Valley of Fire State Park

This is a scenic state park about 50 miles northeast of Las Vegas.  The multi-colored rocks in seemingly endless shapes and formations make it a great destination.  Hollywood has shot a number of movies here and they were filming a car commercial during my stay.

Lastly, I used Google's Sky Map on my smartphone to identify planets and major stars/constellations in the night sky.  What a great app!

My campsite

Petroglyphs

Narrow "slot canyon"

Helicopter filming car commercial

Bryce Canyon National Park

It's all about the Hoodoos (pinnacle or odd-shaped rocks left standing by the forces of erosion).  To give you some idea of how beautiful this canyon is, I took 144 photos, the most of any park to date.  Unfortunately, I did not have time to hike the trails within the park which in my opinion would be the best way to view the Hoodoos.

Click on photos to enlarge

Zion National Park

If you enter Zion from the west gate, you can either stay on Highway 9 through the tunnel and exit the east gate or take the shuttle bus up the scenic drive.  I took the shuttle in order to hike from the Vistor's Center to the lower, middle, & upper emerald pools to the Grotto and then the riverside walk from the Temple of Sinawava.

Lizard Lunch

Climbers

Climbers

If you have food, the squirrels are on you like Harley riders on chrome...

Grand Canyon North Rim

This was my first visit to the north rim and I must say I like it more than the south rim.  First, it is much less crowded and second, there are numerous trails that take you right up to the edge of the canyon walls - in some places you look straight down!  Be sure to drive out to Point Imperial and Cape Royal for more spectacular views of the canyon.

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Angels Window

Angels Window Walkway

It's A Small World

Tonight, while having dinner in Hurricane, UT, Dick and Phyllis, a couple that I met at the campground in Rapid City over a month ago, walked in.  It turns out they had been to Cody and Moab also.  Must be the "Great Minds" principle at work.

Valley of the Gods

About ten years ago I visited Monument Valley on my motorcycle but skipped the Valley of the Gods because it involved a dirt/gravel road.  Today, I drove my truck through the Valley and was impressed with what I saw.  The only thing I did not like was the washboard surface that nearly jolted the fillings out of my teeth.

Click on photos to enlarge

The surprise of the day was the climb up the mountain on Highway 261 as I exited the Valley.  It was almost like the Shafer Trail.