Camping with Friends in Arches NP

What a trip!  The first leg, driving to Grand Junction was painfully punctuated with John’s maladies.  His throat was scratchy, his head hurt, he had a tummy ache.  A last-minute trip to the pediatrician had confirmed it was just a cold, but John was convinced he was dying. 

After a rough night in the hotel (which included John sleep walking out into the hotel hallway for an undetermined amount of time) we were off for the last 1.5 hour stretch.  Utah or bust was our chant:-)


We were rewarded with this campsite inside the park (Canyon Wren group site in the Devil’s Garden campground).  


We walked from the site for an evening hike to Landscape Arch.  We arrived just after dark.

The Arch looks great, but not the kids.  

Kids looking great, but where’s the Arch?

The next morning, we hiked to Delicate Arch!

The whole crew (4 families:  8 adults & 10 kids)

We returned to camp for lunch and shelter in the shade before setting out for an after dinner hike to Broken Arch. This cool tree was along the way. 

Kenny was having some attitude issues and lagging behind😫

Broken Arch as the evening sky lit up with colors.

Jacob—full of adventure and energy!

Half of the kids bouldering before bed.

The kids let their imaginations run wild and within one hour of setting up camp had set up a “mining operation”.

We were wishing for one more night!  But Sunday morning meant shaking out sand and packing up camp.  We stopped at the North & South Windows and Turret Arch on our way out of the park.  

What a fabulous weekend!  I wouldn’t change a thing (other than John’s cold;-)