Green River, Population 949....
We decided to stay in Green River to serve as a central launching point to see various sites. Green River is a small town that looks fairly dried up. Research showed the area has had a roller coaster of activity. In 1876 the city began as a river crossing for the US mail. In 1883, the town boomed with the coming of the railroad, with need for workers to support the construction. The town then flourished as a scheduled meal stop for trains. In 1892, however, the train route was altered and the town was much affected. The 40's, 50's and 60's then brought Uranium mining to the area and between 1964 and 1975 the Green River Missile Complex was used for testing of the Athena and Pershing missiles. That launch site is now in caretaker mode and the city has many abandoned buildings.
Goblin State Park: This state park is like none other, the landscape covered with sandstone goblins and formations, is often compared to Mars. In fact, it was the filming location for Galaxy Quest, a 1999 Tim Alan science-fiction parody comedy film. The distinct shape of the rocks known as hoodoos comes from an erosion-resistant layer of rock atop softer sandstone. This place would bring out the kid in anyone. You are free to roam the goblins (no hiking paths here). As we wandered around the various goblins, we had fun naming various ones. It was amazing how many looked like people, and dinosaurs and various animals.
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A Panorama of Goblins     |
Arches National Park: Chiseled by the powerful forces of wind and water, Arches National Park contains more than 2,000 sandstone arches (more natural arches than anywhere else in the world). To be classified as an arch, the opening must measure at least three feet across. As one looks around, they are reminded of a child making sand castles, only to a very enormous scale. Between the scenic drive and various hikes we were able to get a good sampling of the park.
Balanced Rock - Balanced Rock is about 128 feet (total height), with the balancing rock rising at 55 feet above the base. The balancing rock on top is the size of three school buses. One has to pounder how long this rock can balance there.
Landscape Arch - Landscape Arch is considered to be the longest natural arch in the world, measuring 291 feet. It is 6 feet thick at it's narrowest section.
The Windows -
Park Ave - Where Vertical slabs of red entrada sandstone tower over the surrounding desert like New York skyscrapers.
Delicate Arch - This arch is 65 feet high and 35 feet wide. It is the most widely-recognized landmark in Arches National Park and is depicted on the Utah License plates.
The sandstone formations were beautiful and needed to be seen to be believed. Some looked to have a precarious future, such as balanced rock. The landscape is forever changing here with new arches forming and some collapsing occasionally.
We are headed off to Colorado in the morning.
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