Gasping for breath

A graceful 220 foot sandstone arch leaps from the field of smooth, river-worn boulders.  Heading for the foot of the arch, we weave between boulders, pick our way down rough hewn log ladders, and cross rock faces (occasionally with the aide of pipe handrails).  The scent of juniper hangs in the air amid sun warmed rocks.  The silence is interrupted only by the babble of the stream on the canyon floor and the birds that call this oasis home.

We soak it in for a while.

Ok, time to head back up.  Switchbacks, ladders, boulders, and rock steps.  Rest breaks on trailside boulders are all that can ease my all but constant gasping for air.  It’s only a half mile trail and just 500 foot change in elevation.  What’s the problem?

Oh yeah.  We just spent 5 months at 15 feet above sea level on the Texas coast and now we are 6,500 feet.  Wow, what a difference that makes!

The drive in Natural Bridges National Monument takes you to three of these magnificent bridges and views of spectacular canyon walls.  There are ancient cliff dwelling ruins too.  We skipped the canyon floor trail but it looks like something to do next time.

Takes my breath away

At Muley Point high atop the vertical cliffs marking the edge of Cedar Mesa is another grand view from the uplifted Colorado Plateau.  From our vantage point, braced against highly gusty winds, the mesas, river cuts, and odd tone spires spread out for miles.  Snow capped mountains dotted the horizon.  Magnificent.

There are boon docking sites out on this point.  What a view this would be to wake up to.  Maybe anther time, when the winds are a little calmer.

Holding my breath

Down the cliff face @ 11% for 3 miles on gravel switchbacks that seem to literally stack on top of one another.  Amazing.  A bit nerve racking but Kent’s had a bit of practice at this sort of thing.  The road was originally built to move uranium ore down off the mesa to processing mills.  I can’t imagine sharing this road with a stream of dump trucks!