From the footpaths, a different perspective

This is a bit of different kind of travelogue for me. Our last full day in Zion Canyon was essentially up to us, so my wife and I filled it up on foot, hiking the easy and some not so easy trails that meander through Zion Canyon. The Virgin River had recently receded from flooding rains, and the whole place was thoroughly alive.

All this walking around was invigorating, yet somewhat humbling, too, as if we were treading somewhere on the planet where we could bring back memories, if we could just catch enough of the sights and colors to make us remember the sounds and smells of a most magnificent trip. Enjoy!

Looking up. The first of our Zion Canyon Experience.

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The first thing that strikes you as you drive into Zion Canyon, is that, unlike the Grand Canyon and Bryce Canyon, your major direction of awe is upwards. For in Zion Canyon, you arrive on the floor of the canyon, with the majestic formations rising up all around you. As you can see, with the exception of photo number 7, the scenery draws you upward. (And just to warn you, the better pictures are to come in the next session).

OK, here's where I need your help.

As we headed toward Zion Canyon, we made a stop at Bryce Canyon. As you can see photogenic hardly begins to describe the place. And I had a very hard time picking out photos to show. So, what I'm asking is that you vote for your own three favorites. Well, here they are...

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Anyway, enjoy!9

Lake Powell, Antelope Canyon and Glenn Canyon Dam

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The next leg on our western adventure was a more relaxing one, with mostly sight-seeing. We stayed at the Glenn Canyon Resort, and we were taken on a boat ride through Antelope Canyon, which is not very well known, but it is definitely worth seeing, as it is unlike anything else you'll ever see (photos 2 - 4). The landscape is forbidding and seems otherworldly. Then we visited Glenn Canyon Dam, which is less awesome than Hoover Dam, but, nevertheless turned out to be instructional (not terribly photogenic, in my view), and worth the visit. Well, the next segment will be spectacular...

Monument Valley - Rocks, John Wayne, and the Weather

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Well, moving away from the Grand Canyon was bound to be a bit of a let-down. But actually, it turned out that there are so many wonders in the Southwest, that we actually got wrapped up in the scenery around us and the stories. After a lunch at the Monument Valley resort (where you can get the best Navajo tacos anywhere), we went off for a guided tour, and learned about the native customs, the rocks and their significance, something about John Wayne and the other Hollywood types that have come and gone from Monument Valley. Then we were treated to some real treats - namely the weather, which played quite a role of its own in a majestic interplay with the rocks, the sand, our clothes and hair. It was really worth the trip!

The Grand Canyon, Day Two

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These are but a few of the photos from day two of our adventure in the Grand Canyon. I only picked out the eight pictures to show the incredible variety that a day at the Canyon has to offer. There are so many more...