Day 35 - Moab

'Park Avenue'
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Today I visited Arches NP which is just outside Moab. It was really hot today so I made sure that I took lots of water with me. The main feature of Arches NP is, unsurprisingly, the stone arches formed from the red sandstone all around this area. The park is quite small but there were lots of walking trails that led to many different arches. Compared to other parks that I have visited in other states this one was not spectacular, but I think that this is because all of the scenery in Southern Utah is dramatically beautiful anyway so the park didn’t appear particularly different from driving around the local area. However, this is not to say that it was not worth visiting. My sentiments regarding the park may have been slightly clouded however by the fact that I was followed around for most of the day by a coachload of Chinese tourists. Apart from them the park was pretty empty, so I was a little annoyed that wherever I went, so they followed. I would have peace and quiet looking at a view for a couple of minutes before they would descend upon the same spot. It was quite strange that whatever route I took around the park, they would take the same one too! Eventually I managed to lose them, but this was only achieved by deciding to go on a 4 mile hike to an arch in the 38 degree heat, which they were not stupid enough to attempt! After spending about 4 hours looking and walking around the area I decided it was time to leave. I was pleased I did because as I was driving back to the park entrance there were dark ominous clouds in the distance and a lot of lightning. Then followed a massive thunderstorm which was pretty cool to watch but I was glad I was not still out on my walk then! Tomorrow I head to the last of Utah’s national parks that I will be visiting – Canyonlands, before heading onto Colorado on Tuesday for my last few days with Thelma.

Balanced Rock
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Distance travelled today – technically 0, but actually 56 miles around Arches NP.

Distance travelled today – technically 0, but actually 56 miles around Arches NP

Bearwatch – 0.