Road Trip October 2010 (Part 2)

 

I-70 winding through a pass in Utah

Continuing from yesterday’s post

After leaving Zion I spent another night in St. George and the next morning I drove out eastward to the other side of Utah. This took most of the day but the route along I-15 and I-70 was beautiful, as it passes through broad, flat valleys flanked by mountains miles off to each side.

Sunset at the Spectacles

I arrived in Moab, the town on the edge of Arches National Park, late that afternoon. With some color film loaded in my Minolta Autocord I went up to the formation known as the Spectacles to watch the sunset. I know this site focuses on monochrome, but the red color of the rocks demands an exception. The size of these arches is not apparent until you start walking towards them and see tiny people walking around beneath them.

One of the Spectacles arches

If I thought I wouldn’t get a ticket and hadn’t already paid for a room with a nice hot shower, I could’ve slept under the stars up there. The sky was very clear, the air was cool, and coyotes howled in the distance. Nearby some digital photgraphers were imaging star trails with long exposures.

 

The fantasy landscape of Arches National Park

The next day I drove around the park like a complete tourist and shot photos of the various marvels. Back near the Spectacles there was another formation of arches in an amazing 3D arrangement that looked like something from an art school. Of course, it is huge, as you can see from the people in the photo.

I spent the whole day driving around, getting out, walking and taking pictures. The rest of these photos are scans of black and white prints I made. Not much to say except that I can’t wait to go back some day.

The Garden of Eden formation
Delicate Arch. Note the tiny dots (people) left of the arch.

 

Balanced Rock
Balanced Rock from a different angle

Hope you enjoy looking at these, and check back soon!