Balanced Rock, Sunset, Edward Abbey National Monument

(Click image to enlarge)

On this particular evening a good sunset seemed unlikely due to extensive cloud cover, especially in the western sky. Then for a few moments at exactly the right time, a relatively small part of the sky in exactly the right place became illuminated through a gap in the clouds. Nothing can be done to plan something like this, except to be out and ready just in case something great happens.

Balanced Rock is one of the most iconic features in Utah's Arches National Park. The formation stands 128 feet (39 m) tall and the enormous boulder on top weighs about 3,600 tons (more than 4 million kg).