May 6, 2021

Moab was named for a city in the Bible. It was incorporated in 1902 and was originally an agricultural community. Subsequently, uranium, vanadium, potash, manganese, oil, and gas have been mined there. More recently, it has been the setting for film making. Today its 5000 residents also rely heavily on a tourism economy.

Arches National Park

Arches is a treasury of geologic formations including over 2000 stone arches as well as pinnacles, fins and balanced rocks.

We liked how the morning sun lit this rock face.
This rock seemed to be rising out of the earth.
The delicate-seeming fin on the right contrasts with the massivness of the rock on the left.
The Three Gossips
Material from different geologic eras makes up this fin.
Sheep Rock
This rock looks like an eagle to us.
Could this be a giant fudgsicle?
Balanced rock in front of the sun
Balanced rock with sunlight on it
This is likely a juniper skeleton.
The snow-capped La Sal Mountains rise above the features of Arches.
Turret Arch
Dave took a different kind of selfie.
Looking through North Window
The underside of North Window
Dave under North Window
Double Arch
Double Arch
Six members of the Wolfe family lived in this cabin in 1906 as they managed their herd of 1000 cattle.
The Fiery Furnace
Sand Dune Arch
Jane and Dave under Sand Dune Arch
Fins near Sand Dune Arch
Skyline Arch
The weathering process created an interesting ledge.

Rock Art

We visited a rock art site south of Moab. The figures here are very different from those we saw at the Potash site a few days ago.

Dead Horse Point State Park

This park is adjacent to Canyonlands National Park.

These two formations on the way to the park are thought to resemble the Monitor and the Merrimac.
Evaporation ponds used in potash mining
The Colorado River winds through the valley below the park.
Claret Cup cactus
Categories: Travel

3 Comments

Jay Waters · May 8, 2021 at 9:40 am

It’s amazing country. Especially for someone like me who grew up in the cornfields. Take your time and enjoy. Stay safe, stay well!

Susan · May 8, 2021 at 12:59 pm

Another set of beautiful pictures. This is really beautiful country. Many photographers used to take night photos thru the arches or Milky Way shots or star trails but they are banning that activity as some feel artificial light will hinder the rocks but in one of your pictures I see someone tried to write their name under a hieroglyph. This behavior is just so infuriating to me. Why can’t people be civil and courteous to all the landscape and especially the wildlife. I wish they could catch everyone that defaces property like this and they would receive a huge fine. Oh and I would love to move to that cabin. Nice and remote except for the tourists.

Laura · May 10, 2021 at 4:07 pm

Sand Dune Arches…your first picture looked like an old man kissing a dog/ wolf or some such. Again, more spectacular sights! Enjoy the ride!

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