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Road Trip to Utah and Northern Arizona

On a last minute decision, we hit the road to visit Southern Utah and Northern Arizona for 10 days to see some of best of the American Southwest. We had a great time and saw some amazing places....such a big difference between this area and the lush greenery of BC and the Pacific Northwest where we spent the majority of the last 5 years. We went at a great time because the weather was warm (but not too warm), and the crowds were light since the busy season doesn't really start until Memorial Day weekend. A couple of our favorites along the trip include:

1) Upper Antelope Canyon - a completely unique experience that showcases nature at it's best
2) Zion National Park - as Oneea put it, when you enter the park, you feel like you've stepped into another world. The landscape is otherworldly. It's a place we'll be sure to visit again, and already have plans to head back in October to get a shot at the Subway and the Narrows (along with the fall colors)
3) Goblin Valley State Park - what a cool out of the way spot. We will be sure to camp here someday when Alex is a little older....a kid's natural playground.
4) Springdale, UT - great little town, good food, amazing scenery. Would definitely come back here again.

There's so much to see in this area and 10 days is nowhere near enough time to truly experience...Besides our Zion trip this coming October, I also want to spend more time in Arizona to see Havasu Falls (trail still closed as of May 1st), The Wave in Coyote Buttes North, and the Painted Desert. Oh, and can't forget the obvious....Grand Canyon.
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  • The Courthouse Towers in Arches National Park

    The Courthouse Towers in Arches National Park

  • The traditional road trip "champagne" dinner. We pulled over to watch the sunset at Arches with some cheap champagne, and cheese and crackers. This tradition started on our very first road trip to Oregon while we were watching the sunset at Clear Lake in Central Oregon.

    The traditional road trip "champagne" dinner. We pulled over to watch the sunset at Arches with some cheap champagne, and cheese and crackers. This tradition started on our very first road trip to Oregon while we were watching the sunset at Clear Lake in Central Oregon.

  • Along highway 24 just North of Hanksville, Utah. We pulled over along the highway to feed Alex his bottle, and I stumbled across these rocks. Such a strange formation in the middle of nowhere, but thought they were pretty cool so took a picture. Funny thing is, there are formations like this all over Utah that have no name, but are incredibly beautiful and have probably been around for millions of years.

    Along highway 24 just North of Hanksville, Utah. We pulled over along the highway to feed Alex his bottle, and I stumbled across these rocks. Such a strange formation in the middle of nowhere, but thought they were pretty cool so took a picture. Funny thing is, there are formations like this all over Utah that have no name, but are incredibly beautiful and have probably been around for millions of years.

  • Goblin Valley State Park in the middle of nowhere, Utah. This really is a remote little place, but truly amazing. Really does feel more like Mars than Earth. I think Hollywood felt the same, as there have been several movies filmed here including Galaxy Quest fairly recently. There's a great little campground nearby and lots of interesting hikes around the area that we'll be sure to come back for when Alex is a little older.

    Goblin Valley State Park in the middle of nowhere, Utah. This really is a remote little place, but truly amazing. Really does feel more like Mars than Earth. I think Hollywood felt the same, as there have been several movies filmed here including Galaxy Quest fairly recently. There's a great little campground nearby and lots of interesting hikes around the area that we'll be sure to come back for when Alex is a little older.

  • Dad and Alex hiking around Goblin Valley State Park

    Dad and Alex hiking around Goblin Valley State Park

  • Bryce Ampitheater from Inspiration Point.

    Bryce Ampitheater from Inspiration Point.

  • An abandoned tractor in the ghost town of Grafton, Utah. This old ghost town was really worth the trip...we were the only people there which added to the experience, and were able to wander around the few old buildings and cemetery that seem to have been frozen in time.

    An abandoned tractor in the ghost town of Grafton, Utah. This old ghost town was really worth the trip...we were the only people there which added to the experience, and were able to wander around the few old buildings and cemetery that seem to have been frozen in time.

  • Springdale, Utah.....Can you imagine living in a town with this kind of scenery? Not only does it have endless outdoor opportunities, but also a nice town with good restaurants, nice shops, and a lot of local artists. Very cool place that we'll definitely be back to visit again. The two top hotels that we saw were the Desert Pearl Inn and the Cable Mountain Lodge in case you're planning a visit.

    Springdale, Utah.....Can you imagine living in a town with this kind of scenery? Not only does it have endless outdoor opportunities, but also a nice town with good restaurants, nice shops, and a lot of local artists. Very cool place that we'll definitely be back to visit again. The two top hotels that we saw were the Desert Pearl Inn and the Cable Mountain Lodge in case you're planning a visit.

  • The Watchman and Virgin River within Zion National Park at Sunset. This is the classic photo that draws so many people to Zion. It drew me in and the park did not disappoint. It's a hiker's paradise, and has scenery that is out of this world. We're already planning our next trip in the Fall so that we can take advantage of some of the hikes that weren't open during this trip (ie Narrows was closed due to high river waters...apparently must be 140cfs or less for the Narrows to be open).

    The Watchman and Virgin River within Zion National Park at Sunset. This is the classic photo that draws so many people to Zion. It drew me in and the park did not disappoint. It's a hiker's paradise, and has scenery that is out of this world. We're already planning our next trip in the Fall so that we can take advantage of some of the hikes that weren't open during this trip (ie Narrows was closed due to high river waters...apparently must be 140cfs or less for the Narrows to be open).

  • Spring green along the Virgin River in Zion National Park

    Spring green along the Virgin River in Zion National Park

  • A road bending through Zion National Park.

    A road bending through Zion National Park.

  • Dad and Alex at the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail.

    Dad and Alex at the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail.

  • Taken along the Canyon Overlook trail in Zion National Park. Such a short hike (1 mile RT) and such a big view....definitely worth it!

    Taken along the Canyon Overlook trail in Zion National Park. Such a short hike (1 mile RT) and such a big view....definitely worth it!

  • The famous Angel's Landing trail in Zion National Park....this is the one hike I did solo because it didn't feel right to drag Oneea and Alex up there knowing that there was significant exposure on the last half mile. As it turns out, the warnings and signs are right (and maybe even a little understated). The first two miles are a breeze, but once you reach the last half mile, BEWARE. The trail becomes incredibly exposed and a slip/fall would almost certainly mean death. The park service has installed chains to hold onto for portions of the hike, but I think those may actually do more harm than good. I crossed the saddle just beyond this point and did a very bad thing...I looked down. On both sides, there was at least a 500 foot drop and the trail was very, very narrow. At this point, I decided that it was best to turn around. Haven't done that on too many hikes, but my knees were wobbling a little after seeing how far down it was, and how one slip could change everything. When I came back to the cabin, I googled Angels Landing deaths and found that 5 people have recently fallen and died on this very same trail....

    The famous Angel's Landing trail in Zion National Park....this is the one hike I did solo because it didn't feel right to drag Oneea and Alex up there knowing that there was significant exposure on the last half mile. As it turns out, the warnings and signs are right (and maybe even a little understated). The first two miles are a breeze, but once you reach the last half mile, BEWARE. The trail becomes incredibly exposed and a slip/fall would almost certainly mean death. The park service has installed chains to hold onto for portions of the hike, but I think those may actually do more harm than good. I crossed the saddle just beyond this point and did a very bad thing...I looked down. On both sides, there was at least a 500 foot drop and the trail was very, very narrow. At this point, I decided that it was best to turn around. Haven't done that on too many hikes, but my knees were wobbling a little after seeing how far down it was, and how one slip could change everything. When I came back to the cabin, I googled Angels Landing deaths and found that 5 people have recently fallen and died on this very same trail....

  • Taken at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park just North of Kanab, Utah....This was a really cool place and my first visit to a sand dunes of any kind (which is sort of ironic given how close we are to the Colorado Sand Dunes). I had to hike out to this area and couldn't believe how hot and windy it was out on the dunes. It took me 3 times longer than I expected to reach the tallest dune because of the conditions, and the sinking that occurs with every step (you can see my foot steps in the sand). But, still very much worth it and a really cool place...

    Taken at Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park just North of Kanab, Utah....This was a really cool place and my first visit to a sand dunes of any kind (which is sort of ironic given how close we are to the Colorado Sand Dunes). I had to hike out to this area and couldn't believe how hot and windy it was out on the dunes. It took me 3 times longer than I expected to reach the tallest dune because of the conditions, and the sinking that occurs with every step (you can see my foot steps in the sand). But, still very much worth it and a really cool place...

  • Gotta think that Alex was thinking "Wow this is an awfully big sand box"....

    Gotta think that Alex was thinking "Wow this is an awfully big sand box"....

  • Alex will not like me for this one....but had to do it. Here he is finding a way to beat the Arizona heat by lounging in his diaper inside Pack N' Play.

    Alex will not like me for this one....but had to do it. Here he is finding a way to beat the Arizona heat by lounging in his diaper inside Pack N' Play.

  • Did I mention that Alex really likes getting carted around in the baby backpack? Added bonus is pulling on Mom or Dad's hair.

    Did I mention that Alex really likes getting carted around in the baby backpack? Added bonus is pulling on Mom or Dad's hair.

  • One of the big draws of Upper Antelope Canyon are the light beams that pierce through the surface above to make spectacular natural light shows. We made sure to get here at just the right time to snap this picture. The beams last only a few minutes and then disappear until the next day's sunlight. It was an amazing sight to see, and something that I'm certain to visit again.

    One of the big draws of Upper Antelope Canyon are the light beams that pierce through the surface above to make spectacular natural light shows. We made sure to get here at just the right time to snap this picture. The beams last only a few minutes and then disappear until the next day's sunlight. It was an amazing sight to see, and something that I'm certain to visit again.

  • Beam shining through Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

    Beam shining through Upper Antelope Canyon in Page, Arizona.

  • At the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon. The walls were glowing an amazing orange from the afternoon sun that filtered in from above. Alex was all smiles and really enjoyed his time in backpack pulling Mom's hair.

    At the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon. The walls were glowing an amazing orange from the afternoon sun that filtered in from above. Alex was all smiles and really enjoyed his time in backpack pulling Mom's hair.

  • Psychedelic sandstone of Antelope Canyon

    Psychedelic sandstone of Antelope Canyon

  • Just inside the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon outside of Page, Arizona. The walls have been shaped over thousands of years by flood waters. Eventually these waters dump into the Colorado River, and what is now Lake Powell just a few miles away.

    Just inside the entrance of Upper Antelope Canyon outside of Page, Arizona. The walls have been shaped over thousands of years by flood waters. Eventually these waters dump into the Colorado River, and what is now Lake Powell just a few miles away.

  • Horseshoe Bend just outside of Page, Arizona. This is another short hike with a huge view of the Colorado River. We arrived just before sunset and were amazed at how many others had the same idea and were here to take some pictures.

    Horseshoe Bend just outside of Page, Arizona. This is another short hike with a huge view of the Colorado River. We arrived just before sunset and were amazed at how many others had the same idea and were here to take some pictures.

  • The very last stop on our road trip was to Monument Valley and the famous Mittens. We were ready to get home by this point, so didn't spent too much time in the park.

    The very last stop on our road trip was to Monument Valley and the famous Mittens. We were ready to get home by this point, so didn't spent too much time in the park.

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    Dad and Alex at the end of the Canyon Overlook Trail.
    Taken along the Canyon Overlook trail in Zion National Park. Such a short hike (1 mile RT) and such a big view....definitely worth it!
    The famous Angel's Landing trail in Zion National Park....this is the one hike I did solo because it didn't feel right to drag Oneea and Alex up there knowing that there was significant exposure on the last half mile. As it turns out, the warnings and signs are right (and maybe even a little understated). The first two miles are a breeze, but once you reach the last half mile, BEWARE. The trail becomes incredibly exposed and a slip/fall would almost certainly mean death. The park service has installed chains to hold onto for portions of the hike, but I think those may actually do more harm than good. I crossed the saddle just beyond this point and did a very bad thing...I looked down. On both sides, there was at least a 500 foot drop and the trail was very, very narrow. At this point, I decided that it was best to turn around. Haven't done that on too many hikes, but my knees were wobbling a little after seeing how far down it was, and how one slip could change everything. When I came back to the cabin, I googled Angels Landing deaths and found that 5 people have recently fallen and died on this very same trail....