It's Sunday, so barn day, right?

 I have long enjoyed Tom's barns on each Sunday morning.

1 (Ignacio - Oxford CO)

So when I was traveling in the western part of Colorado, and the eastern part of Utah, going through many agricultural areas, I captured a few barns that are quite different from those Tom sees in New York state.

2 (Ignacio - Oxford CO)

Sorry that they aren't quite as "artistic" as Tom's, and many were taken through windows as we sped along the highways.

3 (Durango, CO)

4 (Delores CO)

5 (Lewis)

6 (Yellow Jacket)

The places are what my iPhone identified them as being...I had no idea! And thankfully I didn't drive anywhere the whole time I visited!

I'll be sharing this post with Tom's Barns on Sunday! Thanks Tom!

Today's quote:

Take your good fortune and lift your life to its highest calling. Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility.  Oprah Winfrey

Wild flowers and campground photos

 All of these are from Arches National Park in Moab UT.

Indian Paintbrushes (I think)

Milk Vetch

(Can't remember...looks like the daisy family)

The parking at Devil's Garden was totally taken. But since I'd already found my limit of about 20 yards to walk, we didn't try to stop. But we did drive into the campground, where it said there were no spots open as we entered. But we did see a couple available (not that we wanted one then) and noted that the reservation system might offer some drop ins. My son and his wife like camping in areas where they can hike into wilderness, so they noted a few sites that they liked.

Most of the sites had picnic tables, and paved pads in case you had an RV. Some of the occupied sites also had tents, which is the way my family would be camping. I do hope they return to enjoy this area and get to hike it also!

A second shot from the campsite above.

Sharing with Floral Friday Fotos

and Skywatch Friday

Today's quote:

There is no greatness where there is not simplicity, goodness, and truth. 

-Leo Tolstoy, novelist and philosopher (1828-1910)

The amazing arches

 How about some of the arches for which this national park in Utah is named?

I'm guessing that's Elephant Arch on the far left, while the small one with a pointing pillar next to it is almost behind the hill. The line of humped rocks in the middle is called the Elephant Walk.

And another arch appears, while the small one with the pointing pilar next to it now looks much bigger.

I think these are called the windows, one North, and one South. 

look closely to the left, photo not enhanced. 

And a cropped version with more color. This might be Turret Arch (the map doesn't clarify it very well)

There are 2 arches visible...not enhanced photo, probably the Double Arch

Kendra and I looked for wildflowers and finally found a few. Here the La Sal Mountains are behind her.

Kendra and I actually walked into this canyon, before my breathing gave out. We took a selfie and talked about the Juniper berries (gin anyone?)  Tai stayed in the car because he couldn't find a legal parking place. 

We stopped early for lunch and were grateful to get the best shady table.

We all walked around a bit near the picnic site. I named the balanced rock in the background, Snoopy, since the head seems to have a similar profile, at least from one angle.

Today's quote:

Praying. It doesn’t have to be the blue iris, it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few small stones; just pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak.

Mary Oliver

A glimpse of Arches National Park

 

As I mentioned earlier, we followed the directions and called to purchase our tickets at 7 pm the night before we wished to visit. So we arrived a few minutes before our 11:00 am ticket, and got in the line. There were a half dozen cars parked at the entrance sign which probably didn't have the foresight to call or their tickets were for later in the day.  Our line to the entrance gate was about 15 minutes long. 

Going up the side of this cliff to a gap between all those rocks, was the winding entrance to the park.

Court House Rock was our first pull-off to see.

Court House Rock on the right, with Three Gossips showing their heads to the left.

Kendra and I really liked the 3 women called gossips!

And as we left, we took yet another photo from the other side of the Three Gossips!

A sign describes a fallen arch, between  Sheep Rock on the right and Baby Arch on the left.

There were many features of rocks and quite a few arches.

Incidentally, we saw this (my first!) arch on the way, in Monticello UT. If you look closely you'll see a person standing under the arch!

Today's Quote:

When we recognize our warrior self, we can exhibit strength without sacrificing tenderness.

Hope your Earth Day is full of joyous consideration of the healing of the earth.

Let's go to Monument Valley the scenic way!

We started over on the far right in CO, about where Hwy 41/162 goes off Hwy 160 going west through Utah and into Monument Valley.  What a beautiful ride. McElmo River gorge continued along much of the highway.

It was late afternoon, and driving west meant the passenger (myself) had great views with bright sun and few shadows.

My son told me of a recent camping trip while rafting down the San Juan River in this area.  He and Kendra had also gone back packing camping in Canyon of the Ancients nearby.  This territory is becoming familiar to him, but he'd never been as far as Monument Valley, where so many movies have been filmed.