Jun 19, 2012 - Zion National Park

We spent the day exploring Zion National Park and the adjoining Kolob Canyons National Park. Both had unique rock formations and scenic hikes. Such different scenery from Florida! Kolob Canyon had barely any tourists and we were alone on the short hike we took. Zion was packed! Lots of cars and LOTS of tour busses. Zion had some real interesting, curvy roads with tunnels and lots of pull-offs where you could climb on the rocks and explore on your own. This was a much better way to explore Zion than getting on the shuttle bus with all the...

Jun 4, 2012 - Temple of Shiwanava et Weeping rocks

Grasse matinée, réveil à 8h15. Aujourd'hui, nous irons jusqu'au bout de la route du canyon soit au Temple de Sinawava. C'est un joli sentier à l'ombre le long de la Virgin River et qui nous amène au début de The Narrows (maman The Narrows, ne cherchez pas à comprendre) où le canyon commence à se refermer. Il est possible d'aller plus loin dans le canyon mais il faut passer dans la rivière et nous n'avons pas les chaussures appropriées. Un maudite chance que le sentier est plat parce qu'on a les jambes lourdes et quelques courbatures. Il...

Jun 3, 2012 - Nous sommes brûlés...

Bien dormis, la nuit a été agréable et fraîche (18-20C. De plus avec les montagnes environnantes le soleil apparaît plus tard. Au programme aujourd'hui: hiking. Nous prenons la navette car aucune automobile ne peut voyagerc sur la route de couleur rouge du canyon. Arrêt au Lodge et nous irons faire le sentier de Emerald Pool. C'est un sentier pas très long et une montée d'environ 150 mètres qui nous permet de voir de belles chûtes et des étangs à la base de la montagne. Nous redescendons par le sentier Kayenta qui nous amène à l'arrêt El...

Jun 2, 2012 - Court trajet jusqu'à Zion NP

Dernière tournée de Bryce car nous partons aujourd'hui. J'en profite pour visiter Bryce Canyon Lodge l'hôtel du parc qui a été construit au début des années 1900. De retour au campement, nous ramassons et fermons le tout avant de passer à la salle de lavage et de la douche. Au fur et à mesure que nous approchons de Zion, le mercure monte pour atteindre 37C. Tout un choc à la sortie de l'auto. Nous avons eu droit encore à de magnifiques paysages tout le long du trajet. Le camping se situe dans le fond de la vallée ce qui permet d'apprécier...

May 28, 2012 - Kolob Canyons, Zion National Park

We visited the southern part of Zion a few days ago, so we decided to check out Kolob Canyons today. By the way, Kolb means "close to Heaven" or "heavenly residence." I think the name is well-deserved. We walked about 2 miles up the on of the canyons and saw the Double Arches Alcove. The landscape is different then the other part of Zion.

May 24, 2012 - Zion National Park, Utah

Utah is home to five national parks and a few National Monuments and a National Recreation Area. The Parks are Canyonlands, Capital Reef, Arches, Bryce Canyon and Zion. We had been to Zion National Park in May 2005, but we felt the need to go again! Located in three counties in southwestern Utah, Zion was Utah's first National Park. The park actually has two sections. The southern section was named a Mukuntuweap National Monument in 1909 by President William Howard Taft. More land was added and it was renamed Zion National Park in November...

May 20, 2012 - Zion National Park

We arrived in the Zion area yesterday after a really nice scenic ride from Fishlake. It was 35 degrees when we left Fishlake. Brrrr! We went to Zion National Park bright and early this morning. Wow, what a beautiful place. We hiked over 6 miles today with about a third of it up pretty steep trails. The park is so unique compared to the other parks in Utah. It is no wonder so many people come here. We were on our way back down the trail from Scouts Lookout when a group of people were gathered. There was a Condor perched on the trail wall...

May 3, 2012 - Zion National Park

I was up 5:30 CA time ( CA is still my official work time!) but the sun is not over the canyon walls yet. We slept with the back open and it seemed as if we got the best of tent camping but still had a bed. Needed a jacket for taking Pepper for a little walk. Had breakfast and finally ate at the picnic table. For whatever reason, we have eaten breakfast inside the rig thus far. We took Pepper on a 3.5 mile walk on the Pa’rus trail from the Visitor Center to Canyon Junction. The sun was cresting the canyons which was magnificent . As we...

May 3, 2012 - Zion National Park

Up early (5:30), excised and took Pepper for a walk. Today is quasi-work so did a fair bit of computer work, phone calls etc. Left camp at about 9:00 with partly cloudy weather. We were at 7,000 feet in Page and descended to nearly 4,000 feet only to go right back up to 8,000 feet. We are traveling on highway 89A that surrounds the Vermillion Cliffs which are massive red cliffs that rise from what seems to be very desolate, uninhabited flat lands. You can see the road ahead for miles. Surprisingly, we saw a single cow. Leaving Vermillion...

Apr 27, 2012 - Zion National Park, Utah

We drove about 2.5 hours west from Page to Zion National Park in SW Utah and spent a week there. We rode their tram around the park, hiked some trails and let Chief run around, where it was permitted that is. He sure enjoyed the river and the other dogs we crossed pathes with.

Apr 12, 2012 - Day 2 Into Red Rock Country

I left CA and Route 66 in my dust, literally, as Quo Vadis and I climbed up and down the mountains into casino-strewn Nevada, swarmed through Las Vegas with the hurrying hordes and drove on into the third and fourth states of the day. (That sucking sound you hear is my Pilot devouring fuel at a frightening rate as it gives its towing all.) This afternoon I became enamoured with the Virgin River which cuts a spectacular gash through the red rocks in SW Utah. I can hear it now flowing near my trailer in peaceful contrast to the planes,...

Apr 8, 2012 - Easter in God's Country

Boy we may have saved the best for last. We have spent the last two nights at a park between Bryce a n d Zion. First day we saw Red Rock and Bryce at sunset, and got some great photos. Today we packed lunches and went to Zion. We went on two hikes, about as much as our feet would allow. What a perfect day! Weather was about 80, and very beautiful. Zion is a hands on park! You need to hike, bike, canyoneer (talked to several who did this and it sounded fun, maybe next time). I want to come back!