Day 3: Arches Nat'l Park; Glenwood Springs, CO

We didn't accrue too many miles today, but we did see some beautiful red rocks. We spent the better part of the day at Arches National Park, right next door to Moab, Utah. I'm sure you've seen the photos. It's just like in the postcards and movies. Arches, turrets, towers, and all manner of rock formations in stark red sandstone. Gorgeous! I went for a 5 mile hike. The trail sometimes disappears and you are left to scamper up and down red rock faces, with the "path" marked only by little piles of stones. I met a lot of other travelers on the trail - people from all over America, as well as all over the world - Czechs, Dutch, Swedes, French, Italians, Spanish, Germans, Austrians, Koreans, Japanese, Alaskans! This is a slice of the classic American family vacation, the classic American roadtrip. It warms the heart to see people of all different backgrounds (from red-staters to blue-staters) all here for the same reason: to just enjoy the amazing fruits of mother nature.

Be sure to check out my pictures of Arches.

After the park we followed the Colorado River through a dramatic gorge for about an hour, then rejoined the interstate and made our way to Glenwood Springs, Colorado. This charming town is home to the largest outdoor mineral hot springs pool in the world (it is two blocks long).