Day 58 - March 9, 2024

Today we left Flagstaff. Trisha went on her way to Antelope Canyon, then place TBD. Bud E. and I came to Brian Head, Utah. Brian Head is a ski resort at over 10,000 feet in elevation. So, we go from 7,000 feet and very little snow, through desert and warm to cold (-8 C tonight) and loads of snow. In one day.

On the way we made a little detour into Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park. Several shots of dune buggies and dirt bikers doing their thing. As we got closer to Brian head, we saw a pair of Bald Eagles. And snow. Lots and lots of snow.

Day 59 - March 10, 2024

What a day! An adventure to say the least. Bryce Canyon is magnificent. Joy and I spent a couple hours here in January 2018, but we just drove the top and looked over at the beauty below. Today I was determined to hike to the bottom if it killed me. And it almost did. Well, Bud E. anyway. I almost lost him.

I placed Bud E. on the log to get him “looking” at the view. There were two ladies there and I explained the Bud E. story to them and mentioned that I was nervous about this as a little gust of wind, and he would go over. I got the shot, reached for him and it happened. The gust of wind and he was tumbling down a very, very steep embankment. It was like watching a horror movie in slow motion as he tumbled from on rock to another before coming to a rest about 80 to 100 feet down. I was in shock. I don’t know if I would have been able to get down that very steep hill and then even if I did, back up again. The two ladies looked at each other, said we can do this, and before I knew what was happening, they had taken off their backpacks, discarded the walking poles and were heading down. I was sure I was going to have to call the rangers for rescue. But they got to him and brought him back up. I am forever grateful to Joelle and Karen (I think that is what they said their names were). Bud E. will not be in a situation like that ever again without a tether.

The trail I took is 2.2 miles with an elevation change of 655 feet down (65 story building) and what goes down, must come back up. For an old guy with a lifetime fear of heights this was a challenge. Especially since the trail is narrow, winding along cliffs, very wet and muddy and in many places sheer ice. Without my ice cleats, I would not have even tried it. Anyway, it was worth it. The views are spectacular!

After the hike, I drove further up Highway 12. A few good views and I came across a hotel with a pretend drive-in theatre with old cars and Airstream trailers for rooms. And some domed structures that I have no idea what they are.

Day 60 - March 11, 2024

Due to the unpredictability of the weather forecast in Brian Head (anywhere from 10 to 40 cm of snow in the next couple days), and I didn’t want to be stranded at over 10,000 feet in a spring storm, we headed for St. George, Utah today. This means a hotel instead of a condo, but the weather forecast is much better, and we have good access to Zion National Park. I did get a shot of a Red Tailed Hawk and a lava field on the way to Zion.

After Canyonlands, Arches, Sedona, Grand Canyon, Bryce you wonder what more there is to see. How about Zion? Spectacular! Our drive today was through the park including a long tunnel that was an engineering marvel when built in the 1920s, lots of switchbacks and some very unusual rock formations. I did a mile hike to a canyon overlook. Well, almost. The trail was narrow and steep, but I made it almost to the end, but the last section was only a foot or two wide, with no railing and a steep drop. While I have done a fairly good job recently of ignoring my 70-year-old fear of heights, this was a bridge too far. However, while I didn’t get the shot with the valley below the cliffs, I almost like this shot as much as it leaves the viewer wondering.

It is spring break. Don’t come here during spring break. It is nuts. It have been advised to arrive at the park before 7:30 if I want a place to park so I can take the shuttle (the only way into the canyon). So, an early day tomorrow.

Day 61 - March 12, 2024

Up at 5:00 to be at Zion National Park by 7:00. That’s the trick. The parking lot was only 1/3 full and I caught the second bus into the canyon. My first hike was about 3 miles with a 200-foot elevation gain. Not too bad at all. And beautiful. I also got a couple shots of a beautiful Scrub jay. On the way up, I think I only saw 15 or 20 other people. Coming down, I saw that many every 50 yards. The advantages of getting up early.

Then I took the 1-mile trail (paved), to The Narrows. I thought Bud E. would be a little shy after the adventure the other day but no, he was out there. But I made sure he was not being risky!

So, we were done hiking (I had enough), so back to St. George for a few shots.

Day 62 - March 13, 2024

On from St. George, UT to Pahrump, NV to prepare for Death Valley tomorrow. On the way, we stopped for several hours at Valley of Fire State Park, northeast of Las Vegas. This formerly little-known park (very busy today) is a hidden gem. Yes, the rocks are the colours you see. The sun seems to make them glow. There are some interesting plants that are blue in colour and loads of small lizards. Bud E. loved the park.

Then, to get to Pahrump, a drive through the centre of Las Vegas. I-15 is under construction and traffic was at a standstill. So, I headed off to smaller, interior roads and made it through the big city. I did get a couple shots of some Air Force jets over Vegas.

Not much to see in Pahrump, so I am looking forward to Death Valley tomorrow.

Day 63 - March 14, 2024

Death Valley. It is one of the most inhospitable environments on earth. It claims to be the hottest. And one of the driest (the water seen here is undrinkable). It is the 8th lowest point as well at 282 ft (855 meters) below sea level.

But it is beautiful. Even with the wind howling (if I didn’t park the car facing the right way, I almost couldn’t open the door), and the dust flying obscuring the visibility, the rock formations and colours are amazing. And life manages. Plants, trees (sort of), birds, insects and amphibians thrive. Incredible. There are sand dunes and mountains, canyons and salt flats. And incredible colours. The rocks and minerals contrast to create a kaleidoscope of colour. There is a 9-mile drive called “Artist’s Palette”. However, I don’t want to be here in July. Average temperature is 48 C (118.4 F) and the record is 54.4 C (129.9 F). Just a tad too warm for me.

Day 64 - March 15, 2024

There are two ways to get from Point “A” to Point “B”. The direct route is the fastest but Point “A” to Point “C”, Point “D”, Point “E” then Point “B” is way more fun. Today I decided to ignore the GPS and travel Highway 178 from Ridgecrest to Sequoia National Park and on to Bass Lake. I am so glad I did. The Kern Canyon drive is wonderful. First, Joshua trees. Then lakes, rivers, waterfalls, mountains and valleys. Pools of water with wonderful reflections.

Then on to the Sequoia National Park. You climb from 1,000 feet to over 6,000 feet and look up at 14,500 feet. Massive trees (more later) and beautiful scenery. The road (I learned today) opened yesterday. The road was great but there is still lots of snow around. But the weather was perfect.

Now the trees. Giant Sequoias are the largest trees (by volume, Giant Redwoods can be taller) on the planet. So, to put it into perspective, imagine a large Poplar tree beside your 2-storey house. It is twice as high as your house. So about 50 or 60 feet high. Big tree, right? Not so much.

At 275 feet tall, the General Sherman Tree is as tall as three blue whales are long. It’s just thirty feet shorter than the Statue of Liberty. It weighs over 2,000 tons, the same weight as 400 elephants. Its base measures 36 feet in diameter. It is estimated to be between 2,300 and 2,700 years old. General Grant, the second tree featured here, is almost as tall at 268 feet.