Utah National Parks Rock

We have really been impressed with Utah and their wonderful national parks. Our visit to Zion was enhanced by actually staying in the park for two nights.
The canyon and its magnificent colored walls was so serene and beautiful, with a wonderful view in every direction.

I loved the ability to ride the shuttle bus and see everything from the comfort of your seat. We did not have to get off and on and climb and walk long distances to see the canyon and it's wonders. The bus actually had ceiling windows and when opened they gave you of a view of the canyon walls which towered above you.

The weather was warm during the day, but the nights we were able to turnoff the air conditioning and enjoy the cool clear evenings. Deer and elk grazed in the meadows seemingly unaware of our presence in their world.

The little town of Springdale was charming and offered many unique shops, hotels, and restaurants to enjoy. We loved seeing the buffalo and elk in a fenced enclosure on main street. They seem to welcome us to the West.

The photos of Zion are so gorgeous and we feel some of the best we have taken all trip. I have fallen for this park and want to visit again ....soon.

On to Bryce Canyon and another of Utah's natural wonders. A short two hour drive and we are up higher than in Zion, 7700 feet, and much cooler. The canyon is a surprise.

The drive into the park is through the Dixie National Forest ,which is a vision of deep, deep green rolling hills covered with Ponderosa pine. Suddenly you see a sign pointing to a viewing area and you wonder is that the canyon, because you can see nothing but trees.

So we parked and walked up the gravel path and there in front of us was one of the most gorgeous sites imaginable. Orange, pink, grey plateaus, hoodoos, buttes, mesas below us as far as you can see.....200 miles or more.

It is breathtaking and quite unexpected and immense. I can't tell you what it looks like. It takes your words away. I can tell you that I was standing now at 8100 feet and it is difficult to breathe, for lack of oxygen and the wonder of it all.

We took dozens of photos and we look down on a scene so surreal it is hard to believe what our eyes are seeing.Then we decide to go to the last stop on the
road, Rainbow Point. Up to 9000 feet and there at the end of the plateau, you can see south to the north rim of the Grand Canyon.

This is the Grand Staircase Escalante,beginning here and running hundreds of miles south to the Grand Canyon and as you look at the topography is actually does look like a giant stair case.

We spent the day looking at the view from every vantage point. It was beautiful in full sunlight but awesome as the sun started setting and only the top of the hoodoos were in brilliant sun. The shadows gave the canyon a whole new wonder.

Hoodoos are mystical . How do they stand with rocks balanced on their tops?
How do they continue to change their shapes with the erosion of the rain and the snow? How do they form bridges and windows and arches? They seem to be living things. Each is different and yet the same.

We enjoyed the educational movies at each of the park's visitor centers. They always explain what we will see and how it all came to be and give us an overall understanding of the topography which is so very foreign to Floridians. We know flat, we don't know elevation and especially of this magnitude.

We are leaving in the morning to go to the eastern portion of Utah and we are staying at Moab and will enjoy both Arches and Canyonlands national parks.
We are expecting to be awed and thrilled, because that is what Utah parks do to you.

What a wonderful state to be exploring. We are convinced Utah Rocks.