Tuesday 10th December
Peter flew to Sacramento early and we were organised and
away by 9.30am. Picked up the car which meant I had to drive the jeep home
which was fine. Headed away on the freeway and arrived at St George about 3pm
after a gorgeous drive through the Virgin Canyon with a lunch stop overlooking
dramatic clay-coloured cliffs in snow. The snow was deep by St George and had
camera trouble with the lens not closing so we stopped at Best Buy in St George
but they had no suitable cameras so decided just to use my tablet instead.
Carried on to Springdale, arriving on dark with gorgeous
Christmas lights in the streets amongst the deep snow on the houses and the
sides of the roads. Found the Pioneer Inn in the dark and settled into our
three bedroom apartment which was amazing and I made frittata for dinner and
Lucy and Hugh had a room each which was a treat.
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| Lunch stop at the spectacuar Virgin Canyon |
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| Arriving to Springdale |
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| Pioneer Lodge, Springdale |
Wednesday 11th December
Set off after breakfast and had a coffee at Oscar’s Café in Springfield before heading to Zion National Park. Went to the Visitor Centre first and then headed up the valley. Went to the Zion Canyon and walked to the Three Patriarchs viewpoint and then towards the Emerald Pools. Absolutely stunning walk in sunshine and snow. Trail was closed beyond the frozen waterfall so we returned, making it about an hour’s walk. We continued up the road, stopping for lunch under towering red cliffs. Reached the end of the road at the Temple of Sinawava and walked the Riverside Walk. Shadier and again, the track was closed where the gorge narrowed so again walked about an hour return.
Continued then out of the canyon and up onto Highway 89 through the tunnels. Spectacular snowy icy road. Arrived to Bryce canyon about 5pm after a spectacular drive through rock and then a huge snowy basin high above where horses and buffalo were grazing. Spectacular. Settled into the lovely Bryce Canyon Best Western Hotel where we stayed. Had microwaved ravioli for dinner.
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| Oscar's Cafe, Springdale |
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| Cafe carpark, Springdale |
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| Wild deer at the Zion National Park Visitor Centre |
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| The Three Patriarchs, Zion National Park |
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| Patriarchs Walk |
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| Emerald Pools Trail |
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| Deer on trail |
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| End of the line! |
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| Typical Zion cliffs |
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| Temple of Sinawava carpark |
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| Riverside Trail at the Narrows |
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| Hugh and Lucy at the river |
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| Crazy Zionists |
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| Tunnel out of Zion |
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| View on other side of tunnel |
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| Buffalo Ranch on way to Bryce Canyon |
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| Low sun on red rocks |
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| Icy sunset near Bryce canyon township |
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| Pulling into Bryce Canyon township for the night |
Thursday 12th December
Spectacular day at Bryce Canyon. Had a gorgeous breakfast at the hotel and then went to the Bryce Canyon Visitor Centre. Went to Sunset Point and we were all blown away (John and I for the second time) by the absolutely amazing view from the carpark viewpoint. Continued to be amazed as we walked around the Rim trail to Sunrise Point and then descended to the canyon and along the Queen’s Trail which was spectacular and beautiful. The kids did some rubbings which got them a Bryce Canyon badge when they returned. The walk took about two and a half hours and then we returned to the car for lunch. Sat at a picnic table in the snow. Glorious stunningly sunny day.
Continued to Inspiration Point and the viewpoints there and Bryce Point. Returned to the Visitor Centre and departed about 3.30pm. Headed back onto Highway 12 and were amazed at the dramatic scenery that unfolded, as well as the dramatic rises and falls of the road – at one stage driving along a ridge line! Saw deer and cattle and a huge herd of elk at twilight and eventually darkness fell as we ascended the last pass in 16 degree fareinheit temperatures – well below zero. Deep snow on both sides and glistening frost. The pass was 9600 feet.
Emerged from Highway 12 at the intersection in Torrey and our hotel was directly opposite – Days Inn. The lady upgraded us to a bigger room and we had soup for dinner and watched Love Actually on tv. Lovely relaxing time. Big day but stunning.
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| Hotel lobby at Bryce Canyon |
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| Bryce canyon township |
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| Entering the park |
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| First view of Bryce Canyon |
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| Bryce Canyon |
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| Bridget and John at Rim Trail |
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| Overlook |
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| Overlook in other direction |
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| Lucy on trail to the Hoodoos |
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| John, Hugh and Hoodoos |
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| John and Hugh walking trail to the Hoodoos |
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| Hugh approaching tunnel |
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| Lucy amongst the Hoodoos |
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| Hobbit and Queen Victoria Rock at left behind |
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| Snowy trail |
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| Looking up |
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| Climbing back out of canyon |
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| Hugh and Lucy coming up out of canyon |
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| Bryce Point |
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| Inspiration Point |
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| Lucy at Inspiration Point |
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| Driving from Bryce Canyon to Torrey |
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| Road winding towards Torrey |
Friday 13th December
We had breakfast at Torrey at the Days Inn. Headed away to Capitol
Reef National Park. The scenery was different again and we stopped at The
Chimney first and then at the Visitor Centre where we watched a good film.
Carried on to the old Mormon settlement with orchards, an old homestead and a
school – really interesting. Also looked
at some old abandoned uranium mines. Settled to go on the Hickman Bridge walk
which involved an awesome hike through the river canyon up onto a plateau and
then on to the arch. It was wonderful. A bit overcast and exceptionally cold, but
really varied and interesting.
Drove on to Hanksville and had lunch at a diner called
Blondies – the only place open amongst MILES of nothing but snow. It was
actually really good and a welcome stop before driving on to Moab.
Stopped at Valley of the Goblins State Park on the way for
about an hour in thick snow and it was really cool. REALLY COLD – minus 7
degrees C but really amazing. Lots of photos!
Arrived in Moab on dark and found the Super 8 Motel and ate
burgers from Denny’s next door. Home to bed.
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| Lucy at Chimney Rock, Capitol Reef National Park |
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| Hugh and John |
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| Chimney Rock |
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| Capitol Reef National park Visitor Centre |
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| Old Mormon settlement and orchard |
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| Capitol Reef cliffs |
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| Fruita School House |
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| Hickman Bridge Walk |
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| Lucy above road at Hickman Bridge |
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| Eroded hilltops |
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| Hickman Bridge Walk |
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| John in Hickman Bridge Gorge |
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| Under the archway |
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| Above and below... |
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| Ice puddle |
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| Looking back down gorge |
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| Find Lucy... |
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| Lucy approaching arch |
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| Hugh and Lucy at the arch |
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| Working out how the arch is held up.... |
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| Loop descent from arch |
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| Hugh on rock plateau |
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| Lucy |
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| Near Hanksville - middle of nowhere |
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| Petrol! |
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| Nearing the Valley of the Goblins |
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| Goblins! |
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| Valley of the Goblins |
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| Minus 7 degrees Celcius! |
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| Lucy, Hugh and friends |
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| John and friends |
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| Lucy and Hugh trying to merge into scenery |
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| Cold return to the car |
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| Roadside attraction |
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| Sunset near Moab |
Sunday 15th December
Had breakfast at Super 8 and packed up. We went to
Canyonlands National Park. It was very beautiful in the snow and sunshine. We
watched a film at the Visitor Centre. Walked to Mesa Arch which was amazing and
then to the Upheaval Crater – which they now think was formed from a meteor.
Had lunch in the snow at the Crater carpark.
Drove back to Moab and grabbed groceries and petrol and had
a coffee. Carried on down to Monument Valley – arriving at sunset. Very
beautiful. Gouldings Lodge was cool and we went to a free screening of John
Wayne’s Stagecoach movie in the little theatre there as it was filmed in
Monument Valley. It was great –we were the only ones there!
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| First view of Canyonlands |
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| Mesa Arch |
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| View through Mesa Arch |
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| Steep cliff drop-off |
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| Lucy and Hugh exploring Mesa Arch |
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| Canyonlands - Island in the Sky area |
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| John and Hugh at lookout |
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| Canyonlands |
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| More Canyonlands |
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| Upheaval Dome - probable meteor site |
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| Last sun on road out of Moab |
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| First sight of Monument Valley at sunset |
Monday 16th December
We visited the Gouldings Lodge museum and shop. Lots of John Wayne memorabilia and pictures of him staying there. We then embarked on the 17 mile loop drive around Monument Valley which was really a rally drive with lots of challenging terrain for the Ford Focus. Had lunch at the Artist’s Palette rest stop half way round.
Drove to the Grand Canyon. Long drive and stopped in Tuba City for a coffee late afternoon. Arrived in Tusayan at 6.30pm in the dark. Watched Night at the Museum in our hotel room. Bed.
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Monument Valley from our hotel room
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John Wayne's Cabin at Goulding's Lodge
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Stagecoach
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The Mittens, Monument Valley
Geronimo's Flag
17 Mile Drive
Praying for Rain?
Desert, Monument Valley
17 Mile Drive
Near Artist's Palette
Waiting for vultures
Tuesday 17th December
We had breakfast – very busy – at the Holiday Inn. Arrived at the Grand Canyon Visitor Centre about 10am and settled on doing the South Kaibab Trail. Caught a shuttle bus there and realised it was the same trail John and I had gone right down to the river on 13 years ago. It was great and we went to Skeleton Point and back in four and a half hours. Had lunch at the Point and watched mules carting gear coming up.
Returned to the Visitor Centre and had had coffee at the café. Walked to the Yavapai Point Geology Museum along the Rim Walk as the sun set – gorgeous. The museum was really interesting and we caught the bus back from there in the dark.
Microwaved instant pasta for dinner and watched The Three Stooges film – funny.
Grand Canyon Shuttle bus
Start of South Kaibab Trail
Ooh Aah Point
Lucy at Ooh Aah Point
Cedar Point
Hugh on South Kaibab Trail
Hugh at Skeleton Point looking over Colorado River
Donkey train ascending the trail
Mules coming past
Grand Canyon
Looking back from South Kaibab Trail
John, Lucy and Bridget
Lookout on Rim Trail
Visiting mules on Rim Trail
Sun setting on Rim Trail
Wednesday 18th December
Returned to the Grand Canyon and caught the shuttle to the
Bright Angel Trail as we were told the day before about some petroglyphs there
by a man we met on the trail – who had also shown us some fossilised dinosaur
tracks. The trail was icy but made it down to the second tunnel and back and
Lucy found the petroglyphs which were amazing – elk and other animals and
people in red well above the track.
Had a picnic lunch back at the Visitor Centre and then a
coffee at the café before watching another excellent film at the Visitor
Centre. Headed off to Flagstaff after that – went up over a high plain at the
end with lots of snow on the surrounding roadside. Drove 38 miles out of
Flagstaff to the Meteor Crater. Gulped at the admission price but went in
anyway and it was a very weird thing and really quite incredible. Massive
meteor crater – 24 football fields could fit in the bottom with two million
spectators up the sides. Spent an hour there and drove back to our hotel in
Flagstaff. Had passed a Mexican place so went there for dinner which turned out
to be very cool and obviously THE Mexican to go to in Flagstaff as had to wait
10 minutes for a table. It was great and we sat in a booth with Christmas
lights and it had a great salsa bar and
the service was fabulous.
Bright Angel Trail, Grand Canyon
Bright Angel Trail
Lucy and icicles on trail
Petroglyphs above track
Meteor Crater, Flagstaff
Thursday 19th December
Packed up and drove back to Las Vegas with a quick stop at
Kingman for a Starbucks coffee. Had a stop at a rest area above Lake Mojave and
then arrived at the Hoover Dam. Really amazing new bridge which we walked
across and then drove down and walked across the road across the dam.
Drove back into Boulder, Vegas and to Peter and Monique’s,
arriving about 5pm. Relaxing evening catching up.
Hoover Dam
Lake Mead behind Hoover Dam
Lucy, Hugh and John on Hoover Dam
Lucy at Hoover Dam Monument
Memorial to dam builders and the new bridge behind
Arizona border at Hoover Dam
Friday 20th December
Packed, did washing, went to Boca Park to do some messages
with Monique. We went to Sambalatte which was lovely for afternoon tea and then
went home. Peter finished work early for Christmas and we went out for dinner
to Claim Jumper which was really good fun.
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