The day began with some overcast and a high wind warning for later in the afternoon. We drove to Arches National Park. The entrance is only about 10-12 miles from where we are camped. There is only one road not suitable for passenger cars and that's the one we used. All day long we saw just two other vehicles. They were headed in as we were going out.
The park has over 2,000 arches. They are formed by wind erosion and range in size from just a 3 ft opening (minimum for the arch designation) to Landscape Arch which is 306 ft from base to base. 
Tower Arch was the jewel we wanted to see at the end of this road. From there it was a short and beautiful hike. Without a suitable vehicle the only way to see this arch is to hike 3.4 miles each way.
Lush red rock is Entrada Sandstone
The tower and the arch
View opposite from below the arch
The wind in the valley had picked up and the view became obscured by the sand in the air.
The Eye of the Whale Arch
More dinosaur footprints. According to the sign these are from the Sauropod.
And these were made by the three-toed Therapod which was the size of an adult today.
We had planned to go back to the main road in the park to see some of the more famous arches. But by this time it was just too ugly to be out in the sand-filled wind. So, another day we'll return...... Even paradise isn't always perfect.
Tower Arch was the jewel we wanted to see at the end of this road. From there it was a short and beautiful hike. Without a suitable vehicle the only way to see this arch is to hike 3.4 miles each way.
Lush red rock is Entrada Sandstone
The tower and the arch
View opposite from below the arch
The wind in the valley had picked up and the view became obscured by the sand in the air.
The Eye of the Whale Arch
More dinosaur footprints. According to the sign these are from the Sauropod.
And these were made by the three-toed Therapod which was the size of an adult today.
We had planned to go back to the main road in the park to see some of the more famous arches. But by this time it was just too ugly to be out in the sand-filled wind. So, another day we'll return...... Even paradise isn't always perfect.
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