remember we’re talking about arches made from eroded sandstone here – they have an incredibly long life span, but can collapse without warning.

In the last 17 years, sizable chunks have fallen from Landscape Arch.

In September of 1991, a 73-foot slab of rock crashed to the earth from underneath the narrowest part. This rock fall may have actually prolonged the life of the rest of the arch, as the piece was considered structurally unimportant and it reduced the weight of the suspended rock. In June of 1995, a 47-foot mass fell from the front of the thinnest section , soon to be followed by a third rock 2 weeks later. Since then, the trail that once wound beneath the arch has been closed by the Park Service. Smart move!

Landscape Arch is in Devil’s Garden in Arches National Park, a few miles north of Moab Utah.

The hike to see this arch is just over a mile, but it really is an easy hike to this point on extremely maintained paths. If you can walk 2 miles in your mall, you can walk the 2 miles in and out to see this giant arch. If you are ever in this area, consider getting out of your car and really look at the rocks. This is a must see, and the Park Service has made it as easy as possible to see Landscape Arch. I saw toddlers carried on their parents’ backs and I saw octogenarians walking with canes, all checking out the magnificent view.

There are other arches in Devils’ Garden – it has the largest number of significant natural arches in the world.

However, once past this landmark, it gets a mite more rugged (ha!) and it is almost easy to feel that you are an intrepid explorer in the wilderness if you are visiting at an off-peak time. Next post, I’ll share with you the other arches in the area – the ones I had to crawl up and down rocks to see. Ah, but they are so awesome. Such a wonderful experience to have filed away in my brain for further consideration.

Shadows of Leaves – Great Sand Dunes Nature Trail

Illusion

On Great Sand Dunes Nature Trail © 2008 Bo Mackison

Photography, as we all know, is not real at all. It is an illusion of reality with which we create our own private world. ~ Arnold Newman  (American photographer)

Apache Plume in Wupatki National Monument

APache Plume on the High Desert

Apache Plume on the High Desert

The Apache Plume is a true desert plant, found in all four southwestern United States’ desert regions – Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Mojave, and Great Basin. Though it has white, five petaled flowers (very much like the wild rose I see throughout the Midwest) the true fascination I have with this plant comes from its thick, wild, silky seed heads – pink fluffy plumes that look very frazzled and blow in even the slightest of winds.

Talk about always having a bad hair day!!!

These plants, little shrubs actually, were in bloom all over the high desert when we were traveling in early October. I admired them while hiking near Wupatki National Monument, about 40 miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona.

This desert stuff – there is much to admire!

Desert Tree at Dusk

Arches National Park, Utah

Arches National Park, Utah © 2008 Bo Mackison

While the snow flies here in Wisconsin, instantly turning my world into whites and grays, I am bringing to mind the warmth of the desert – the oranges, yellows, and pinks – and the cooling breezes that wash over the earth when the sun sets. I give thanks for the memories.

This scape was taken in mid-October at Arches National Park, Utah – a high desert region.

Giving Thanks to the Trees

Many people, other than the authors, contribute to the making of a book, from the first person who had the bright idea of alphabetic writing through the invention of the movable type to the lumberjack who felled the trees that were pulped for printing. It is not customary to acknowledge the trees themselves, though their commitment is total.
~ Rada and Forsyth, Machine Learning

When I examine my bookshelves for the perfect book to read, I am always thankful for my books. I’ve never thought to be thankful for the trees, too.