Leslie and David's Wanderings: 22 May 2021 Corona Arch Return

We woke tired after three days of on the go so we delayed our start to Moab. We picked up Cynthia and Felix and went to the trailhead for Corona Arch. We stopped at the petroglyphs along Potash Road for Cynthia and Felix to see. As usual, the parking lot was full and we parked in the overflow across the street. It was cloudy and cool, perfect hiking weather. When we reached the other side of the railroad tracks, we stopped to get out breath and take in the view. A lady fell hard on the trail near us and was bleeding from multiple cuts. Several folks stopped to help. David pulled out his first aid kit and he and Felix helped badge up the cuts and get her to her feet. She was a little shaky, but seemed ok with her husband. So we continued on up the trail. Cynthia was a little intimidated by the cable climb but made it up just fine. We took our time absorbing the beauty of the Bowtie and Corona Arches. Cynthia and Felix once again declared this was the biggest winner of all the arches!! The clouds seemed to be getting darker and more ominous, so we started back to the trailhead. Big cold drops of rain began to splatter around us as we worked our way across the slickrock to the cable. We got to the top of the cable and worked our way down as quickly as we could. Thunder rolled nearby quickening our steps. The rain drops seemed to be chasing us out of the canyon. As we reached the head of the canyon, lightening shot across the sky and there was a very loud crack of thunder that echoed in the canyon. The lightening and thunder began in earnest as we reached the end of the trail and headed across the street for the Behemoth. People were running all around us for their cars. Just as we got into the Behemoth the skies opened up and it began raining hard. Excellent timing! We headed back into town to get a late lunch and do some last minute shopping on main street. We went back to Josie Wyatts to enjoy a drink and fun conversation before heading back to the Wanderer. Rain threatened a bit, but the wind dies down and we were able to start a fire. The temperatures were just right for a fire and we sat around it enjoying the company and the warmth while taking turns going inside for showers. Then the wind suddenly returned and we had to dose the fire.