I say supposed to because the Arches did happen, the Four Corners Monument did not. Four Corners is the intersection of Arizona, Colorado, Utah, and New Mexico. We arrived about ten minutes before the monument was to close but the gate was already closed. It seems the staff wanted to leave early and called it a day. We watched them leave while Jane got a picture of the sign showing they were supposed to be open until 5:00. It was very disappointing, especially since Isabelle had said that was one place she really wanted to go and see. My take on it is that we were within a few hundred yards and besides, the marker may not really be at the exact location of Four Corners anyway (depending on who you believe), so no big deal. See here for more discussion on this.
The first part of our day went very well. Arches National Park is a wonderful park full of fins, arches, and pinnacles that defy description. We did a few hikes, some in the snow, and took lots of pictures. Isabelle got another Junior Ranger program done and got the badge to prove it. Again it started out cool but warmed up by midday.
On the drive to where we are tonight we found a Geocache so that I could claim one in Colorado. So far that's three for three. Tomorrow I need one in New Mexico to get one in that state.
Again the terrain changed dramatically as we went from desert to shrub land, and then through some grassy plains, back through dessert and into the dark. The change in amount of civilization was also apparent as we drove from deserted areas through farming communities and the Navajo and Ute areas.
Tonight we are in Gallup, NM. Supper was another Sodero Special as Jane picked out a great little Mexican place that was a little off most people's radar. It was called Jerry's Cafe. We had some of the best Mexican I have ever had. Jane fell in love with her stuffed sopaipilla.
Now for the pictures.
One of the first arches you see in Arches National Park
Landscape Arch
Landscape Arch in panorama
A view of the big sky out here in Utah
Having a little fun with the camera in front of Fiery Furnace. (We figured out how to clone Isabelle. Now we need to send one to each set of grandparents while we keep the original at home.)
Delicate Arch taken from a distance. We didn't hike in the three miles to see it up close. There just isn't enough time for everything.
More petroglyphs near Delicate Arch.
More big sky as the sun came out in the afternoon.
The girls and me in the North Window.
Turret Arch
The most spectacular view with several arches, including the one below, Double Arch.
Jerry's Cafe in Gallup, NM - the best Mexican food I've had in a while, maybe since San Diego two years ago.
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