America's Best Idea

Arches National Park

In my life, travel has been a blessing, a reward for hard work—Tim and I hustled for these adventures. This journey, though, was extraordinary. I aimed high: conquering all 50 states during my 40th trip around the sun, my goal was to spend my half birthday (something I learned from hosting kids' parties) crossing over the state-line into Idaho.

But before tagging my 50th state, Tim and I touched down in Salt Lake City, Utah, immersing ourselves in some Food Network classics! When planning my food stops, I always check what a place is known for, and if it's something I'm eager to try. The chosen restaurant, as recommended on Triple D, was The Red Iguana. Oh my god, it's hands down the best Mexican food I've ever enjoyed.

My plate was a masterpiece of delicious goodness. I ordered The Red Iguana, which included one cheese enchilada, a Taco a la Iguana, a beef flauta topped with guacamole and sour cream, a chile relleno, and a beef tostada. Every bite was an explosion of flavors, and I savored each mouthful, including the perfectly paired rice and refried beans. Mexican cuisine is my go-to, and The Red Iguana didn't disappoint. The awards on the wall don't lie, and their sign proudly declaring 'Killer Mexican Food' is spot on.

Now, let's talk about Les Madeleines, a bakery in SLC, from the show The Best Thing I Ever Ate. There, they showcased their outstanding Kouign Amann (pronounced queen a-mahn). Confession - I had no idea what that was or how to pronounce it initially. Yet, after a quick Google search, I was sold. Imagine a croissant amped up with layers of butter and dough, sugar between those layers creating pockets of sweetness inside, and a crispy, caramel-like coating outside. Warning - once you've had one, you'll crave another and another.

With our bellies full, we were amped up to explore Arches National Park. Moab was our home base for the next few nights, and the following day, we geared up to witness Mother Nature's masterpieces in the Beehive State.

Moab, a small town in southeastern Utah, serves as the gateway to the stunning red rock wonders of Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. It's a perfect spot for outdoor adventures. Our stay at the Fairfield Marriott, a conveniently located retreat with a pool, waterfalls, hot tubs, and fire pits, was a relaxing way to unwind after a day of adventure.

Cruising through Arches is mesmerizing! With a mind-blowing 2,000 natural stone arches, it's like arch central. We were just soaking it all in, spotting these formations left and right. Our big agenda for the day was to hike the trail to Delicate Arch. Picture this: a massive opening, 46 feet high, 32 feet wide – the heavyweight champ of free-standing arches in the park. You won't catch even a sneak peek from the road, so the Delicate Arch Trail is your golden ticket for an up-close view.

It was a hot summer day, no shade in sight on that trail, but we thought, "Let's do it!" Packed up with water, we kicked off this 3-mile out and back hike. The trail winds through rugged red rock formations, providing panoramic views of the desert landscape. Despite the relentless sun, the reward awaits at the trail's end. As we turned a corner, the grandeur of Delicate Arch unfolded – an iconic and majestic sight against the expansive Utah horizon. It's moments like these that make it a classic hike. And guess what – when we reached the arch, no one else was around! Just us, hanging out, snapping pics for a good 20 minutes. Having that wonder all to ourselves? Absolutely priceless.

Fun fact: This whole park was once covered by water! That dry ground? It used to be an inland sea. When the water moved away, it left sand that the wind turned into dunes. And you know what happened next? Those dunes became the cool rocks and arches we see today. But here's the kicker – it's not over. Water is still doing its thing, shaping and changing these formations over time. Nature is like the best artist ever, always creating something new.

Thanks, Arches National Park! I truly understand why hundreds of thousands of visitors come here annually. Keep an eye out for our upcoming adventure in Canyonlands National Park and I also mark off my 50th state milestone.