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'10 Missouri Trip Day 3: Green River, UT - Albuquerque, NM

Though we didn't get to explore Turret Arch like we did the Windows, it was still awesome to get up close to it. The rocks have such interesting shapes, lines, and features in them. I imagine geologists have an interesting time while here. The geology can be "simply" explained, but that doesn't make it any less beautiful or facinating (especially to a rock person!)

After this shot we got back in the car and headed back for the highway. Unfortuantely by this time we were about an hour past what we had scheduled, and desperately needed to get back on the road to attempt to make Chaco and Albuquerque. The next time I'm here, I'm definitely going to head further into the park to the famous Delicate Arch and others. I hope I have enough time to thoroughly enjoy this amazing national park of ours.

'10 Missouri Trip Day 3: Green River, UT - Albuquerque, NM

As we headed off to Turret Arch, I looked back and took a shot of the North Window. From the front, this arch isn't as impressive as the South Widnow in my opinion, but it still boggles the mind as to how it was made. That's a *lot* of rock to wear away, and it will only get bigger as time passes.

'10 Missouri Trip Day 3: Green River, UT - Albuquerque, NM

Turret Arch was just off the short trail back to the parking lot a few hundred yards or so. We decided to take a quick peek and headed over towards it. This arch isn't like the windows -- its smaller and part of a more dense outcrop of rock. Since more people head to Turret Arch than the back side of the windows, this path was less primitive. The path was obvious, and even stairs were provided for the steeper parts of the ascent/descent.

'10 Missouri Trip Day 3: Green River, UT - Albuquerque, NM

There's just so much going on at Arches geologically, its hard to wrap your head around. While heading over to the Turret Arch I decided to grab another panorama, this time of the many rock formations that appeared out of the ground.

'10 Missouri Trip Day 3: Green River, UT - Albuquerque, NM

Having reached the end of the trail, we knew we were overbudget on time once again. Despite our best efforts the night earlier, our hike had taken too long and we knew this would be another long day.

Even knowing that, we couldn't leave so easily. After regrouping and letting Mom and Dad rest and chat with some other tourists, we got ready to quickly check out the other arches in our immediate vicinity.