Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Utah, 2017

Horseshoe Bend.  It is a terrifying 1,000-foot (300 m) drop into the Colorado River below.  I thought I was being brave to lie down and dangle over the edge to take a photo.  However, while taking the shot, a girl in sandals walked casually to a much more dangerous spot and took her selfie seemingly without a care in the world :)

Utah National Parks continue to amaze!

Rich, Lisa, Sarah, Dana and I spent last week boating around Lake Powell, walking the amazingly photogenic Antelope Slot Canyons and Horseshoe Bend near Page, AZ, soaking in the bizarre landscape of Bryce, and enjoying the magnificent Zion National Park.

My personal highlight was hiking the Narrows at Zion.  National Geographic ranks it as the 5th best adventure in the United States, but in my book, it ranks even higher.  The Narrows hike is unique because you are in the Virgin River almost the whole time as you hike upstream through a canyon with walls that can be over 2,400 ft (730 m) strait up! We hiked around 3.5 miles (6 km) upstream and had lunch on a giant bolder and then went back downstream with exhausted legs and permanent smiles.

Can’t believe we packed in so many activities and locations in just 7 days.

Message me if you are thinking about visiting these parks and I’m happy to give advice and pointers.

The amazing Narrow's river hike in Zion National Park.
Capturing a sunbeam at Antelope Slot Canyon.
Hiking in Bryce Canyon National Park among the wacky hoodoos.


Bryce Canyon Point.  Sarah was decidedly non-compliant to my requests to line up for a photo.


Antelope Slot Canyon … I think this is where half of the worlds screensaver photos are taken.

View from our Zion patio.  I don’t think we missed a single sunset or sunrise.

Boating around Lake Powell, pontificating the Road Runner/Coyote backdrop.
The Virgin River in Zion ... it is a must see wonder of the world.