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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!

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    Dad and Alex hiking around Goblin Valley State Park
    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.