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Arches National Park, in Utah, just a few miles south of Moab, is one of the most beautiful areas I have visited. Delicate Arch is probably the most recognized landscape feature of Utah. We were driving through and decided to stop here for just enough time for the one-hour hike up to the arch. The hike is somewhat difficult, especially if you go on a hot afternoon, and quite decivieng because you can't see the arch until you arrive at it. But the view is well worth the effort.

Some interesting historical facts about the arch:
-It was named in 1933 by Frank Beckwith, who was then leader of the Arches National Monument Scientific Expedition.
-It was not included as part of Arches Nat'l Park until 1938; almost 10 years after the park was formed.
-The National Park Service considered applying a coat of protectant over the arch to prevent it from erosion in the 1950s, but decided against it because it would be impractical and against the park service's principles.
-It is currently pictured on Utah License Plates
-The Olympic Torch passed uncer the arch for the 2002 Winter Olympics (which were held in Salt Lake City, Utah).

Most of the info from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delicate_Arch