Awsumb Kenneth Hardy
10th Birthday at Delicate Arch
October 19, 2011
October 19, 2011
I have been dying to take Awsumb to see some of Southern Utah. So this year when we planned to visit family in Utah I made sure to plan a few days for us to drive down to Arches National Park.
Awsumb was so excited and kept asking, "So we are really going to be IN Arches ON my birthday?" and then there was the "Can I wear my new leather jacket?" questions... He didn't realize how warm it could be in Southern Utah even in October.
First thing, Awsumb was dying to go to
The ROCK SHOP!
After a steak dinner at Jeffrey's Steakhouse
(organic grass fed beef and local veggies)
it was time for bed to rest up for the long day of hiking.
When it comes to accomodations,
Moab leaves much to be desired.
Awsumb was especially excited to see Balancing Rock
because it was featured in an Indiana Jones movie.
Awsumb and Kenneth
sporting his new T-shirt
"UTAH ROCKS"
I wouldn't want to be under this rock this when it falls!
This place makes boys feel like men!
(the base of Balanced Rock)
Cairns
placed by rangers and visitors
mark the trails throughout the park
Tree at Balanced Rock
Awsumb snapped this photo of
some Awesome Rock Climbers
Park rules state that no named
arches or spires should be climbed.
We named the below rock
Kid Rocks!
Can you see it?
Looks a little like a Lego Mini-fig?
Tourette Arch (from the Windows)
The Windows
Wendy and Awsumb
Kenneth under the arch
Awsumb photographs the arch
Awsumb's photo
Through to the backside of The Windows
Both Windows
Parade of The Elephants
Awsumb
Elephant Arch
My favorite, so beautiful!
Let's climb up!
Awsumb enjoyed exploring under these arches,
he wished he could explore the caves,
also seen in an Indiana Jones movie
Awsumb's thought the Kangaroo Squirrel were cute
A Little Birthday Picnic Lunch!
Delicate Arch
A moderate 1.5 mile "trail" up steep rock,
ending with a short distance on a high cliff
until you finally round a corner
and end up on the edge of the
big bowl including Delicate Arch.
AMAZING!
Awsumb has a fear of heights and I knew the hike to
Delicate Arch would test his ability to cope with that,
but that he would feel so accomplished after,
so I pushed him along and in the end he had to wait for me!
Awsumb was more than just a little nervous walking
around the steep bowl and even had
to sit down because he felt so dizzy.
About this time Awsumb decided to tell everyone
about a friend of ours who had an accident falling 100 feet...
Yeah, not a converstation to have just then!
And when he finally made it to stand under Delicate Arch...
Petroglyphs
Awsumb's shot:
And not too long after this the sun begins to set..
Arches National Park is beautiful at dusk
Fins create a Fiery Furnace!
Dinner at Beck's and BED!
Awsumb was so tired he didn't even
want to take a swim in the pool!
Arches National Park - Day Two
Proud of his Jr. Ranger status
after completing all requirements
and of course having a long
converstation with a Ranger
converstation with a Ranger
regarding his questions and ideas!
Just a short walk through the fins and sand to...
Sand Dune Arch
Kenneth and Awsumb
The cool sands are perfect place to cool of on a hot afternoon.
I remember playing here for quite some time when I came as a teen.
There is so much exploring to do.
As usual, Awsumb wasn't so interested in digging in the sand!
The day before we left my father gave Awsumb
this official US Army Air Chemical Test Kit.
Awsumb thought it was so great
and filled it with his first aid kit,
pocket knife and compass.
He carried it all over the park
and had to explain to everyone what it was!
Thanks Dad!
This arch is free to be explored...
we saw people climb all through
and up to the top edges of these fins
Skyline Arch
(previously called "An Arch in the Making"
before a huge chunk fell one day!)
Arches is a great park for all ages. Most of the arches can easily be seen in one day. And most of the hikes are pretty easy... Even Delicate Arch can be viewed from a choice of two easier trails (though at a distance). But there is also so much to explore in Arches and you could spend days here or come back again and again. Who knows maybe over the years you will be witness to some of the erosion process!
And then it was off to hunt for DINOS!
The Awsumb family at Delicate Arch in the 80's
Brian, Wendy, Jennie, Katie and Dennis
2 comments:
Awesome pictures! What an amazing way to spend Awsumb's 10th birthday, especially with his love of Indiana Jones. Nate's birthday is tomorrow & I wish we could do something that special.
i have lived in utah my whole life & have never been to arches. i think it's about time we took the family down for a vacation. thanks for sharing pics!
-erin
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