It was June 3, 2012. My girlfriend and I were visiting Arches and had the RV camped nearby. On a day trip to see and walk up to the Delicate Arch…. my first time. Alas, when we got to the parking lot we discovered we had only ‘two’ bottles of water! She’s not much of a hiker and preferred to do a crossword puzzle in the 100* car… not running… no AC! I laced up my hiking shoes and headed up the escarpment, anxious for the adventure, like they say, “it’s all uphill from here”! About halfway up three “just returned veterans” from Iraq and Iran (all medics) started to pass me up. They’re half my age and twice and strong….. “but I’m going with them!!” The first 2/3’s of the trail we chatted and shared stories, but then they picked up the pace and left the old 65 y.o. behind. I caught up with them as the four of us had to go single-fill along the last portion of the trail before it directed us around the last corner….. and there it was, 'the Delicate Arch’. I’ll never forget that moment, one of them turned to me and asked, “you were in the service weren’t you?” I answered that I was in Vietnam in 1970. Tears welled up in my eyes as we all hugged. I took their picture, they took mine, and then I just sat down for an hour to enjoy one of our nations most prized possessions. The Delicate Arch? No, our veterans!
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
“Every National Park and Monuments have their Historical Story, I too have my own personal story to go with each one. I am proud of each 'park/date stamp' that is placed in my "Passport" book..... and the story and memory that goes with it. ”
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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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