Arches National Park

 September 2021 Road trip with Minal

Day 5:

Tuesday September 7th:

Again it was us sisters waking up before the universe on Tuesday morning. When we left the hotel at 5:30 am it was dark outside. We drove through the entire winding road inside the Arches National Park right where it ends into the parking area of the trail to The Devil’s Garden. Minal was driving while I was enjoying the starry skies. She was going to do the entire 8 miles hike at the Devil’s Garden which would take her 3 hours. I was given the option to drive back to any location in the park to get a good view of the sunrise. I was uncomfortable letting her hike alone in the darkness. I set out walking with her until it was daylight. From there we split our paths.

She walked ahead while I took the fork towards the Tunnel Arch. It was a disappointing walk. There was going to be no sunrise view from there. I returned to the main trail and continued to walk to Landscape Arch. The plains near this arch allowed a good view of the eastern horizon. I awaited the golden moment patiently while feeling the fresh air and quietude of the surroundings. Witnessed the beautiful sunrise from the spot. Took a lot of pictures. 

Met an older couple, probably in their 70s, near the Landscape arch. Had seen them a few minutes earlier walk ahead past the arch as I was waiting for the sunrise. On their way back we exchanged hellos. I offered to take their picture with the Landscape Arch in the background. Then we started walking back towards to parking . I stayed ahead of them and didn’t realize when they took a diversion on a side trail. 

As the road curved I saw 4-5 deer in the bushes to the left of me. I stopped and pulled out my camera. The herd stopped there, stared at me and then crosses the road over to the hillside on the right. The sight of them made my day. 

I walked towards the entrance of the trail and sat on a rock waiting for Minal. The couple I had met earlier came by in a few minutes. They asked if I had turned to see the Pine Arch on my way. I said no. They said it was worth a visit. I decided to walk back and see it. And true to their word it was indeed a beautiful arch and location. If I had known before I could have had an even more gorgeous view of the sunrise from there. Yet just to see the arch was lovely. Another visitor kindly offered to take my pictures near this arch. I reciprocated her favor. 

I returned to the exit and again waited for Minal to return from her hike. She was back by 8:30 am. By then the visitor crowd had increased though nothing like it usually gets. We drove to our hotel. Took shower.Toasted the bagel in the lobby and put cream cheese, this time topping it with scrambled eggs and the homemade chutney. Then packed food into the cooler with rest of our stuff and put it into the car. By 10:30 am we hit the road.

This time we took the scenic State Highway 128 that connects Moab to Interstate 70 near Grand Junction Colorado. It runs along the Colorado river and has some truly amazing scenery with changing landscapes after every few turns around the mountains. The sand changes from red in the initial part of the drive to white in the later stretch . This drive is also highly recommended.

Once on I-70 we picked up speed. Everyone was getting hungry. With four of us debating where to take the lunch break finally we settled on waiting till Vail. It was my brother in law’s birthday that day. Treated him to a nice lunch in an elegant Italian restaurant in Vail town. The flourless chocolate cake we shared amongst the four of us was to die for. 

After lunch strolled on the streets of Vail admiring the beautiful flowers everywhere as well as some remarkable art galleries. Soon we were on I-70 again heading to Minal’s home in Breckenridge Colorado about an hour’s drive from Vail. 

Got the food out of the cooler into the fridge. Put the clothes from last 4 days into the laundry( you know who did this chore 😉) and just chilled for rest of the evening. The lunch was late. I skipped dinner and went to bed early.

The orange Garden Vareli saree gets the Oscar for the most flaunted saree at exotic locations in 2021😃