THURSDAY, JUNE 10, 2010:

I would drive a total of 75 miles today.

All of the images below are thumbnails and can be clicked on for a larger image.

It was pretty cloudy Thursday morning when I took my scenic flight over Canyonlands National Park.
The very small Cessna aircraft bounced around quite a bit making it very hard to take pictures.
The mighty Colorado and Green Rivers divide Canyonlands National Park into 3 sections,
and millions of years or erosion makes it impossible to view by land.
By airplane we soared over the Colorado River past Island in the Sky and The Maze.
Cessna airplane that took me over Canyonlands Cayonlands National Park from the air Cayonlands National Park from the air

On our approach to the Needles area we flew over the Confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers
which can be seen in the picture on the lower left.
Confluence of Green & Colorado Rivers in Cayonlands National Park from the air Cayonlands National Park from the air Cayonlands National Park from the air

In case you didn't see enough of Dead Horse Point in yesterday's travelog, here's yet a third perspective.
The two picture below are Dead Horse Point State Park from the air.
Dead Horse Point State Park from the air Dead Horse Point State Park from the air

It was very difficult to shoot the eleven minute video of the scenic flight over Canyonlands.
The very small Cessna bounces a good bit and then there was the obstacle of the wing blocking my view.

My morning adventure complete, it was time for some adventure on land.
I took a four hour Hummer safari in Moab's Slickrock Canyon.
Hummer Moab's Slickrock Canyon Moab's Slickrock Canyon

We experienced first hand several remote geologic wonders and savored breathtaking
vistas into both the Colorado River valley and the Moab valley.
There are also bicycle trails in the canyon. We watched the group on the right for a few minutes.
Moab's Slickrock Canyon Moab's Slickrock Canyon Moab's Slickrock Canyon

This was my first experience doing anything like this. It was great fun but I do have
to admit that my southern half was a little sore the next day from the bouncing around.
We got a nice view of the Colorado River from one of the vistas.
We also had fun watching other off-roaders tackling some of the more difficult challenges.
View of Colorado River from Moab's Slickrock Canyon Moab's Slickrock Canyon Moab's Slickrock Canyon

We got a nice view of the town of Moab from the top of one of the hills.
The town of Moab, Utah The town of Moab, Utah

You can see and hear all the bumps during my off-road adventure in the eleven minute video below.
But thankfully your backside won't feel them when you wake up tomorrow.

I went back to Arches National Park later in the afternoon after finishing the Hummer trip.
The pictures below are the Park Avenue section again. A little more light than on Tuesday.
Park Avenue in Arches National Park Park Avenue in Arches National Park

Next I went out to the Devil's Garden section at the northern end of the park.
Devil's Garden Trail in Arches National Park Devil's Garden Trail in Arches National Park Devil's Garden Trail in Arches National Park

It was a little over a mile hike out to Landscape Arch. Landscape Arch is considered to be
the longest natural arch in the world measuring just over 290 feet long.
Devil's Garden Trail in Arches National Park Landscape Arch in Arches National Park Landscape Arch in Arches National Park

Other Arches along the Devil's Garden Trail are Tunnel Arch and Pine Tree Arch.
Devil's Garden Trail in Arches National Park Tunnel Arch in Arches National Park Pine Tree Arch in Arches National Park

There are many different arches featured in the nine minute video below.

After spending a couple of hours in Devil's Garden it was once again my favorite time of day, sunset.
The scenic drive through Arches National Park The scenic drive through Arches National Park The scenic drive through Arches National Park

Next I explored the Windows section of the park.
Below, left to right, is the North Window, South Window and then both Windows.
North Window in Arches National Park South Window in Arches National Park North & South Windows in Arches National Park

Turret Arch (lower left) is just across from the windows.
Almost completely out of daylight I attempted to photograph Double Arch.
Turret Arch in Arches National Park Double Arch in Arches National Park

With the sun very low in the sky, the two pictures below look back on the Windows section
of the park with the La Sal Mountains looming in the background.
The La Sal Mountains looming behind the Windows section of Arches National Park The La Sal Mountains looming behind the Windows section of Arches National Park

Before leaving the park I stopped around Balanced Rock to enjoy the sunset.
Sunset at Balanced Rock in Arches National Park Sunset at Balanced Rock in Arches National Park Sunset at Balanced Rock in Arches National Park

I tried to capture my favorite time of day to visit Arches in the eleven minute video below.

MY DAILY EMAIL SENT ON JUNE 10, 2010
Hello folks,

When I get home from this vacation, I am going to need a vacation. I seem to get up early and go to bed late everyday. Today was no exception. I had to get up early for a morning flight over Canyonlands National Park.

Cessna airplane that took me over Canyonlands

Our pilot was a real nice retired federal Marshall. Canyonlands National Park is huge. Some areas can only be seen from the air.

Cayonlands National Park from the air

It was an hour long flight. It was a little cloudy this morning. The pilot said that was a good thing.

Cayonlands National Park from the air

It was a little hard to take pictures in the very small plane as we were bouncing up and down. Below is the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers.

Confluence of Green & Colorado Rivers in Cayonlands National Park from the air

Below is yet another view of Dead Horse Point in case you didn't see enough yesterday. I think I have now photographed it from every possible angle.

Dead Horse Point State Park from the air

The flight was great fun. I'm happiest when I am in the air. But next it was time for some adventure on land. I went off-roading in a Hummer.

Hummer

We spent 4 hours in Slip Rock Canyon scaling rocks at grades up to 35%.

Moab's Slickrock Canyon

Below is a view of the Colorado River from Slip Rock Canyon.

View of Colorado River from Moab's Slickrock Canyon

Below you can see a jeep climbing up a canyon.

Moab's Slickrock Canyon

We got a nice view of the city of Moab from one of the cliffs.

The town of Moab, Utah

Next I went back to Arches National Park. Below is Park Avenue again, but this time with a little more light.

Park Avenue in Arches National Park

Below is Landscape Arch. It was a two mile hike to get here.

Landscape Arch in Arches National Park

Below is Tunnel Arch.

Tunnel Arch in Arches National Park

Below is Pine Tree Arch.

Pine Tree Arch in Arches National Park

Sun was setting pretty fast at this point. I love the color of the rock during sunset.

The scenic drive through Arches National Park

Below are the north and south Windows.

North & South Windows in Arches National Park

Below is Double Arch. Sun has almost set at this point so it's kinda dark.

Double Arch in Arches National Park

Below are the La Sal Mountains behind the rock pillars of Arches at sunset.

The La Sal Mountains looming behind the Windows section of Arches National Park

The middle rock pillar is Balanced Rock as the set had completely set.

Sunset at Balanced Rock in Arches National Park

No more daylight so it was time to end today's activities until sunrise tomorrow. That's all for now,

Tim
Click on email photos for the large full-size photograph.


Click on the arrow above to see tomorrow's adventures!

TIM'S HOME PAGE SITE INDEX
AreasDescription# of Pages
About MeCurrent Picture of me and my home.
Information about myself.
2
BiographyPictorial biography of myself.
Pictures range from birth to adulthood.
4
Family FilePictures of my family
and a little information about them.
12
Local SpotlightPictures, Links, and Information for
Indianapolis, Richmond, Plainfield,
and Mooresville, Indiana.
6
Tim's TravelsPictures, videos and travelogs from
my travels around the world.
409
  Vacation Videos   Over 1500 videos from
my travels around the world.
1
NOTICE: THIS WEB SITE WILL BE PERMANENTLY CLOSED ON JUNE 1, 2024