We went to spend time in Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks. And we had a great time.
Friday it rained on us as we drove until we got to around Price. South of there, the wind picked up. We didn't get any hiking in on Friday, as there really isn't anywhere to avoid the wind when you are hiking across the slickrock.
We went in to Moab and had a mediocre dinner at a local steak place. However the company was great.
After dinner, the wind had died down some and we walked through town for a little bit, stopped in a book store, as two book people are likely to do, and then headed out to our little cabin.
Saturday we got up early-ish and headed to Arches. Lydia got us tickets to go on the Fiery Furnace tour.
the Fiery Furnace is an area of sandstone fins and slots. There are no maps of the area, and no established trails. It is fantastic. Moab backcountry at its best. This is what I love about Southern Utah, despite the heat.
If you dont take a tour, you need a permit to get into the Fiery Furnace, and the rangers check regularly here. Everything you think of when someone talks about the Southwest desert can be found here. Although with a tour all the animal life is scared away by the noise of the group. Next year we will get a permit, and go explore by ourselves.
After the Fiery Furnace we took a dirt road across several washes to a less traveled section of Arches. Klondike Bluffs is about eight miles North West of the main drag and all the tourists. Here you can find The Marching Men, and Tower Arch. This was about a three mile hike.
Sunday took us to Canyonlands and several short hikes, but with a hidden gem in the middle of it all. First we took the short trail South of the visitor center to see Mesa Arch. This is literally about a quarter mile loop, but with a fantastic view. 
Next we hiked out to False Kiva. A little known ruin, that you wont find unless someone shows you where it is. False Kiva is a Class II ruin and has semi protected status. You wont find it on any of the maps, but if you ask a ranger, they will tell you about it. The trail is tricky to find, so take precaution if you go looking for it. 
Later that evening, we headed out to The Grand View Point overlook where rangers provided eclipse glasses for the main event that evening. It just so happened that we were in the right spot at the right time to see a solar eclipse. And what better place to watch it than at a great location like Canyonlands.
Monday we got a short hike out to Delicate Arch in before we headed home, and that is always a sight.
Another great trip, and surely we will be back there again.
