But Lynne and Kit and Addy and Gabe and Terisa got up at 4:30 for an early start for Delicate Arch. Turns out we were all all awake anyway because the power turned off at about 4:00. It was dark when we left Red Cliffs, but we didn't need our headlamps for the hike. It was chilly for the first 7 steps. Then it was warm.
The crepuscular light made the hike different from any other time I've been.
It was almost magical.
Sure enough, the change in light changed the appearance of the arch and all of the surrounding formations.
Proof that we made it.
Lynne and Kit and Addy got a nice couple to take their picture under the arch.
We got an old-fashioned selfie to go in our parks collection.
The light kept changing.
We felt lucky to have the arch almost to ourselves. Maybe a dozen other people were there, and there was room enough and time enough for everyone to get all of the pictures they wanted.
We went down--past several hundred upward hikers--and met the 7 am group at the petroglyphs by Wolfe Ranch. The parking lot was full and three tour buses had disgorged.
This was the line at the bathroom when we got there at about 8.
We went back to the resort and found the Virginia Gabes in the pool.
The pool was cool, but the hot tub was cooler. Still no power, so they couldn't bubble up the hot tub.
We had lunch,
and visits,
and snow cones,
and snakes and lizards.
In the evening we went over to the main building for the official 75th birthday meal. We had a great room all to ourselves.
Grandpa and Addy shared a lemonade.
It is important to smack your lips and say, "aahhhh!" when you are done.
Addy mooched frosting from Grandma's cupcake.
When the movie came on, the Lion King chant inspired Paul to reenact the opening scenes.
On Sunday, we got up got packed, made some meals and got ready for church.
We ended up attending a most welcoming branch in Castle Valley. The kids were very good in the meeting, but we still accounted for a quarter of the congregation and 80% of the noise! All of the members said they were glad to hear kids' voices again. We picked up a realty magazine to see if we could afford property in Castle Valley. Not really.
After church, PBGAC & D headed out for I-70 and Denver. Lynne and Kit got the last tickets to the Fiery Furnace hike at 4 pm, but since 5 years old and under couldn't go, Grm and Grp explored more of the Park with Miss Addy. Turns out she is not that keen on feeling sand in her toes. But she was content to hike with us.
Near sunset, we thought we'd go out to the lower overlook for Delicate Arch to see if the evening crepuscular light was different. You can't really make it out in this picture, but every surface we could see around the arch was covered with people waiting for the sun to go down. Must have been hundreds. I'll bet an enterprising lemonade stand could make a killing up there.
It confirmed for us that any hikes where we want solitude will be early morning. As of this writing, all families have made it safe and sound back home. It was so great to have every one here for a few days. We love that everyone is making good lives for themselves in interesting and different places. I think that just makes a week like this one all the more special.
And it was special.
Looks and sounds like an awesome trip!
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