Bryce Canyon National Park

The last real day of the vacation was spent at Bryce Canyon National Park. What Beverly and I both remarked on was that you are surrounded by mountains, and trees, and then all of a sudden you are at this canyon with these hoodoos (those rock formations that are sticking up are called hoodoos). So, to the right is a picture of the amphitheater. There are hundreds of these hoodoos all over the place in this big bowl. It was a cool sight.

Something to note, it was COLD! I mean really, really cold. The temperature thing in the 4Runner said the temp was 20 degrees when we got there. I will admit that it did get up to 27 degrees, but the wind was strong and with the wind it was at least 10 or below.
In the picture to the right you see us all bundled up in hats, gloves, coats, etc. and I was STILL COLD. If you look closely you can see icicles in my mustache.









As the day went on the weather was WINDY AND COLD, but at least it was clear and sunny. So it was very scenic, and I would definitely like to go back some day. The trails were all too icy to hike very easily, and so we didn't get to see anything other then what you could see from the canyon top and lookout points.












The day was all but over, and we were walking around one last area, and Beverly saw this tree with snow on it and thought it looked like a Christmas tree, and in a picture a Christmas card. So, if we do Christmas cards next year (well later this year) it may be the picture below.
The trip was a blast, and I would highly recommend it to others. God Bless!

Zion National Park

The next day we headed to Zion National Park. It was a nice hour and a half drive. Once there we decided to purchase a national parks pass for the year since we were going to 2 back to back and basically just need to go to one more "kinda big" national park to pay for itself and then some. So, sometime in the next year we will be going to at least one national park.

Once inside it was very snowy, and the road was pretty icy. So, it was slow driving into the park. But once in to the base of the canyon we got out and walked some. To the left is a picture some that first walk. It was a nice clear day which was a blessing from God, because the day before it was snowy, cloudy and just plan nasty.







Then we went on another hike that took up up the side of some of the canyon, and it was a nice hike. There was a waterfall that we had to cross that I don't know how you would cross it if it wasn't low water season. Maybe they close the trail in high water times. But from that waterfall we took the picture you see above. As you can see the snow level was high up on the mountains, but that was basically where we started from at the beginning of the day.


We hiked some more, and it was a splended day over all. We were staying in a hotel right outside the park so we didn't have to leave until sunset. To the right is a picture of us at sunset on our way climbing out of the canyon.









When we were almost out of the park the sun was just about totally down when we looked behind us and saw the sunsetting, and decided to stop and take a few more pictures. Since we had the tripod (so I could take large format pictures) it was easy to get the long exposure pictures of the sunset.

We made it to the hotel, which was nice, and then got a good night sleep so we could get to Bryce Canyon as early as possible the next day.

Page, Arizona - and the surrounding area

Sorry for the delay. I wanted Beverly's opinion on the pictures to put up here.

So, we went up to the Page, AZ area right after Christmas. Beverly wanted to get to somewhere cold for a few days. She had never been there and I hadn't been there in a long time. Also, I know there would be opportunities to go off road a little bit with the 4Runner. We got up there and it was cold. We checked into our hotel and got some dinner, and that was it for that day.

The next day we headed out to an outlook of Glen Canyon, Glen Canyon Damn, and Lake Powell. It was quite nice and we took a few pictures. WE walked along a path, and found this nice place to take a picture of the two of us.











Then we headed north, over the bridge and towards a dirt road I wanted to take for the day. There was another nice pull out, and Beverly took the above picture of Lake Powell. Also at this location while I was standing around and Beverly was taking lots of pictures she took a picture of our 4Runner. She said it just looked too much like a Toyota commercial. So, here is that picture as well. What do you think?









We then got to the dirt road I wanted to drive along, and it was a nice drive. We got out and hiked once, but mostly just admired the scenery. It was a very nice day which was good, because there was a good chance for rain and possibly snow that day. The picture I liked for this section is this one to the left. I really liked the clouds, and the way the light was hitting the mountain.

That was the whole day. We got back, and decided to change our plans for the trip. We decided to drive to Zion National Park the next day, and sleep somewhere near there, and then go to Bryce Canyon National Park the following day, and then head home the day after that.

A Full Update till Now

Hello all,

I know it has been a while since I have written so I will update you all on all that has been going on.

Beverly GRADUATED from ASU!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She now has her Master's Degree in Chemical Engineering. We are actually having a graduation party for her on January 20th at our house from 3-5.


The Christmas season went well. We got to see family from all sides. God is so wonderful to provide us with the ability to see everyone. Celebrating Jesus' birth is so awesome.

Right after Christmas Beverly and I went on vacation for a few days. We went to Page, AZ, Zion National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park. Then next few posts will focus on that trip.