Desert Arches, or Sipping on Haterade

This isn’t really theatre related. Except it kind of is. Because everyone needs a vacation. And I’m finally on my vacation now. Which means my blog in on vacation, too. Instead of not writing anything while I take some time off, I thought I’d share parts of my trip (the parts where wireless internet is easily accessible, to be exact).  So, coming at you from the Super 8 in Moab, Utah…

The Photographer and I drove down today from his parents’ house outside Salt Lake City, about four hours…four long, hot hours.  But we made it here…and after I took a wee nap, we checked out Arches National Park. Nothing like a good long hike in the desert to stretch your legs…

I met this lizard on the first part of our hike up to Delicate Arch (3 miles roundtrip, much of it over rock face and all of it without shade…take LOTS of water…LOTS…and Gatorade, aka Haterade, for electrolyte replacements. Seriously, drink…or die. You know, whichever). Anyway, the lizard, we’ll call him Rick, was very patient while I took his photo.

And here is my picture of Delicate Arch. In fact, all of these pictures are mine. Because SOMEONE forgot the USB cable necessary to upload his. Silly, silly boy.  And this makes me sad because there is an awesome picture of me in the middle of the Arch jumping…but you, like me, are going to have to wait.

But here’s proof that he did actually take pictures…check out the mountains in the background. Amazing views…

And here it is from another angle. Pardon the smudges, my camera lens has some scratches. It was amazing how much the shape of things changed just based on where you were in relation. I mean, obviously they change, but it was amazing how much.

These are the windows. North and South, respectively. That boulder between them sticks out really far and you actually can’t see one from the other when you’re up close.

DEAD DESERT TREE! Twisted…

This lovely landmark is called Balanced Rock. Can you figure out why? Apparently what forms all of these things is the erosion of certain layers or types of rock at a greater rate than others. Nature is neat.

Balanced Rock in its surroundings. It’s amazing how much open space there is here in particular and in Utah in general. For a city girl, it’s an interesting change to look around and see nothing for miles but rocks and trees and whatnot. I like it. But let’s be clear, I would straight up lose my mind living out in the wilderness…

And finally…

The only picture of me on my camera. I look a bit, um, wonky? It is, after all, a shadow. So it’s a picture of me taking a picture of my shadow while The Photographer takes a picture of me taking a picture of my shadow. NOT NERDY AT ALL.

So the vacation is lots of fun so far. And this is the first time I’ve been to the desert. It isn’t quite how I expected, but Moab is pretty awesome. On the agenda for tomorrow: river rafting. Apparently we won’t see too much white water on the trip we’re doing. But we did decide not to be princesses and to opt for the boat that will require us to paddle. Sadly there will be no pictures for the blog because digital cameras and water really do not mix.

I hope all of you at home in internet-land are well and having fun. And while I’m enjoying exploring new places here, what is your favourite place to visit? Or where would you like to go?

I have a list as long as my arm…