It was a treat to travel out west to kick off the fall hiking season, and to enjoy guided hikes in both Arches and Canyonlands, two national parks in Utah. The sun is hot, and the terrain is a bit different from what one is used to here on the East Coast.
Arches has over 2,000 stone arches, according to the National Park Service. On our group's first day there, we encountered just a few of the stone structures, including the iconic Delicate Arch. Climbing almost 500 feet high, up mostly a rock face, one is treated to the breathtaking view of Delicate Arch at the turn of a corner.
Surprisingly, there was only a small crowd, and a short line to have your picture taken under the arch's 46-feet high opening. A pilot reservation system was implemented this summer, and according to our guide, it appears to be working to control the crowds.
Some easier walks in Arches include the Sand Dune Arch trail, a trek through red sand, with the chance to enjoy lunch in the cool shade, and with children abound, safely enjoying the rock mazes and arches in a beach-like setting. Park Avenue is another walk with canyon walls that "reminded early visitors of buildings lining a big city street."
Klondike Bluffs, also in Arches, is more remote, lying on the northwestern part of the park. This hike includes walking on slickrock and slogging your way through sand in your hiking boots. The payoff, though, is Tower Arch, where our group enjoyed a shaded picnic lunch.
In Canyonlands National Park, add the Island in the Sky mesa to your agenda. There is a gradual climb from the trailhead across a field, and then you will navigate slickrock before reaching spectacular canyon views along the Lathrop Trail. The mesa, according to the National Park Service, "rests on sheer sandstone cliffs over 1,000 feet above the surrounding terrain."
Another bit of advice: beware of what you may grab when you are scrambling up a wall of rocks. In my case, a cactus on its side that still had its spikes stuck me on a hike on the Grandstaff Canyon Trail outside Moab. The needles were short, but stuck well into and between the pinky and ring finger. Thank goodness for a first aid kit that included tweezers!
We learned our guide, Jeff Gutierrez, also has his own business called Natural Resonance, which provides a hiking experience that includes an acoustic music performance, where notes bounce off and echo through red rock canyons. Hikes take place on BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and state lands in the Moab area.
According to the website, "Natural Resonance connects people with nature through extraordinary musical experiences. Outdoor musical performances, midway through a stunning hiking tour, turn a red rock desert canyon into an unforgettable concert hall with unmatched scenery and acoustics."
Tips to know as you plan your trip:
Bring sunscreen! Don't miss your lips and ears as that desert sun is hot and will burn.
Bring at least three liters of water with you on each hike.
Eat at 98 Center in Moab, an Asian fusion restaurant popular with the locals. And the smell of garlic lured us into Pasta Jays; we were not disappointed with our meals.
Pick up a copy of Edward Abbey's Desert Solitaire, in which he recounts his time as a ranger at Arches National Park, at Back of Beyond Books on Main Street in Moab.
Wherever your hiking travels take you, make sure someone knows where you will be before you head out.
Happy trails!
]]>Looking for one last vacation to round out your summer? Consider a trip to Maine, or as it's also known, Vacationland, like we did. Following is a look at what we did on a trip earlier this month when we stayed in Camden.
Sail on the Schooner Appledore II — Mosey on over to 18 Bayview Landing to board the Appledore II for a two-hour day sail, or one at sunset. Private charters are available, too. There is a cash bar on board, or you can bring your own snacks.
"Apppledore II has sailed around the world, and now the beautiful Penobscot Bay," Mike Clougherty said. "Come join us for an authentic windjammer adventure. Come sail the rocky coast of Maine."
Learn more at https://appledore2.com.
Beech Hill Hiking — Rockport's Beech Hill Preserve includes a hike to the summit where you will be treated to a 360 degree view of mountains and the coast. There is also stone hut with a thatched roof that was constructed beginning in 1913 for the Gribbel family. According to a sign placed on the porch, "each of the building's stones was hauled to the site by horse, individually wrapped in burlap bags and set in place by hand."
We started our three mile out-and-back hike from a parking lot at West Street near the intersection with Cross Street.
Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens — Located in Boothbay, the mission of the gardens "is to inspire meaningful connections among people, plants, and nature through horticulture, education, and research." It is New England's largest botanical garden made up of 295 acres.
Here you will find five larger than life trolls living, not under bridges, but amongst the trees and flowers, and bees and butterflies, too. The Guardians of the Seeds — Rosvka, Lilja, Birk, Søren and Gro —each impart a message for visitors. As you head out to The Landing, you will spot "The Codfather." A quick respite overlooking the Back River, you might see an osprey dive for a fish. Enjoy hiking trails or chill in the Vayo Meditation Garden.
After a few hours strolling the gardens, head to Boothbay Harbor for lunch. We chose Fishermans Wharf Inn Restaurant, and had a spicy Bloody Mary with a burger and fries.
For more information on the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens, visit www.mainegardens.org.
The Lost Kitchen — It was a 40-minute drive from Camden to Freedom to see where Erin French creates inventive meals in the historic mill turned restaurant that only takes reservations through a postcard lottery. We became enamored of the owner chef and her all-female team watching the show of the same name on the Magnolia Network.
There were no sightings, but we grabbed an autographed cookbook and some other goodies from the gift shop.
Learn more at www.findthelostkitchen.com.
It may be a bit of a drive to get to Maine, but at least you won't have to deal with delays at the airport and lost luggage. It's a worthwhile road trip.
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