Coast to Coast Grandkids Tour - Arches NP (July 2011)

The sultry red rock landscapes of Arches National Park are among the most dramatic in the country.

Balanced Rock is one of the favorite places to see while at the park.  Who knows when this thing will fall off its pedestal.

Dave and Ryan waving during our primitive loop trail walk. 

The park boasts over 2000 stone arches, including the world-renowned Delicate Arch, a favorite spot for gazing at the sunset, and the 306 foot long Landscape Arch, one of the longest arch formations in the world.

Kathy and the boys decide to take a rest at Double Arch before continuing our walk.  

This formation is know as the Pot Hole Arch.

Delicate Arch is a 52-foot (16 m) tall  freestanding natural arch. It is the most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on Utah license plates.  The Olympic Torch Relay for the 2002 Winter Olympics passed through the arch.

The boys have to climb everything and anything here in Sand Dune Arch.

Think we can balance three people on this rock?

I hope Ryan's Mother does not see this photo!

Jake trying his hand at rock climbing.  He found one of the cool places among the rocks.  The further you get to the inside of this crevice the cooler the temperature gets.  It was very hot during our walk.

That's right, Dave is on top of the rock with Ryan.  I honestly do not know what goes through his mind sometimes.  Now, get off the rock!

Now Dave gets both the boys in action.  I thought this area was for kids only!

Landscape Arch at 306 feet long.  On September 1, 1991, a 73-foot slab of rock fell out from underneath the thinnest section of the span. This was captured on video by a Swiss tourist who happened to be behind the arch at the time. On the sound track of the video, another hiker can be heard saying "I don't think I want to walk back under there!"

Jake decided to complete the Junior Ranger Program here at the park.  Here we are at his swearing in ceremony.  He and Ryan completed four Junior Ranger programs last year during our vacation.