Gallivanting Grandma

Sunday, September 15, 2013

We left Springdale, Utah about nine o’clock and drove north again along Route 9.  The weather was clear and about 60 degrees.  The morning sun was at a great angle to take more photographs of the sandstone mountains around us.  We took more photos as we traveled north.

View Along Route 9 North

Incredible Monoliths

Beautiful Rocks

Soon after we drove out of Zion National Park, the earth flattened and we drove through many miles of meadows and farmlands.

Red Canyon

Another View of the Red Canyon

Along the Road Up to Bryce Canyon

Storm Brewing Near the Top

View From Rainbow Point: Elevation 9115 Feet

Millions of Years of Erosion

Amazing

Hoodoos

Threatening Thunder Storm

Clearing After the Rain

Bryce Canyon View

Hoodoos in a Row

Hoodoo Up Close

Across Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon Lodge

Lobby of the Bryce Canyon Lodge

Overlook at Cedar Breaks National Monument

Cedar Breaks National Monument

Another View of Cedar Breaks N. M.

Welcome To Brian Head

We spent the night at Brian Head, Utah because every other decent hotel was sold out within a 50 mile radius of Bryce Canyon.  As we drove down the side of the mountain (elevation: 11,307 feet) we soon discovered that Brian Head is a ski resort “town.”  It was an alpine village with only ski hotels and condos, which were all closed for the summer season.  At the end of the road was the DoubleTree which held our reservation.  It seemed to be the only open establishment in town.  It was a charming knotty-pine ski chalet-type hotel.  A little weird for this time of year, but clean and comfortable for us.   

Saturday, September 14, 2013

We decided to stay one more day in Springdale to see another part of Zion National Park.  Almost three million people visit the park annually so automobiles are limited to campers and guests at the Lodge.  The National Park Service provides frequent all-day shuttle buses from the Visitor’s Center up to the Temple of Sinawava.  The red road meanders along the Virgin River and makes several scenic stops along the way.

Part of the Visitor’s Center

Shuttle Bus

We parked the car in Springdale and took one of the Shuttle buses that run from the town to the Visitor’s Center.  It is a Saturday and we saw a long line of cars waiting at the park entrance.  The bus was efficient, convenient, and easy.

Wide Part of the Canyon

Toward the River

The bus had an informative recorded commentary describing the prominent monoliths and hiking trails.  The incredibly beautiful red rocks were giant sand dunes millions of years ago.  We rode to the last stop and got out to explore and take photographs.

Fiery Rock

Along the Sand Stone Canyon

The Virgin River

We walked along an easy trail which followed the river.  It was a pleasant walk because the trail happened to be in the shade at this time of day.

Mule Deer

Another View

Amazing Rocks

Near the Lodge

After a while, we walked back to catch the shuttle bus back down the canyon.  It was well past lunchtime, so we stopped at the restaurant near the Zion Lodge.  It was good to sit after our long walk.  We had a pleasant lunch of quinoa salad and tacos then we waited for another shuttle bus to return to Springdale.

The Lodge and Cabins

Afternoon Light

I’m happy that we stayed another day to visit another part of Zion National Park.  It is an incredibly beautiful natural site to see and explore.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Late last night we flew into Las Vegas, Nevada to begin our self-guided tour of several national parks in the southwestern part of the U.S.  Jeff had made a one-night reservation for us at the Four Seasons Hotel because it was advertised as a quiet, no-casino, no glitz, centrally located hotel.  It was actually located on the top five floors of the Mandalay Bay Hotel which had lots of glitz, twenty-two restaurants, many shops, and a 135,000 square foot casino.

Four Seasons & Mandalay Bay Hotels

Lobby of the Mandalay Bay Hotel

The lobby of the Four Seasons was quiet, peaceful, and tastefully decorated.  This morning, we went downstairs to explore Mandalay Bay.  It was crowded with lots of people and loud music was everywhere.  We discovered that the casino was empty at 8:00 o’clock in the morning.  We had breakfast at Raffles and took a walk outside.

Huge Casino

View of the Luxor Hotel

The Excalibur Hotel

Casino

Afterwards, we checked out and retrieved our rental car and drove down the famous “Strip” to see the other hotels.  Las Vegas is an amazing city with an incredible number of huge hotels and gambling establishments.

Las Vegas Boulevard. aka “The Strip”

New York, New York

Part of The Paris Hotel

The temperature was heating up over 90 degrees.  We drove through North Las Vegas and found an entrance onto Route 15 and continued north to Utah.  The land just outside the city of Las Vegas was flat barren desert.  The speed limit on the highway was 75 mph.

Driving Through the Desert

Advertisement Outside Las Vegas

Route 15 continues through the northwestern corner of Arizona before going into Utah.  The land became more mountainous as we continued northward.

Arizona Landscape

Southern Utah

Springdale, Utah is the small town at the entrance of Zion National Park.  It is a tiny community of hotels, restaurants, and hiking outfitters which service the needs of the people who visit the park.

View From Our Hotel Room in Springdale, UT

Inside Zion National Park

Zion National Park is preserved land which has two main parts.  One section straddles Route 9 and cars are able to drive along the road and stop at several turnouts.  There are numerous trailheads for hikers and lookouts for drivers.  The other section is off-limits to private cars.  Visitors must part their cars at the Visitor’s Center and take the free shuttle bus into the park. The road meanders along the Virgin River for about 12 miles making several scenic stops.

Rock Formation in Zion N.P.

Desert Flowers

Ribbons of Color

View of Mountains

Mountain Sheep Crossing the Road

Grazing

White Rocks

Spicy Dinner at the Whiptail Grill

We had a tasty southwestern dinner at the Whiptail Grill.  I had spaghetti squash enchiladas with salad and beans.  Jeff had spicy chicken enchiladas.  The temperature had cooled so we ate outside as the sun set over the mountains.  We had a great day from glitz to glorious.