Unexpected trip Cody to Billings Montana 

Annoyingly we had to make a 100mile trip to Billings Montana to the airport to exchange our rental car at Avis in the airport. (Poor tyre tread and warning light on dashboard for no airbags. To be safe we agreed to pick up another car at Billings )

The drive was very easy and satnav helped us find the way. We crossed very neat organised arable farms. 

At roadsides you could buy corn, peaches,tomatoes, apples and huckleberries. All the hay and silage was stacked ready for winter. Everywhere was golden and yellow and green 

We are back at the hotel now and I should explain what an unusual place it is 

The entrance is full of taxidermy jungle animals and huge thigh bones all engraved and African artifacts displayed on all the walls and bannisters. 

I ate my breakfast with a huge elephants head behind me 😂 you can’t get round to some tables easily as a lion tiger and crocodile are in the way. You don’t believe me? I shall take some photos on my phone to prove the extraordinary entrance dining area.

Tonight we are going to a rodeo. It is their last one of the season so we are lucky to get tickets they finish aug31!

I’ve never been to one before and feel I should have cowgirl boots and a cowgirl hat….. I’ll let you know later how we get on. 

We went through 3 states today. Idaho, Montana and now Wyoming.

Idaho falls to Cody Wyoming

Another early start as we continue our travelling to Cody. The land heading north is fertile and farming land we were following the route on highway 20  via west entrance to yellow stone np

Then through the Targhee national forest.

We were now in the giant caldera that is Yellowstone. One day this whole area will erupt .

We stopped at Ernie’s cafe for a fab breakfast this is 2 days running!

So into Montana through west entrance of Yellowstone np and into Wyoming.

We were doing so well then kept stopping for the views of Madison river. The water was so clear and the temperature was morning coolness. So perfect ….

We headed towards Norris and stopped by hot springs. There were dragon flies and steam floating from the pools.

The river gibbon meanders over a plateau 

The water is warm from hot springs a man was fishing. 

We were up on the top now

A little further on we saw bison 

One crossed the road towards us so we had to move back! The one across the river was safer to take 🤣 there was a herd of them further along.

Now we reached the Yellowstone River 

Another stop for coffee and then on to Cody via sylvan pass very steeply out of the east entrance of Yellowstone 

 

Buffalo bill state park and a huge reservoir greeted us before a tunnel through the rocks and out to see Cody town

Sorry all the photos are at the end I’m a bit tired after the journey to sort them!

Long travelling day Bryce to Idaho 

We set off at  7am from panguitch and hit the freeway 89 all the way.we saw the dry fields being irrigated  in this desert landscape . By 10.45am we had reached the outskirts of Salt Lake City and stopped at a cracker barrel restaurant. 

2 pancakes egg bacon tomato and fruit with maple syrup and coffee. Mmmm

Next was the long haul through and past SLC. The motorway was busy many lanes loads of lorries and it went on for miles.

Not an easy drive. There was a haze everywhere like fog but not ….it was a heat haze very heavy.

We saw several Mormon temples and the huge one in the centre of the city

As we headed north of the city we saw the salt lake in the distance. We were going to stop to see the salt lake but to be honest we were scared by the traffic and the haze so kept on going.

Gradually the traffic became easier and we crossed the border to Idaho state

We were up in the hills and still in that thick haze. Here the land was greener and more animal and small holdings.

The sun was beginning to break through and we began to see blue sky. Cooler now 76*f

We saw a huge propeller being transported along the road. It was enormous 

Now at the holiday inn Idaho falls very tired but pleased to rest up! Got here about 4 pm so not too bad. This is a stop over as we continue onto Cody Wyoming tomorrow.

So no photos of sights today

Last day in Bryce Canyon area

So as we have 2 days of travel ahead we had a relaxing day today.

We started off with an early morning walk in the red mountains not far!

Next a trip to tropic reservoir where we saw osprey 

Next coffee in Bryce

and a last look at inspiration point and Paria view.

 On the way out of the canyon I saw 4 big wild turkeys! And a deer

Then to panguitch lake it was a little drive but the lake was for fishermen not tourists As it was high up on the way down to the town there were views in the distance of Bryce and the pink white rocks. It was worth going there for the views on the way back. 

Dixie forest as far as escalantes np then Kodachrome Basin State Park

Today we called in at the red mountain visitor centre and got a few tips on where is good to explore .

The route we took was through the Dixie forest that skirts the back of Bryce Canyon. We could see the orange hoodoos as we travelled and we stopped at Tropic for a wake me up coffee. 😉

Cannonville  then Henrieville the beauty of the landscape was better than Zion np in our opinion . We were following a dried up river bed with just a trickle of water now and then.

Road started climbing through cone shaped grey white mud deposits 76000 was the summit. Here wesley Powell expedition found many dinosaur bones 

Going downhill the landscape changed to a wide green valley with farmed horses and cattle.

This scenic highway goes on for miles and so we traveled as far as the information centre and turned around.

On the way back we called at Kodachrome basin state park 

It is way off the beaten track but worth a detour. The hoodoos and chimneys look like (well it’s up to your imagination )

Again a very very hot afternoon and not a cloud in the sky 

So another birthday today! Xavi is 8 years old and getting very grown up🎂🎂🥳 have a lovely birthday xavi with lots of presents cards and fun love from grandma and cowboy grandad xxxx

Cedar city and Zion NP

The road we took to cedar city was a picturesque route and as we headed south we began to climb through volcanic debris and grassy outcrops ….with trees as we climbed higher up to 9000 feet. There were lots of gnats up by a dam and lake 

Up here in the forest are many camping sites and recreational uses. As we descended to cedar city we both felt glad we had chosen this way. 

Our intention is to enter Zion NP by the south entrance and climb up and through the famous tunnels out to the east side. Then it is not far back to our hotel.

At cedar city we stopped at a cool yoga coffeehouse. We had a breakfast bagel of egg bacon spinach tomato and rich coffee. In the back there are rooms for exercise and yoga and clothes to purchase.

Next stop was virgin town and the temps were hotting up tremendously. I took a few fun shots here in a cowboy setting with John Wayne and the Lone Ranger with Tonto. I’m showing my age now 

At Zion it was so hot we slowly made our way up the mountain on the zigzag bends stopping at all the view points temp 91*f in shade 

Through the mile long tunnel and out. Continued up the mountain and onto the highway 

we were soon back at Panguitch sitting outside looking at the view of the red hills with swifts flying around me.

Thank goodness for air conditioning I could have melted today !

Most important is our granddaughter Lilyana’s 18th birthday . Congratulations Lily and we send you all the love in the world and a great future in your adult life! love grandma and grandad xxx

BRYCE CANYON

To get to Bryce Canyon you have to pass through red mountain park. The Bryce Canyon is not really a canyon but 3 amphitheatres 

The viewing points along the rims have names like sunrise and sunset points, inspiration point, Bryce point,natural bridge at 8627 feet ending with rainbow point at nearly 9115 feet. 

Such an amazing view over a huge distance 

Such an enjoyable day and what another great experience xx my photos will give you an idea. 

The limestone hoodoos are salmon pink and white topped. There are caves and arches all formed by moisture freezing and the wind. When the bridge collapses stacks are left. It’s an on going cycle of erosion.

We really like our hotel in panguitch. It is like being in a ranch house with a wooden balcony. We can look out on the sunset and the mountains glowing. The thunder hasn’t left us yet but as long as it’s in the nighttime that’s ok  The temps at 68*f and very windy with an autumnal feel.

On the move again near to Bryce Canyon Utah 

On US 89 we soon reached barren desert again. The road is mostly two way; a long haul through unpopulated land. It is a huge plateau covered in red sand and grass stumps with outcrops of rock.

We stopped at the Cameron trading post run by Navajo nation. All along this area many dinosaurs have been found.

We turned to cross the Navajo bridge and skirt the vermilion cliffs and the Colorado River

Again we are travelling along a two way straight road for miles. The cliffs also go on for miles. Huge rocks are strewn along the road from cliff falls 

Eventually we started climbing up a mountain from 4000 to 6000 feet along hairpin bends nothing too frightening

We were in national forest 🌳 of Arizona 

We still had 100 miles to travel and stopped at a services the first one we had come upon Jacob lake inn. Oh dear after waiting in the restaurant for 50 minutes for our order we gave up on them paid for our coffee and left 🥲still we had had a good rest from travelling, look on the bright side.

The route took us over a high ridge with valleys either side and beautiful views 

Loads of forest fire damage was all along here. We stopped at le fevre overlook where 2 Navajo ladies chatted to us and I bought myself a bracelet from them 

 Up there in the kaibab forest the view was amazing. I took a photo to explain the geology. “The land of many uses.”

Fredonia was the next town elevation 4800 ft so we had descended a bit

Now we are in Utah again and a clock change  at kanab.

We  passed sandstone cave wind formations and coral pink sandstone sand dunes state park. 6100 feet 

We passed Zion national park and onto Bryce staying at Panguitch

. 

I haven’t taken many photos today just a few as we traveled along. But admired this beautiful road with so many beautiful views 

We are now in a ranch style house with a wooden balcony and seat to admire the view very lovely 

Grand Canyon Arizona 

New day and fab weather windy, not too hot,  but sunny with white fluffy clouds. Perfect after the monsoon weather we have experienced.

We drove to the other end of the np to desert view watch tower by the east entrance. At the east end area it is much easier to see the Colorado river meandering thousands of feet below. (We are on the south rim.)

The Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world. It is 6000 feet at its deepest and 18 miles at its widest. The whole canyon is 277 miles long.

It is amazing and unforgettable ; the depth, width and length of the canyon is astounding, and most impressive. You can tell I am mind blown by it.

My photos are much brighter today because the weather is good.

We saw a few elk today and were lucky to see this one on the side of the road with large antlers.

We have seen deer squirrels chipmunks ravens, turkey vultures,and colourful blue and yellow birds. 

Grand Canyon on a stormy day

This is mainly about weather I’ll talk more about Grand Canyon and size’s tomorrow 

We had a huge thunderstorm last night and masses of rain but when we woke up it seemed to have gone 

We took an hour to drive from Williams to Grand Canyon visitors centre

You can park your car there and use the free shuttle buses. We got on the red route (rhymes with sprout if you’re an American… so annoying)

Vince and I took many photos. The light was amazing and became very atmospheric as the black clouds welled up.

At the end of red route was hermits rest. We managed a couple of pics then ……..boom blackness everywhere hailstones and totally no views.

We dived in the gift shop and ordered 2 coffees. But were told “ rules say you can’t drink in the shop “ so we sheltered under the wooden eaves of the shop with lots of other damp people. It was unbelievable lightening and thunder.

Eventually the hail moved on and you could begin to slightly see parts of valleys and where the storm was overhead.

We got a few more pics and got back on the shuttle bus. The next two stops were amazing for photographers the rocks were wet and shiny and you could at last see right down to the river Colorado 2miles below. You can see from my photos how the weather deteriorates!

Eventually back to the carpark and visitor centre the storm was directly over head again. It was scary fork lightning and huge drops of icy rain and hail. And our car was parked right at the end of the parking lot. About 5 miles of scary driving brought us out of it and into dry blue skies with fluffy white clouds. There are flash flood warnings for all this area especially for 11pm but we will be safely in bed by thenwhether we can sleep is another story. Definitely monsoon weather….