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

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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….

Travelling to Williams AZ over the dessert from Page

We set off after breakfast down towards the vermillion cliffs and onwards over the desert towards Williams. The land is very arid and light coloured hillocks of sand for many miles.

We eventually reached a Navajo trading post. It was a huge enterprise with masses of goods for sale. Coaches and cars everywhere as people make this their break of journey.

Nearing Williams the land becomes more green and trees everywhere. They must have had forests fires recently as loads of burnt stumps over large areas. 

At Williams as was planned, we visited bearizona. It is a drive through safari sort of idea. 

Caribou wolves bison bears burros ( wild donkeys) were in different areas. At the park you can also walk around to see young bears, porcupine, beavers, arctic wolves, bobcats, arctic foxes deer etc we spent 3 hours there so much to enjoy .(I took 295 images of the animals so feel lucky how few of these I’ve put in my blog!)

We drove through the town next. Williams is where you can catch the train to the grand canyon and as it’s on route 66 it’s very popular. We found our hotel, it’s at the end of town away from the noise, but an easy walk into town to the shops and cafes

We plan to go to the Grand Canyon all tomorrow. So excited!

hope you enjoy these animals….

We hare having a lovely time today revisiting spots we saw 9 years ago. We went to see the Vermillion Cliffs below Page town and saw the Navajo women selling their wares. Then onto the Navajo Bridge over the Colorado river.

I make no excuses for all my photos of these 2 bridges,( the foot bridge and its parallel road bridge). They are so iconic and historical.

Next stop was along to Lee Ferry where you can paddle in the Colorado on the sandy river bank. Here boats set off to journey through the Grand Canyon.

Back to Page for salad bowl lunch at Subway and gigantic cold diet coke. Again we have reached 100*f

In the afternoon we explored the Lake Powell and sat in the shade watching the boats.

last night we caught the sunset and the full moon rising over the lake so beautiful….

The last three are down at the lee ferry crossing.