The West Archives - Page 5 of 5 - ETB Travel Photography

Day 185 – San Juan Skyway (Part 2)

Day 185 of Year Long Road Trip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Animas Pass

We changed the pace a bit today and spent most of our time stopping at overlooks or wandering around old mining towns once I figured out Petey could hardly walk this morning. I planned a short hike, 0.6 mile, at Animas Overlook about five miles up the dirt road from our campground. The paved path led us along a nature trail to a view of snow capped mountains and the Animas River below. I had to coax Petey along and when I left the path in search of cache, he stood staring at me like I was crazy.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 184 – Monument Valley Meander (Part 3) and San Juan Skyways

Day 184 of Year Long Road Trip Following Scenic Byways in the USA

Hovenweep National Monument

The full moon glowed through the dust filled sky and the wind continued in force for a few more hours. Midway through the night, the gusts subsided and we awoke to a glorious day. As we left Hovenweep National Monument, we passed by prairie dogs, sheep, goats, and a herd dog as we headed south toward the Four Corners Monument, where we will say farewell to Utah and hello Colorado.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 181 – Zion Canyon Loop and Utah Byways (Part 4)

Day 181 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

After taking advantage of free wi-fi at the local Starbucks, we began the last portion of our loop drive around Zion National Park. Highway 14 winds its way between high canyon walls streaked in delicate cascades, beneath sandstone cliffs, along stream filled meadows, past icy blue lakes, and over a 9,000 foot pass blanketed in snow covered lava.

We made a variety of stops along the way to simply take in the views. A trucker, hauling a huge fork-lift, that had ignored the warning sign for semis to use a different route, helped influence some of my stops as I repeatedly caught up to him and the line of cars trailing him at half the posted speed limit.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 180 – Zion Canyon Loop – Part 3

Day 180 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Camping Near Zion National Park

As I mentioned in my previous post, I joined civilization, applied makeup for the first time in six weeks, and found a local sports bar to watch the Mavs game. Here I met Brian from Idaho. He has been on a six week road trip and has spent much of his time near Zion enjoying warm weather as it is mud season in his home town. What I was quite impressed with was his ability to find some land about twelve miles outside of town with a sign posted, “Use By Donation”.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 178 – Bryce Canyon Country (Part 3) and Zion Canyon Loop

Day 178 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

I suppose I haven’t mentioned people much in the last few days. I believe there are more foreigners than Americans in southern Utah. Germans, French, and Japanese seem to be most drawn to the natural wonders of the world. If I had to guess, several travel agents sell a package to the Grand Canyon and the National Parks in Utah.

I also met a few fellow Texans from the Austin area at Calf Creek Recreation Area. They opted not to take the whole hike to the falls, which was probably a good choice. They were on a three-month sabbatical with their ultimate destination being Alaska, so I’m certain they will find more falls while on their journey. I ran into them again in Bryce, some sixty miles away and a day later!

They commented that yesterday was the first hot day in the area and they simply felt tuckered out. I agreed. Being Texans we all laughed that a dry eighty degree day felt like a sauna to us. It is just an amazing reminder of how bodies adjust to conditions over time.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 177 – Bryce Canyon Country – Part 2

Day 177 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Bryce Canyon National Park

I spent the whole day in Bryce Canyon National Park, and it was fantastic. As I drove to the park, bright and early, the cloud covered sky sprinkled drops of rain. Just before the park entrance, I stopped at some forest land to let Petey water a few trees, and during our 5 minute stroll it started sleeting on us. I could see a few sections of blue sky beyond the black cloud, so I hoped for the best once I arrived at Bryce Point. As I continued a mile further, I saw a rain drop defy gravity and flutter upward in the wind…no, it was actually a snow flake. I saw only a smattering of snowflakes before I passed through some intermittent sprinkles and finally parked at Bryce Point where I prepared for a 5.5 mile hike.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!