Arches National Park (Day 1)
The first place we went was double arch. There were several arches in the area (so we could park and hike around) and we went here first because the map suggested we take photos here in the morning (since the sun would be on the main face of the arch). You can see why it's called double arch. It was a fairly short hike to it.
![Double Arch](/photos/2014/may/albumbfe41677ae.jpg)
Double Arch
The first place we went was double arch. There were several arches in the area (so we could park and hike around) and we went here first because the map suggested we take photos here in the morning (since the sun would be on the main face of the arch). You can see why it's called double arch. It was a fairly short hike to it.
![Under the Arch](/photos/2014/may/album7fafbe4deb.jpg)
Under the Arch
![Windows](/photos/2014/may/album86a21027b4.jpg)
Windows
We hiked to the North and South windows next. We hardly hiked to get to the North window, and we had to hike a little farther to get to the South window. Just a little farther we found a spot where you could see both windows. The one on the left is the South window, and the one on the right is the North window. This was the first time we were isolate from the majority of the people (because the hike was longer than a quarter-mile).
![Turret Arch](/photos/2014/may/albume3768d2f1d.jpg)
Turret Arch
We never hiked to turret arch (because we were hungry for lunch), but we could see it from the North window.
![Lunch Spot](/photos/2014/may/album4409449008.jpg)
Lunch Spot
After hiking the window arches, we went back to the car and got our lunch. Before we left that morning we stopped and got some subs and put them in a cooler. We took the subs back up to double arch and ate our lunch. Afterwards, we took a few more photos since there were less people.
![Bridge to Delicate Arch](/photos/2014/may/album323b74a6e0.jpg)
Bridge to Delicate Arch
After lunch, we took a gamble and moved the car. There were a lot of people in the park and we wern't quite sure if we would be able to find a new parking spot at our next destination. Our next stop was delicate arch. It was a little over a mile long hike (one way), but it was pretty strenuous. It was busy (despite the step hike), since it's the staple thing you go see at arches.
![No People](/photos/2014/may/album7c761fed8e.jpg)
No People
We spent quite some time up there. Probably around an hour. Within the first 10 minutes I took a perfect opportunity to take a photo without anyone in it. At any given point, there were around 20 people at delicate arch, so it was lucky to get such a perfect shot.
![Under the Arch](/photos/2014/may/album6277887630.jpg)
Under the Arch
People took turns standing under the arch, and it was Katherine's turn!
![From the Side](/photos/2014/may/album3022029ceb.jpg)
From the Side
I have been to Arches twice now. The first time was in the 8th grade (9 years ago - about 6 months before I really started doing photography). That time I was there before was the reason I wanted to go back! I remember taking a photo very similar to this one and absolutely loving it. Unfortunately, I lost those photos (now all my important photos are backed up on my blog), so i wanted to take another.
![Waited For Everyone to Leave](/photos/2014/may/albumb54c538e16.jpg)
Waited For Everyone to Leave
I was able to take about 3 photos while someone walked away from the arch and someone else walked up to it. This was the shot I got.
![Only Mountains in the Area](/photos/2014/may/album9d1323f6d0.jpg)
Only Mountains in the Area
These were the only traditional-looking mountains in the area. You could only see them from the high spots in the park.
![Balance Rock](/photos/2014/may/album3dc3a1b975.jpg)
Balance Rock
A few weeks ago we went to the Garden of the Gods in Colorado. They had a balance rock also, but it wasn't that impressive - and it was about 20 feet from the road. This balance rock is a little bit more impressive, but it was also off the road (but probably a 200 foot distance from the parking lot).
![Around the Area](/photos/2014/may/albumfd5407aea0.jpg)