A Rainbow, Frozen in Stone

-- Here's a video clip featuring Rainbow Bridge (Flash video, 3.66M)

Rainbow Bridge, the largest natural bridge in the world, is being featured on a US postage stamp, part of the new "Wonders of America: Land of Superlatives" series. The stamps became available to the public on June 3.

The series includes "40 stamps to pay tribute to the tallest, largest and fastest that America has," said Brian Sperry, regional spokesman for the US Postal Service in Utah.

Rainbow Bridge is 290 feet high and spans 275 feet. It is located in a rugged area near the Utah/Arizona border, on Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Recreation Area.

"Rainbow Bridge is a spectacular red bridge," said Kevin Schneider, management assistant for Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. "A spectacular site to see... it's considered to be one of the seven natural wonders of the world."

Four of the 40 pictures on the new stamps feature attractions found in Utah, include the Rocky Mountains, the Quaking Aspen, the Great Basin and Rainbow Bridge.

The front of the stamps show brightly colored pictures of the wonders of America. There is added information and statistics about each individual place on the back of each stamp. On the back of the Rainbow Bridge stamp it says, "This sandstone wonder holds spiritual significance for various American Indian groups and was designated a national monument in 1910 by President Taft."

Teddy Roosevelt wanted to see the spectacular site for himself and so he made the difficult overland journey in 1913, into one of the most remote and inaccessible regions in the continental United States.

Roosevelt observed: "Next morning early we started our toilsome return trip. The pony trail led under the arch. Along this the Ute drove our pack-mules, and as I followed him I noticed that the Navajo rode around outside. His creed bade him never pass under an arch. This great natural bridge, so recently 'discovered' by white men, has for ages been known to the Indians."

Today the smooth waters of Lake Powell provide easy access to Rainbow Bridge National Monument, which is about halfway between Wahweap and Bullfrog marinas. Tour boats take groups to the bridge from Whaweap, on an excursion that takes about 7.5 hours round trip. You can also rent powerboats or houseboats and make the journey yourself.

Lake Powell is a prime spot for all kinds of outdoor recreation. It offers near-continuous sunshine, sandy beaches, clear, cool water and amazing red rock scenery. Popular activities include houseboating, powerboating, water and jet skiing, fishing, camping and hiking.

Let us help you plan your trip to this incredible area.

- Dave Webb

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