Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Utah's National Parks

I thought I might share more photos of our road trip through Utah to illustrate clearly what a heavenly corner of the world it truly is!
.
The state is home to five of Americas most memorable National Parks and a number of National Monuments. Beyond that, each turn in the road offers vistas so varied and amazing that I was often rendered speechless by the sheer scope of its diversity.


 Zion National Park was first on the itinerary, its high jagged walls and river canyon nothing short of spectacular. It rained heavily when we were there, which lent the red soil an even more brilliant hue.

The storm followed us to Bryce Canyon National Park, but did nothing to diminish our absolute wonder at the sandstone formations, formed from the erosive force of water and wind over countless millennia.


Of them all, there is no question that Bryce
Canyon was my favourite.


To stand looking down at the world-renowned hoodoos is to realize fully the magical bounty of this wonderful planet we live on.

It simply defies description...

Equally mesmerizing is Arches National Park , with its graceful natural arches formed over the ages.

Providing a dramatic background to all was a sky of brilliant blue.

After years of seeing these land forms in pictures, I was ecstatic to be able to stand under them and marvel at their scale and scope.

Our last park was Canyonlands National Park, a magnificent area of which we saw little , so massive a size is it. I've been to the Grand Canyon, and can say unequivocally that Canyonlands is its equal in magnificence.











Upon leaving the parks and heading up to
Salt Lake City, the scenery continued to amaze us. The road would cut through massive walls of rock, only to suddenly open onto a breadth of fields and farms aglow with golden grass, and peppered with scattered herds of cattle.
.

We drove though forests, brilliantly bedecked in their autumn shades of red and gold. I grew particularly fond of the delicate aspen, and was delighted to find them growing even in the midst of an ancient lava bed.
In spite of how much we saw of Utah, it was not nearly enough...I'm already thinking of when we can go back to see the parks we missed...to drive up roads we did not get to travel. I do know we will need to allow much more time on a second trip...one day in each park does not begin to satisfy the need to see it all.

.
I can hardly wait until next time...
.

14 comments:

Ella said...

Gorgeous photos; I was amazed when we went through Utah heading to Alaska. It was remarkable, like God's hand had created magic that day! Amazing~

Debra She Who Seeks said...

What spectacular scenery! I've never even been to the Grand Canyon, let alone these magnificent areas!

Kay L. Davies said...

Oh, just gorgeous, Lynette, and not very far from Alberta. Dick has been thinking about road travel now that we have a dog. This would be a great destination. Thank you for the inspiration. Your photos are fabulous.
-- K

Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel

Sherry Blue Sky said...

Oh my goodness, so glorious. I especially love those natural arches, captivating. You must have been in heaven! Wonderful photos.

Unknown said...

Lynette,
When my husband was in medical school (eons ago!) we did a 6 week rotation in Monument Valley and lived on the reservation during that time period. It was stunningly beautiful and something I will never forget! We also went to Bryce canyon and took as many sight seeing trips as we could around Monument Valley. So fun to see your photos!
xo
lynn

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Lynette, this is just breathtaking. Absolutely breathtaking. Thanks for sharing these amazing photos with us. I feel as if I have been on a wonderful vacation!

XO,

Sheila :-)

Katy Cameron said...

More fab photos, I can see why you're saving your pennies again too!

adrielleroyale said...

You're making me want to travel the states! That says a lot considering I only consider a true vacation to be at an all inclusive resort somewhere like Mexico :) Beautiful shots!!

Barb said...

Hi Lynette,
Found your blog by way of TinsandTreasures. I happen to live in Utah and we just got back from Arches, Canyonlands, and Capital Reef National Parks. Your photography is beautiful. Needless to say the photos I posted pale in comparison to yours!
I will be following your adventures!
Barb

Bonnie said...

Awesome pictures. God has created many beautiful awesome places and you have captured them well.

Anonymous said...

Hello Lynette ~ thank you for stopping by my place and saying hello. I have browsed your two blogs and they are wonderful. I'm off to put this one on my blogroll. Nice to meet you!

Drawn to The Sea said...

Everyone says there's no way to truly understand the grandeur of that part of our world until you've actually seen it with your own eyes. Your photos are so spectacular, I can only imagine what the view must have been like for you standing there.

Gorgeous!

Kit said...

Wow! Incredible photos. And I agree, Bryce Canyon is the best of them all. Gorgeous. I haven't been down there in about 30 years. Thanks for taking me down Memory Lane. Kit

Brian Head said...

It's pretty there, for sure. I saw it just before coming down here again.

Brian Head