Day 54: Arches NP Day 1

Monday
Today was a big day - we have been to Arches National Park. We first visited Moab in 2003 and did not have the time to visit Arches. Helen visited Arches when she was in the States and loved it, so we were eager to make sure we visited it this time.
We started at the Visitor Center but were slightly disappointed that Sally would be unable to access many of the arches, still we pressed on. There is a sort of spinal road through the park, with side roads which lead to some of the arches. The main road is 21 miles long. We took it gently and stopped at some of the viewing points, enjoying Courthouse for its views. In the distance we could just make out a couple of arches (North and South Windows). We turned off the main road to visit these arches, stopping at Balancing Rock on the way. When we reached the Windows Arches it bacme obcious that Sally would only be able to access a bit of the pathway, so she waited at the bottom with the camera while I ran up to North Window, where she could take some pics of me!
Then I went back up with the camera to take pics from the Arch. From there I could see Turret Arch and also make out Double Arch, though not clearly from there. I then walked round a large outcrop to see South Arch, but didn't climb up to it. Turning my back on the Windows, I made for Turret Arch, where a kind person (from Denver) took a pic of me standing in the Arch. I then made my way back down to Sally, who was chatting happily to a couple from Maryland who were into genealogy, fascinating. Also lunch time! We moved the Chevy round the road to be opposite Double Arch. The path here was definitely not accessible, however it was quite flat, with rock steps and deep sand here and there, so I suggested we have a go using Sally's manual chair. This worked, with Sally walking those bits that I couldn't push. We managed to get right up to the Double Arch, which is quite magnificent,  oh dear here it comes again - AWESOME.
Eventually we made our way back to the van and decided that we had seen enough for today and would explore the rest of Arches on Wednesday, as tomorrow we plan to go to Canyonlands to see Dead Horse Bend. We stopped in Moab for an early dinner at a Microbrewery, it was very nice.