…if we allow ourselves contemplative time in nature-whether it’s gardening, going for a walk with the dog, or being in the heart of the southern Utah wilderness-then we can hear the voice of our conscience. If we listen to that voice, it asks us to be conscious. And if we become conscious we choose to live lives of consequence.
Terry Tempest Williams
This blog is celebrating ten years since its first post on March 23, 2014. Besides sharing photos, I wanted to tell the stories behind those images. The blog also shares my passion for travel and nature, among other things. To commemorate the date, I’ve included more photos of Arches National Park in southeast Utah.
Unlike my previous Arches NP photos featuring arches along the Devil’s Garden trail, these arches can be seen by driving the Arches Scenic drive inside the park. Sometimes, you may want to leave the car at the parking lot and get closer to one or another formation. I suggest you do that to experience how immense those arches can be.
The first image I featured here is the iconic Balanced Rock. I chose this angle because it is uncommon and shows how round the rock on top of the structure is. Here, the same rock can be seen from different angles. The second photo is the more common view one associates with the Balanced Rock. Although I have these photos in another post, you can compare them side by side here.
You can see these other eight arches by driving along the Arches Scenic Drive.
The Skyline Arch is attractive because of a dramatic change in its structure. In 1940, a large boulder fell out of the arch, roughly doubling the size of the opening! You can still see the leftover boulders at the arch’s base today.
The Tapestry Arch is unique because it’s not just a single arch but a series of three smaller arches connected. Its name comes from a lacy, patterned effect in the sandstone, resembling a tapestry. This formation is sometimes called a “triple arch” for this reason. The view from sitting under the middle arch is beautiful.
The Broken Arch is a deceptive name. While it has a large crack running along the top, the arch is very much intact! The crack gives it a precarious appearance, but Broken Arch is still a fully standing arch and likely will be for a long time.
Unlike many other arches in the park perched high on cliffs, the Sand Dune Arch is nestled among towering sandstone fins on the ground. The trail leading to the arch goes through deep, red sand, resembling a beach.
The Delicate Arch is the most famous natural arch in the park and possibly the entire world. It’s a freestanding arch, meaning it has no supporting rock beneath it, and stands at an impressive 52 feet (15.8 meters) tall.
The Double Arch is a truly awe-inspiring sight. It’s aptly named because it consists of two arches with a joint base. Unlike other arches in the park, this arch was formed by water erosion from above. This process is known as tafoni erosion.
The Turret Arch holds its unique charm despite being dwarfed by some of its neighboring arches. It isn’t just a single arch but a part of a more intricate rock formation that includes a spire, hence the name “Turret.” This formation has two openings: one you can walk through and another high up on the rock face.
Finally, we come to the Window Arch. There’s not one arch called “Window Arch” but rather two separate arches collectively called “The Windows.” These two arches, North Window and South Window, are framed together by a large sandstone fin, creating a window-like appearance.
I hope you have enjoyed seeing these arches. If you visit Arches NP, please go when the weather is mild. Almost anywhere in the park, you are exposed to the elements and have hardly any shade.
solaner
Simply wow 👍👍👍👍
Egídio Leitão
So glad you liked those, André. Thanks.
solaner
You‘re welcome 😊
boromax
Wow! The photos are fabulous! And muitos parabéns for ten years of blogging! Well done. ~Ed.
Egídio Leitão
Ed, thank you very much for the wishes and kind words.
carabeinsplash
These are great photos! I appreciate the descriptions too. Very cool. I’m excited to see ANP this year.
Egídio Leitão
I’m certain you’ll have a great time there. Thanks for the feedback.
Toonsarah
Scenic indeed, and a great selection of images to celebrate your blogging anniversary 🙂 Thanks for taking me back to a region I loved but only have captured on old slides.
Egídio Leitão
I’m happy that the photos took you back to a happy place, Sarah. Thank you.
Tranature - quiet moments in nature
Happy 10 year Blogoversary Egidio! 🎉 The Arches National Park looks like an amazing place to explore and thank you for sharing your beautiful photographs here 😊
Egídio Leitão
And thank you, Xenia, for your compliment and feedback. I appreciate your kind words.
margaret21
These arches are extraordinary. I’m unlikely ever to see them ‘for real’, but this is definitely a pretty good second. Congratulations on ten years of blogging!
Egídio Leitão
Margaret, thank you for the comments and wishes on my blog’s tenth anniversary.
philosophy through photography
My hearty congratulations for celebrating 10 th year of your blogosphere journey.
And you always keep your readers hooked to these amazing mother nature’s wonders
Love these rock formations, and it’s a puzzle to me how they remain balanced over centuries.
I understand that the top rock is nothing but part of the rest of the rock hence never falls off.
Thank you, Egidio
Wishing you a great Sunday.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much for being a part of the celebration, Philo. Hope your weekend was great!
Hammad Rais
What a splendid way to celebrate your blog’s 10th anniversary. Mesmerizing views from Arches NP.
Egídio Leitão
Thank you so much, Hammad. I’m glad you liked the views at Arches NP.
Tra Italia e Finlandia
Complimenti per i dieci anni di blog e grazie per le foto sempre magnifiche. 😊👏
Queste rocce sono davvero pittoresche, di forme e volumi incredibili.
Egídio Leitão
Grazie mille.
Brad
So much beauty in the color, formations, and contrast to the blue skies. Thanks for a wonderful trip down memory lane and kudos on 10 years blogging Egidio!
Egídio Leitão
Brad, that blue sky was so vibrant against the rock colors. I’m happy you enjoyed the post. Thanks for the comments and congrats for the first ten years.
Anne Sandler
Beautiful images Egidio! I love Arches NP.
Egídio Leitão
Anne, thank you so much. Arches is a dream park. A visitor just needs to be there in the right weather.