“To the Mona Lisa”, Melissa winked at us as we got into the car to Jeff and her. No, we are not in Paris and on the way to the Louvre to see one or the other masterpiece by Leonardo. We are on our way to the Arches National Park, together with our new friends Jeff and Melissa.
And what about the Mona Lisa? The Mona Lisa is a certain arch you must have seen, the Delicate Arch. For those who do not know it: An arch is a “stone bridge”. As for the “stone bridge” in Arches National Park, these are all of natural origin. It does not mean that visiting Delicate Arch is like visiting the Louvre in Paris without seeing the Mona Lisa. I find this comparison interesting and fitting in a way that is not so unique. The Delicate Arch is certainly as wonderful as the Mona Lisa, and like other works of art in the Louvre it fades in relation to the other wonders that Arches National Park has to offer.
The short hike of about five kilometers (round trip) was like a pilgrimage. Felt 1000 “believers” crowded over the wide rocky ridge, which led up to the “sanctuary”. Once there, we lined up like most in a line for the photo “under the arch”. The Delicate Arch is amazing, despite the many people who posted here, sweat, ate, drank or just as we, sat and marvel at this masterpiece of nature.
We still looked at many Arches scattered throughout the National Park waiting for our discovery. And each one was different and enchanted the senses in a unique way.
Here are our Top 3 Arches:
1 – Delicate Arch:
Another funny comparison, similar to the Mona Lisa that I read is: “Going to Arches and not seeing Delicate Arch is like flying to the moon, then staying in the space shuttle to clip your toenails”. The Delicate Arch you see almost everywhere in Utah. This is shown on the license plates of State of Utah. So, nail scissors away and up to the Delicate Arch 😉
2 – Landscape Arch:
If Arches National Park is the workshop of nature for stone arches, then the Landscape Arch is a particularly daring and very old design. With its 88.4 m (290.1 feet), Landscape is the largest arch in North America and the fifth longest natural stone arch in the world.
3 – South and North Window:
The South and North Window Arch was created from the same rock. When you stand in front of them, it looks like a window to the sky. Whether this is blue or filled with stars.
Hi, my name is Jürgen. Most know me as Jay. I know, this can be confusing. My new name was caused by hundreds of Starbucks cups, all labeled with different names. I have never encountered life as powerfully as it has in recent years and I should not be surprised that I have left behind the realm of quick and impersonal business and conforming to society’s expectations. I swapped my jacket for hiking clothes and shorts, the aftershave for bug spray, and my car for a camper.
Leave a Reply