The Final Days
Photos from Arches.
So I am in the final days of my AmeriCorps VISTA contract. 29 days to be exact, but who's counting. It has been an awesome experience but I am looking forward to my next adventure. I have no idea what that will be yet, but I am sure it will be something fun. I have a few lead for jobs this summer in places like Glacier, Katmai, Olympic, and Yellowstone National Parks but wont know for sure what the plan is for at least another month.
Since the last update things have slowed down. I have been making weekend trips to Arches National Park to hike and photograph the park in the winter. Arches becomes a completely different place when it is covered with snow. It's a lot harder to get around, but totally worth it. This photo went viral on the internet and received over 600K views in less than 24 hours.
Here is another shot from after sunset...
Once last cold winter scene of Arches.
Over the holiday I went to Denver to spend time with my girlfriend's family and friends. One of the days we went hiking and birding at Hall Ranch where I got to see some of the damage caused by the floods from this summer. Even though they got most things cleaned up, you can tell where the water demolished some places. On that same trip I also bought a new 2014 Subaru Forester. I have been in the market for a new car for a while, but didn't really feel the need to purchase until now. My old car, carrito, was a great vehicle and was super dependable for the most park. I decided to try and sell it on my own because the dealership offered me a ridiculously low number. So I cleaned it all out and inquired about placing classified ads. Yesterday morning while shopping at the grocery store, an employee runs is and says,
"Who's driving a green car?"
"I am, why?"
"A pepsi semi-truck just smashed into it."
"No way, really?"
"Yep."
"Haha, YES!!"
"Well, that wasn't the reaction I was expecting."
I went outside and someone had already called the police. We exchanged insurance and went on our way. I am hoping that the car is totaled and my guess is that it is. If the insurance cuts me a check it is one less thing that I have to worry about before leaving Monticello.
Now that the days are warming up a little the snow is starting to melt. I don't think we will see "warm" weather for a while, but the highs are usually above freezing these days. The mornings are still cold and the light this time of year is amazing. The shadows are really long and everything seems still. The other morning driving in the park I noticed that the sun was at a great angle for sunrise at Delicate Arch. It was casting a long shadow that was best around 9am. I had to wait a couple days before I could head up because the weather wasn't cooperating. I am glad I did though. As you can tell, it was gorgeous up there.
I also did a hike in Upper Courthouse wash to a feature called Tunnel Arch which is basically a cave that goes completely through the wall for 58 feet.
We also did some off trail hiking in the Windows area and found Christmas Tree Arch.
It was a beautiful day with a killer sunset at the end.
Well, that's all that is going on in my neck of the woods at the moment. I am most likely going to be staying out west these next few months. It all really depends on jobs. I'll be sure to fill you in when I find out. Hope everyone is doing well!
