Right, as Sue said, it just isn't vigorous and has been tough to propogate. I got very interesting comment on it from Jed from Olivers (who as you might know is willing to offer you ANYTING new and unusual even if it is marginally hardy for z6b). When I ask him about LH he said that even his best grower on Long Island can't produce decent looking (read saleable) plants for two years. Rate of mortality in a first year in nursery conditions is over 30%, in ground almost twice as much. So far nobody knows why it is thriving on West Coast while being a problem on East one. Reminds me of a polemonium 'Brise'd Anjou' story.

Bev..... There are more behind me and people running around the bowl like mountain goats. :0) The ridge up behind the arch has a line of people too.....Some girl did a yoga pose under the arch and everyone watching did the same pose, yes including me.....it was hilarious! We hiked down in the dark. Were there MORE when YOU were there?

Arches is one of my favorite places. We had toured it 25 years ago and we saw it again last year. In the interim, one of the major arches had fallen; I believe it was "Landscape" arch. I tried to hike back to "Delicate Arch" but could not make it without possible getting into difficulty. The sign said 2 miles, but I think it was more. The altitude, heat, and steep inclines became too much since I was out-of-shape. I turned back before I passed my point of no-return. I really did want to photograph it - maybe some day. I'll keep it on my bucket list.

After Mt. Rushmore, swing down to Devil's Tower. Its on the Wyoming-S. Dakato border just inside Wyoming. Then, head for Yellowstone. Several routes across Wyoming may be taken. There are two routes across the Big Horn mountians if they choose to crsoo these, or a route around these can be taken. The climb up this mountain is abrupt out of either Buffalo or Sheridan; The Sheridan route has the steeper climb. Once on top of the Big Horns, it is serene, isolated, and rather flat and picturesque. On the West side of the mountain, US 14 drops abruptly down the west side and the landscape change is fast. You go from a high mountain folage to dry, western desert in a span of 30 miles. Plan on using 2 days to tour Yellowstone. Years ago, when I was there, tent camping was not allowed becasue of potential for a bear raid. Only hard-side camper were allowed. Plan to stay outside the park. If you can snag a reservation at the historic inn near Old Faithful, that would be worth it. Driving south of Yellowstone, one could go through Jackson, WY. Jackson is a tourist trap type of town, but the views along Jenny Lake in front the Tetons are beautiful. This best seen before the sun crosses mid sky. After 2pm, the east side of the Tetons are shaded. There are several sites in Utah worth seeing: Zion, Bryce Canyon (which is not a canyon, but is filled with fantastic eroded columns), Arches, Natural Bridges, and Momument Valley. Of these, I recommend Arches, Bryce Canyon, Zion, and Momument Valley. If you are pressed for time, you can skip Natural Bridges. It is anti-climatic after seeing Arches. There are only 3 main bridges to be seen. Stay a Moab and paln to use most of a day to tour Arches. Yes, you could buzz through it in car in a half day, but it is best enjoyed by hiking the paths and coming in contact with the terrain. The signature, Delicate Arch, is accessible only by hiking. Its about a mile off the roadway. South of Arches is Momument Valley which is part of the Navajo Reservation. There is lodging at Blanding. The motel there offers views of the rising sun. From Momument Valley, find you way to Grand Canyon. It is the grandest view of all. Its immensity is hard to envision and awe inspiring. The Grand Canyon park itself has been cloed to private auto touring. However, you can park you car and hike the rim or opt to use tram, a train of open air carts. The trams stops at all the rim viewpoints. You may exit at any viewpoint and then catch another tram. When I was there, the trams ran on 15 minute intervals. The only caution is to make sure that you do not miss the last tram of the day, else you will find yourself hiking back to the parking lot and that could be several miles. The fast way to las Vegas from Grand Canyon is to go south to I40 and then west. But if you have the time, you may wish to backtrack a bit and find a way to Washington-St. George, Utah by crossing the Colorado river using US 89. The drive SW of St. George (I-15) along the Virgin River is scenic.