Arches and Quesadillas in Moab, UT (June 14th, 2015)

Sunday morning was early, since we wanted to beat the crowds to Arches National Park. The lines at the gate to get into the park can be very long, and parking at the main attractions is limited, so we were on the road by 6:00 am. Entry into the park went very smoothly, and parking was also a breeze. We were probably the 20th car to park in the lot for the Delicate Arch hike. 

In the area around Moab, there are many interesting rock formations such as arches, bridges, pillars and mushroom-shaped pedestal rocks. It is thought that all of these are formed when some of the sandstone rock is strengthened by pressure or other natural forces, and then over time, the surrounding loose soil and rock is eroded away. 

Rock pillars with a few small mushrooms

A lightening strike in the sandstone rock.  The lightening hardens veins in the rock which then erodes at a different rate. 

Petrified sandstone dunes

The hike to delicate arch is about a 1 ½ mile climb, some of it is rather steep, and much of it is on petrified dunes. Toward the end of the hike, you will be walking on a rock ledge about 200 feet above the valley floor below. The ledge is about 3 feet wide, so it is easy to avoid looking over the edge, if you prefer not to. This hike is not too strenuous, but if you are not used to the altitude, or not typically active, this may be a difficult hike for you. Temperatures in Utah get very hot in the summer, so carry lots of water with you. If you fill a Camelback water pack and put it in the refrigerator overnight, it will keep you cool for quite a while on a hot hike, and provides your water as well. 

The ledge, but not too bad since it's pretty wide

All of us at Delicate arch

The kids standing under Delicate Arch

Here we are under the arch.  It's huge!

After our hike, we took our time getting back out of Arches National Park, stopping along the way to see some of the sights we missed on the way in. We headed back to the rental to shower, pack up and get checked out, and then we were off to lunch. 

Multiple arches and snow capped mountains.  Gorgeous!

The number one rated restaurant in Moab according to Trip Advisor is a food truck called Quesadilla Mobilla. It is parked on the West side of the highway, at about 100 North (I can’t remember exactly, but it is bright colored, so you can’t miss it). All they serve is quesadilla’s, but they have a fun variety to choose from. All of the seating is outdoors, of course, but there are several tables and lots of shade, so it is very pleasant. 

My quesadilla was the Enchanted Chicken (chicken and green chili), our daughter had the Sweet and Spicy (vegetarian), our son-in-law had the Southern Belle (shredded beef and vegies) and Steve had the Fiery Fungus (shredded beef, jalapenos and mushrooms). They were all very good, and very filling. 

Unfortunately, after lunch, it was time to head back toward Denver, but we are always amazed at how much fun we can cram into a weekend.