Hole in the Rock-NOT

While doing research on area attractions, I notice that there was a place called Hole in the Rock.  I pondered what a great opportunity it would be for our boys to visit the infamous Hole in the Rock that was made passable by undaunted pioneers who were called to move to the San Juan area.  So I was excited when the map showed it was only 5 miles south of Moab.  However, it turned out to not be the famous pioneer landmark, but a quirky little home that was literally a Hole in the Rock.  It is a total tourist trap and so NOT worth the price of the tour, but there were some fun sights outside.  Here is a little history and some photos. . .

"Travelers along U.S. Highway 191 in Southwestern Utah are amazed to discover this historic 5,000 square foot home which began taking shape almost a century ago by the Christensen family. What began as a small alcove for the young Christensen boys to sleep in at night grew into a man-made engineering marvel 20years in the making. A fireplace with a 65 foot chimney, 14 rooms arranged around huge pillars and a deep bathtub built into the rock delight visitors who visit this most unusual home in the dessert. Original furnishings, Albert's paintings, Gladys's doll collection and many of the tools used to create this home remind you of the past.


In a 12 year period Albert excavated 50,000 cubic feet of sandstone from the rock. During this time he completed his famous painting Sermon on the Mount and his sculpture of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the face of the rock above his home."

If you look closely at the photo above, you can see this very creepy looking stuffed donkey by the window.  Apparently this donkey was used to haul out the rock after the blasting.  And, yes, by the way, it is a creepy as it looks!!!

And here are some of the interesting things outside. . .



A cactus made entirely of bowling balls

 

A jeep covered in license plates

A golfer made out of golf clubs

A bull made out of old metal instruments

A cannibalistic truck



A "shooting star" made out of stars



A giantic gecko on the side of the cliff above the house

So, there is your grand tour of Hole n' the Rock, NOT Hole in the Rock.  Just thought I would clarify again so you don't make the same mistake we did. 

Roughing It--Old School

We camped while we did our hiking, albeit in a campground with showers and a small swimming pool.  Here are some highlights of our camping adventure. . .

Here we are having our fantastic foil dinners that we cooked over the coals in our fire pit.

And here is a picture through the tent window of us eating our dinner inside because the bees thought our food smelled really good too!!!

What is better while you are camping than making s'mores?  NOTHING!!!!  We had a fun time roughing it!!

Other Examples of God's Handiwork

Here are a few other formations that we saw throughout the park.  I would highly recommend you take a trip to Arches and experience this for yourself. . .

Pine Tree Arch

Double O Arch

Broken Arch

Balanced Rock

South Window



Double Arch



Utah's Idea of Park Avenue

There is a great place in the park called Park Avenue.  It is just a short, easy walk that takes you through an old river bed.  The walls of what used to be the river canyon are riddled with arches and spires. 

You can see that the river used to be huge that carved this gorge.

The trail leads to a great formation called the Courthouse Tower.  This was actually one on our cooler hikes because you are in shade most of the time.

To get back up to the beginning of the trail there are these fantastic stairs constructed out of natural stone.  Man did our calves feel it after we climed all those stairs.  Who knew Arches National Park had a natural Stairmaster?

Landscape Arch

At 290 feet long, Landscape arch is the largest natural rock span in the world.   The ranger stressed that this arch is extremely thin, and may not last another 10 years because chunks keep falling off the arch.  In the vistors center they have actual footage of when Wall Arch broke apart and fell to the ground.  It sounded like a huge cannon blast before it all crumbled.  Hopefully Landscape Arch will be around for our grandkids to see. 

In case you forgot,  all of this area used to be covered by water.  Then, the rivers started to carve the incredible arches and formations that are there now.  Here is a beautiful piece of a still standing tree that has been made to look like driftwood from the river that used to gush through this area.  This tree is right along the trail to Landscape Arch. 

Arches National Park

As you have noticed from previous posts, our family likes to hike.  This summer was no exception.  When the boys and I traveled to Utah for a family reunion, we took about a 400 mile detour so we could hike through Arches National Park.  It was blazing hot, but we had a great time.  Here are some shots of the incredible scenery that is ours to enjoy.  How blessed we are to live in such a beautiful place!!!!

Here is the iconic Delicate Arch that is so famous around the world.  I am so glad the boys got to see it before they all start going on missions. 

Here is the same arch as seen through a "window" arch a little further down the trail.  If you look through the arch in the foreground, you can see Delicate Arch in the background.


 

Even mom braved the heights to get up to the window.  Some very nice person took our picture.


We had to crabwalk down the steep rock face that lead up to the window arch.  Scary!!!!

At the beginning of the trail to Delicate Arch, there is a great sample of Ute rock art.  The boys loved seeing the real deal!!



Our Hike Up the West Fork Above Red Lodge

This 4th of July we decided to head for the hills.  This hike is just outside of Red Lodge so it is close to home. We have been up this trail before, but we decided to head further up this time and we were rewarded with spectacular views and an incredible gorge where the water was rushing by.

Of course Jared had to stop and fish, this was the most peaceful place and the dog loved swimming in the ice cold water.  What a great way to enjoy the freedoms that we have been guaranteed by the sacrifice of many lives, fortunes and sacred honors.