Day 10: Arches to Salt Lake City

As great as Billy's 40th birthday celebration was, the campsite left a bit to be desired. Like not being overrun by tiny gnat-like bugs everywhere. And not waking up to find the base of our tent covered in ants (outside only, thank God!) And we made the rookie mistake of camping in a warm, dry place by not placing our rain fly on the tent for insulation nor dressing appropriately for the falling overnight temperature. Who knew 60 in the desert could feel so cold?! So, it wasn't our best night's sleep on the trip (and, Mary awoke 3 times between 11 and 6.) Oh well! Lessons learned. 

None of those little annoyances mattered because we were heading south to Arches, one of my favorite places on earth. 

Balanced Rock

Delicate Arch

It was warm, and with a bunch of tired kids, we opted to take the easier paths to view Delicate Arch, as opposed to the 3-mike roundtrip hike. It's such a gorgeous park that I can't wait to visit again soon!

Here's a portrait of Jim and the kids by the Delicate Arch viewpoint. 

You don't see Mary, you say? Note the pink shoe hanging down by Jim's left hand.

After her late and brief night's sleep, she was a bit tired...

Okay, REALLY tired!

Even though she's technically in the picture, I'm betting we won't use this one for the Christmas card this year. 

Liam calls this one Jabba the Hut

Cousins!

Danny and his golden locks 

I heart rock cairns

  

Billy and Marta

Goodbye for now, Arches. See you again!

Fun fact: yesterday we drove 321.4 miles. Today we drove 322.

After picnicking at The Devil's Campground, we headed north toward Salt Lake City, stopping in Orem, Utah to attend 5:30 mass at St. Francis of Assisi, a lovely parish that had mass at the perfect time for us to stop while passing through. We arrived at 5:29. It was awesome last-minute logistical planning/luck/divine intervention. 

We ordered dinner from Big Daddy's Pizza, had it deivered to the hotel, and it arrived shortly after we checked in and unloaded the bags. Perfect!

Next stop: Yellowstone via the Grand Tetons and Idaho!