scenic byways

We set off early from Zion. First stop: Checkerboard Mesa, which Chris proceeded to climb. After an hour we turned right onto Scenic Byway 12, and drove it start to finish. This is a road.

My memories of Red Canyon from last year did not disappoint. Real Thelma and Louise territory. Adam: Why did you make me watch that film?

Next was a quick visit to Inspiration Point at Bryce, the first time for Chris and Adam.

Afterward we took a short hike to the mossy cave and waterfall. Did I take the same arch pictures last year?

Continuing east on 12 took us to through the Grand Staircase of the Escalante. Is there a more beautiful road in America with its twists and turns and canyons of every color?

We made it to the Anasazi Museum in Boulder just before closing. This state park houses thousands of artifacts of early native Americans in the region. This is a recreated fire pit.

We drove through rain (rain!) at 9600 feet on Boulder Mountain, and then descended to lovely Capital Reef in time to chase the sunset. Highway 12, end to end.

Adam drove us deep into Capital Gorge, as the steep sheer rock faces rose above us.

How, we wondered, did the Mormon wagon trains cross these enormous mountains?

Waterpocket fold continues for nearly 100 miles. The only cuts across it are washes, which can be full of water in dangerous flash floods.

Fruita, the oasis of Capital Reef, is green with water from the Fremont River. Settlers—no more than 10 families at a time—planted apples and peaches and pears. You can still taste the fruit of their labors today in the orchards.

Also along the river are giant sandstones with 13th-century petroglyphs. So wonderful that they've survived this long.

sanctuary

The sun rose over the canyon walls.

We took a short stroll by a weeping mountain. Denise spotted a black-headed blue jay.

I loved this yellow flower, growing in what looked like hay.

The mountain does appear to weep, with ferns and lichens lapping up the moisture. 

Why yes, that is a tarantula.

Later Denise and I walked to the emerald pools.

These are cactus flowers: tuna.

The rain falls down from the upper pool.

I liked this bridge across the Virgin River.

All in all, not a bad day's work. 

the land of milk and honey

We met up yesterday in Salt Lake City for our eclipse road trip. I managed to catch drinks with Joyce and Nate after a show and then today, we headed south to Zion. 

Chris and I were last here ten years ago. For Denise it was longer, on a bike tour. Adam was still little, so he's getting to experience it for the first time as an adult. 

The slot canyons are jaw dropping. 

We went on a short but challenging walk to an overlook. You can see the natural arch forming. The sandstone erosion is caused by rivers, winding their way through the desert canyons. 

We dubbed these stacks the beehives. (Utah is the beehive state. To Mormons, beehives represent cooperation and industry of honeybees.)

After dinner we listened to a talk by Ranger Brian on endangered species: tiny desert tortoises and Mexican spotted owls and bighorn sheep, which are on the rebound and which we saw. He ended by talking about conservation especially the national monuments under attack thanks to a Department of Interior review. These include Vermillion Cliffs, Grand Escalante Staircase, and Bears Ears. 

We could see the Milky Way walking back to the car. Unfortunately all the pie shops were closed. Looking forward to a lot of great hiking tomorrow.

basin & range

Before Great Basin became a national park in 1986, the Lehman caves were its main attraction. 

The entrance is at nearly 7000 feet above sea level.

The caves were first discovered and popularized in the mid-19th century by Absalom Lehman who brought tourists in with only a candle.

Ranger Gabby led us deep into the caves.

They were pretty fantastic. 

Huge stalagtites and stalagmites and cave popcorn and bacon.

The colors are a bit muted in the darkness. 

Some of the cavern rooms were large enough to hold 50 people

During prohibition they held dance parties. 

It was awesome. Then we headed up to Wheeler Peak (13,063').

There's still snow at the top. The road goes to 10,000 feet where there's a spacious campground and a trail to the top and another to the Bristlecone pines. 

The mountains are shaped by glaciers, and the elements. 

It began to rain and then hail so we headed back down to Baker. 

The storm clouds were exquisite. 

I loved these rocks near the lower campground. 

After a quick stop at the visitors' center, we headed back to Elko. 

You see all kinds of things in the West. 

These windmills reminded me of dancers. 

Heading over Secret Pass across the Ruby mountains, I spied a double rainbow. 

The sun sets on another great adventure.