In 1965, as part of a summer visiting parks, we were at Arches, then only a National Monument, and Canyonlands which had been designated a Park the previous year. We camped and the first full day joined a ranger hike, walking at the rear with another ranger for company. We chatted as we walked when not listening to the lead rangers descriptions. We enjoyed the conversation enough to invite the (summer) ranger for supper. His name was Ed Abbey and he did not have a lot to say and my sense was that he must be doing accounting because he did not seem particularly nature oriented.
He did come for supper the next night and it was a good evening of conversation. Another day we got together and did some crazy things like riding the rushing water through highway culverts. And then he invited us to hike Mt. Tukuhnikivatz. The would-be hikers were all under 30 and that seemed like a great idea. So the next day Ed drove us to the mountain and we hiked up, finally reaching the snow at the top. (It must have been a cooler summer) We then “sledded” down the upper part of the mountain using flat stones that were everywhere.
While at Arches, we explored Canyonlands where we took the picture of our group on what must be one of the smallest natural bridges. We also drove down the Shafer trail, praying there would be another way out, without having to drive back up the narrow trail.
51 years later I have no memory of how we discovered that Ed Abbey when we met him was finishing “Desert Solitaire”, a book of the southwest about to be published, that would endear him to so many. Of course my favorite chapter was of hiking Mt. Tukuhnikivatz.
In August, 2016, I was planning to return to Arches to celebrate the Parks, but my friend broke her hip and we spent the month in LA getting used to a new one. Someday, I shall return.
Sincerely,
Arches National Park
With more than 2,000 natural stone arches, this landmark park offers more of these distinctive rock formations than anywhere else in the world. Wind and water, extreme temperatures, and a shifting underground salt bed sculpted the red rock over time into the area's spectacular and often delicate shapes. These arches can be large and impressive like the famous Delicate Arch, or just slivers in the sandstone.
State(s): Utah
Established: 1929
“of so many happy visits over the years.”
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Greetings from Arches National Park
My parents were eager to get me and my brother out of the house and visit some national parks. We woke up early one Sunday morning and headed to Moab, Utah. My older brother sat contentedly staring out of the window, watching the scenery change while I sat bored until…
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Greetings from Arches National Park
My girlfriend and I woke up in Southern California and at 5AM she asked me “Zion or Arches”? We had two friends (another queer couple) in Arches so headed there on a whim where our chosen family met us with an already set-up tent, dinner, and cold drinks. I love…
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Greetings from Arches National Park
My partner Keith and I in Spring 2009. I lived in CO for 10 years and have explored all over the west. I really enjoyed showing him some of my favorite spots.
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