Utah and Idaho

I woke up in Moab, Utah around 5am to pack up most of my campsite so I could make it to Arches National Park for sunrise. I didn't make it quite in time but I was there close enough. There were few people in the park, mostly only professional photographers. I made it to the North and South arches then the Delicate Arch. I heard coyotes in the distance as I jogged to the first two arches. On my way to see the Delicate Arch from a viewpoint 1 mile out, I was completely alone and looked down to see what seemed to be a cat paw print. That light a fire under me and I sprinted the rest of the way back to the car. I drove a short way further in the park to hike about 1 mile to the better viewing area of the delicate arch. They titled it "moderate to strenuous." Well I don't know if it was the elevation or the hike which was entirely uphill but I was huffing and puffing and I think I'm pretty fit. I thought I'd never make it and considered turning around but there was a couple ahead of me that made me feel more secure so I kept on. It was worth it because suddenly I rounded a corner and there it was. There were a few other people there and I was able to get a shot of myself in front of it. It was spectacular. On the hike down I stared in disbelief of the people coming up - some wearing sandels, most without water, some who looked far from a strenuous hike fitness... It is the kind of hike that they would have to bring a helicopter in to get you. After that, I decided I needed to go get my tent and get on the road.
I spent much of the day in Utah which was completely desolate and my mind wandered about all the things that could happen to me if my car died. There weren't too many travelers and I drove from one canyon to the next. The day was pleasant and I stopped once at a viewing area to get some good pictures. It happened to be a spot where the plaque next to the reststop entitled that this was the area where the Wild Bunch and Butch Cassidy would hide from the law. I just imagined being stranded there alone for days, baking the sun. I was reliefed as I neared the outskirts of Salt Lake and saw civilization. Unfortunately, I'd finished my book on tape and had to return it to Cracker barrel and wouldn't be picking up another since I was nearing the end of Cracker barrel country. It rained the whole way through Salt Lake, and I never saw the lake. There was tons of construction as well. As soon as I hit the Idaho border though, the rain stopped.

This was possibly the hardest day of the trip for me. I'd already been in the car for almost 3 days alone and was feeling pretty unsure about all my decisions. Idaho continued on the desolation like Utah where I was in and out of cell reception. Around late afternoon, I realized I could probably press on to Glenns Ferry to camp for the evening. There were threatening clouds all day though and after hearing from my mother and aunt about the campers in Arkansas, I was slightly fearful. I made it there by evening. Glenns Ferry was a charming little town with a few shops and small restaurants - the campground was right near the enormous Snake River. The area was lovely and I waited out some sprinkling rain to set up camp. I slept well that night.

Most of the pics i posted are of Arches except two - one of Utah canyon and the other of the green hills in Idaho. I hope to download these all to Picasa and share them as well so you can see the unedited version of photos.