Zion National Park: final hiking day

Amazing trail to Lower and Upper Emerald Pools, cut into the overhanging rock.

I noticed how different I was feeling setting out to walk some of the many Zion trails, fragile rather than vital, it can only be about managing the end of this epic four month trip and thinking about re-entry.

Even though the walks were not tough nor was the altitude or elevation changes more than I can deal with, but my chest was tight.

Shew, heart both heavy and light if that is possible.

Canyon view from our trail

Beauty of a tree. New birds seen at Weeping Rock - Canyon Wren and Townsend's Solitaire.

Narrow valley floor with the steep cliffs make for great walks.

The Virgin River, looking innocent at this time of year.

Ice-creams on the lawn at the end of the day….

Zion National Park: hommage to the power of water

Our final park, number 13, Zion National Park here in Utah.

It is a large park, however the main action happens down the canyon, carved by the Virgin River, where the steep cliffs and the fast flowing river form a narrow, very scenic, canyon.

Power of water and time is yet again a wonder.

The park runs a free Canyon Shuttle to all the spots along the canyon drive and one hops on and off during the day.

Its  Sunday 20th, its July and the crowds are almost overwhelming and it took a lot to quietly cope with all the frenetic activity.

Strategy: look up and cliff watch….

Foodie Interlude: Springdale blogging

Motel sleeping can be tough - noisy air cons, road noise.

But the early morning light gets me going, as does finding the best spot in town for breakfast, coffee, and some quiet time to blog.

Time to plan and get on the road, Zion calls.

Such a great stop here in Springdale at the southern gate to Zion National Park.

Bryce Canyon National Park: Wildlife

Utah Prairie Dog

I reached a birding milestone in the park - 1500 on my life list and the bird was a Pygmy Nuthatch!

We watched the antics of the threatened Utah Prairie Dog and the minute Uinta Chipmunks, also called the hidden forest chipmunk, what a great visit, another trip highlight.

We now move on to Zion National Park.

Littlest of the chipmunks we have seen - Uinta Chipmunk.

Bryce Canyon National Park: holes and arches

The detail in the landscape is quite beautiful and demands you pay attention and notice.

Arches, bridges, grottoes, holes...

Man-made but as impressive, arch on the trail.

Bryce Canyon National Park: amazing Limber Pines

Clinging on for life has a new meaning when looking at the Limber Pines of Bryce Canyon.

They are a photographic delight.

Fred's exquisite photo with his zoom of a tree at the top of a hoodoo - incredible.

As always, in love with trees.

Huge in their quest for light in the dark of canyon walls.

Bryce Canyon National Park: Hiking the Hoodoos

Such an exciting trail, from the rim all the way into the valley and back up the tight switchbacks in the canyon.

Thin, high altitude walking.

Up close and personal with the hoodoos, so different from the lofty rim perspectives.

Wonder if Gaudi ever visited? Forms more fabulous than those he created in Barcelona.

As always, on the edge, while I walk safely and carefully...

Bryce Canyon National Park: Hoodoo magic

Love it, I have learnt a new word - hoodoo.

They are the bulbous spires here at Bryce Canyon, continually changing with erosion and magical as the light changes and shifts.

Bryce Canyon National Park: amphitheater

Bryce Canyon is dynamic, it mesmerized us both.

A tour de force for the forces of weathering and erosion!

All the weird and wonderful shapes, the palette of colors from icy white, to the palest of pink, deep pinks, hints of orange, ochres and red.

Rim view of the Amphitheater

Inspiration Point at Bryce Canyon at 8300'

Quilting interlude, Panguitch, Utah: Quilt Walk Park

Came upon this park where quilts form part of the pioneer history and the event is celebrated with this special bronze statue.

The figure is standing on a log cabin quilt and he is holding a sashed nine-patch quilt. Each piece of the 'fabric' has a pattern and texture and even looks quilted. 

Real work of art.

A nine patch detail from the bronze quilt.