Dream Trip 2008: June

Great Travel Moment

The Colorado Plateau has some of the most astonishing scenery I've ever seen, all sculpted by water and wind - arches, canyons, monoliths. I'm always in awe when I see them. On a recent trip to Arches National Park, it was an even bigger thrill. We hiked to Double Arch and the trail is flat up to the base of the arches. It then becomes an almost vertical rock wall. Amazing to look at, but as I'm terrified of climbing steep rocks, I was ready to stop there. But my husband spurred me on, and up I went, clawing my way for dear life, legs almost refusing to move. Before I knew it, I was right underneath the arch, red rock soaring against the sky, all else tiny in the distance. And though I didn't make it to the highest point, it felt like the top of the world to me.