Tuesday, February 28, 2006

Chaco Canyon


Casa Rinconada Big Kiva, originally uploaded by Edgee.

After we spent the day driving in southwestern Colorado, we drove to Chaco Culture National Historic Park in New Mexico. The park contains ruins from the center of Chacoan culture, people who lived in northwestern New Mexico more than 1000 years ago. The ruins that were left behind, such as Chetro Ketl, and Pueblo Bonito, and Casa Rinconada, are interesting to walk through and imagine what this area was like 1000 years ago. One of the most famous features of the Chacoan Culture, are the giant kivas, like the one shown here. These were places of worship for the Chacoan people. Another interesting thing about this area are the smart ravens. They are so smart and coordinated, that they can open people’s tents.


Ed in a Small Doorway

Tuesday, February 21, 2006

Salt Lake City


The Temple, originally uploaded by Edgee.

We decided to go on a brief side trip to Salt Lake City. Our tent zipper was malfunctioning so we had to get back to civilization to get it fixed before we continued camping. While we were in Salt Lake City, we decided to tour the Temple Square, which is considered the most popular place to visit in the city. The centerpiece of the square is the Salt Lake Temple. It was cloudy the whole day until the evening when the sun shined through the clouds to light up the temple in a brilliant way. It had snowed heavily a few days ago so there was a lot of snow on the yards throughout the city. Salt Lake City is a beautiful city to visit, especially in the winter.

Monday, February 20, 2006

Snow in Arches National Park


Snowy Misty Morning, originally uploaded by Edgee.

We had the wonderful opportunity to experience snow in Arches National Park. The skies had been threatening rain or snow all day, but it didn’t really snow until night. We woke up to a winter wonderland. The white snow covered the beautiful red sandstones of Arches and the contrast made everything even more magnificent. We highly recommend Arches in winter, even if it is very cold at night and windy during the day.


Snowy Camp

Our campsite after the snow.

Friday, February 17, 2006

Delicate Arch


Delicate Arch and Us, originally uploaded by Edgee.

Delicate Arch is the park’s most famous arch and is the unofficial symbol for the state of Utah. The best time to hike the trail to Delicate Arch is right before sunset. The views from Delicate Arch are spectacular, with the arch framing the snow-capped mountains.


Delicate Arch

Click on any photo to see more pictures of Delicate Arch.

Delicate Arch and Clouds

Delicate Arch from the Delicate Arch Viewpoint.

Wednesday, February 15, 2006

Sun Behind Balanced Rock


Sun Behind Balanced Rock, originally uploaded by Edgee.

When I arrived at Arches National Park, my first impression was that the landscape was straight out of a Coyote and Roadrunner cartoon. One of the first things we saw was “Balanced Rock”. We will definitely stay here at the park for a little while.

Tuesday, February 14, 2006

Hiking among the Hoodoos


hiking out of the canyon, originally uploaded by Edgee.

After spending a day at Bryce Canyon, viewing the canyon from above, it was time to hike down into the canyon among the hoodoos along the Navajo Loop trail. The icy and steep trail took us down to an area called Wall Street, which is a narrow area between the hoodoos. Surprisingly, there are large Douglas-fir trees growing in these tight spaces. You can get a sense of scale and see how large the hoodoos can be while walking among them.


As seen from below
Hoodoo family
Navajo Loop Trail

Monday, February 13, 2006

Hoodoos from Bryce Point


Hoodoos from Bryce Point, originally uploaded by Edgee.

We slept well despite the temperature going down in the high teens. The next day we went to all the viewpoints in the park. The main features in Bryce Canyon National Park are the tall thin spires of rock called hoodoos. Bryce has the biggest concentration of hoodoos in the world. For me, Bryce is an alien and beautiful landscape that you have to experience for yourself.


Natural Bridge

Sunday, February 12, 2006

Camping in the Snow


standing in the moonlit snow, originally uploaded by Edgee.

When we arrived at Bryce Canyon National Park, we found that the campground had a lot of snow on the ground. We found a dry spot under a tree to pitch our tent. We were able warm up next to the campfire. The moon was full and with the snow on the ground it was bright enough to take pictures without a flash. Actually, this photograph was taken on a tripod with a long exposure with the moon and the fire lighting the scene.

Canyon Overlook


Us at Canyon Overlook, originally uploaded by Edgee.

On our way out of the park, we stopped to hike on the Canyon Overlook Trail. It is a short trail that ends at a great overlook of a large side canyon. Zion National Park is a beautiful place. While hiking on the many trails in the park we saw a large herd of mule deer. These deer have huge ears and that is probably why they are called mule deer. We also saw wild turkeys walking along the roadside.


Wild TurkeyMule Deer by the River


zion valley

Friday, February 10, 2006

Weeping Rock


Michelle Under Weeping Rock, originally uploaded by Edgee.

The next day, we visited a place in the park called Weeping Rock. The rock wall is “weeping” because groundwater is seeping through it almost constantly. It looks like it is raining under the overhang and the cold water splashes on park visitors as they walk close to the wall.

Thursday, February 09, 2006

Ed at Zion National Park


Ed with the tent, originally uploaded by Edgee.

We’re back on the road again after stopping in Phoenix to drop off our kayak. We won’t need it where we are going, at least in winter. We decided to head north into Utah and visit Zion National Park. We set up camp in the evening as the sun went down. The mountains change color to brilliant orange and red colors at sunset. The views from our campsite are spectacular.