Day 28 - April 13, 2008

Today we travelled from Durango, Co to Monticello, Utah. Well, the planned campground looked like all the inhabitants were in the knife and gun club. So we shifted gears and went 20 miles south to Blanding, Utah to a campground where we could feel safe and sleep at night.

We just had a little touring time so we drove 40 miles to Natural Bridges National Monument. Within the winding corridors of White and Armstrong canyons, water has eroded the stone walls to form three massive bridges. The three natural bridges were named after Hopi Indian terms that relate to their characteristics. They were all incredible. Seems like I use that word a lot to describe this trip but it definitely fits the bill. We are so blessed and grateful to be able to make this journey and see the wonders of this fantastic country.

Sipapu Bridge, the longest and highest, is 268 feet long, 31 feet wide, 53 feet thick and 220 feet high. It is the second largest natural bridge in the world. Sipapu represents a mature stage in the evolution of a natural bridge.

Kachina Bridge is the most massive of the bridges and has a height of 210 feet, 204 feet long, 44 feet wide and 93 feet thick. This bridge represents youth.

"G" at Owachomo Bridge. This bridge is the smallest and oldest bridge. It is a narrow strip of rock only 9 feet thick in the center and 27 feet wide. Spanning 180 feet, Owachomo is in a late stage of erosion and is approaching the day when weather and gravity will bring it crashing to the canyon floor. This bridge represents "old age". We actually hiked down to this bridge.

This twin mesa is called "Bear Ears". It made us think of Liza "Bear" Chambliss.