On Sunday, Oct. 20th we got up early a explored the Trail of the Ancients a park on the edge of Blanding, Utah. The first thing we discovered, however, was that the mountains just North of Blanding had received a covering of snow the night before and the temperature was only 35 degrees.
After that Mom and Dad left me home to take a nap and they drove 45 miles to Natural Bridges National Monument, where they planned to do some hiking.
On the way there they drove through "the Big Cut" a 300-foot high cut through the mountains on Utah Route 95.
Unfortunately, it was very windy and cold when they arrived at the park. The natural bridges were beautiful but required hiking down steep, narrow canyon ledges to get close and my human parents decided to forego the first two because it was too dangerous with the velocity of the wind.
The first and biggest natural bridge is named the Sipapu Bridge. This natural bridge is 220 feet high and 268 feet wide.
The second and youngest Natural Bridge is named the Katchina Bridge. This bridge is 210 feet high and 204 feet wide, with quite a bit of vegetation growing in and around it.
The third and oldest Natural Bridge is named Owachomo Bridge. This one was much closer to the road and required far less dangerous hiking to get up close to take photographs. The span of this bridge is 180 feet and the height is 106 feet.
A river runs through it during the spring run-off.
Dad got a couple of rare pictures of Mom as they hiked down into the canyon. Notice the winter clothing, it was very cold and windy down there.
The vegetation has to find nourishment wherever it can and does whatever it has to do to survive in such a harsh environment. This tree is growing out of the side of a steep sandstone cliff and has stretched itself in an unusual way in order to be able to reach the sunlight and the rain. It's amazing what nature can do to perpetuate itself.
On Monday, Oct. 21st we went back to the Trail of the Ancients again to explore the rest of the park. This is a unique area that has hiking trails, cliff dwellings, a natural bridge, a prayer Arch and several recreated displays depicting pioneer life and the indigenous peoples who inhabited the area before white people settled here and imposed their will on everyone else.
A small cliff dwelling large enough for a couple of families.
A Natural Bridge about 80 feet high and 130 feet wide.
The Prayer Arch, that is still in use today by local Indians.
Tomorrow we are planning to explore "Newspaper Rock", "Wilson Arch" and "The Needles", all near Monticello, Utah😃.
"A River Runs Through It"
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