Since Rob was working the entire time we were in Blanding we wanted to stop and do something fun together on our drive home. I was a bit worried about the weather because it was snowing like crazy between Blanding and Monticello but Rob kept trying to convince me it would be sunny in Moab, and sure enough he was right.
We debated stopping to do a free hike so we could stick to our January spending freeze but we justified the $10.00 park fee thinking it wasn't that much to spend on a family activity. When we pulled up to the window to pay our fee the park ranger handed us our map and told us to enjoy the last day of free entry into a National Park weekend. I think both of our jaws hit the floor and we immediately gave thanks for that blessing.
It was still a a little cold in Moab, but nothing horrible, so we started up the 1 1/2 mile trail. I was so proud of Hannah, she made it the entire way without being carried. I think her confidence has been boosted after I made her hike the entire way into the Indian Ruins.
The winds had picked up when we got to the arch and I thought we were going to be blown right off the edge, Rob kept trying to convince me to go a little further telling me the winds were not as bad up there but the ledge kept getting smaller so I was happy right where I was.
Hunter and Rob braved the wind and the rest of the way to the arch while I stayed behind to take pictures and the girls hid from the wind under a rock.
*Rob took all of these pictures except for the last 3, and this is only a few of the many he took*
The wind kept blowing as we hiked back down and it even started snowing at one point. There was also some thunder and lightening and after living in Kansas my kids tend to panic when they hear any kind of rumble in the sky.
But despite the less than ideal hike out we had a great time. I would love to go back and explore more of Arches and I am happy to finally say I have been there after driving past it so many times in the last 10 years.
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