camping in capitol reef

We pulled in just before sunset and had nice afternoon sun to set up camp and walk around these colorful trees that were part of an orchard that the campground sits near.
[ capitol reef camping ]

sweet campsite...

We drove into town to grab some food and drink, and spotted some classic scenery.

One of my favorite formations in the area, I call it "the castle."

There were deer everywhere. I felt rather touristy stalking the deer for a good pic, but I was good and didn't bother him too much. He never got up and moved. He was used to the dorks with cameras.

We drove a scenic road for a quick out and back ten mile jaunt and found neverending red rock.

We did spot this unusually striped rock...

My '95Toyota. Been to AK and back, and many times to UT and all around CO and KS.

Dina took over the camera for these next few pics. She's a great photographer... when I let go of the camera.

We decided to go up this steep trail for a while.

I make myself turn around and look where I came from, to remember the way back, and another way to take a moment to realize where I'm at and take it all in.

We stopped off at this little store, where they had fresh made pie and ice cream. A perfect post-hike snack before hitting the road again.

moqui marbles around escalante

Iron oxide concretions (Moqui marbles)

Allysia took us a bend in the road, got out and started hiking. We did follow a road for a bit of a sand slog, but then came out onto some nice hard rock to explore around. The Moqui marbles were everywhere.

Softer layers were eroding, exposing the moqui marbles. These look like they were washed into this crease.

Cool stripes...

Amazing terrain of the Grand Staircase National Monument


Jake had found this waterhole and had gotten himself out and rejoined us. We later came across it, and he was then having problems getting out. Lizzie didn't want to get in because Jake was whimpering. Allysia had to finally help pull him out. The sides were slick from the water. We don't know how deep it was.

Trying to bushwack down a tight spot... We ended up turning around here. I stepped on a small section and broke off, making a lot of noise and reminding us that this rock is very fragile.

Cool shadows and textures in the sand... we also saw tiny footprints from some lizards or something all over as well.

hiking in bryce's canyon, utah

Dina and I drove to Bryce Canyon National Park with a not-so-great weather forecast. We had a 40% chance of rain and clouds. We woke up and decided to go for it anyway.

[ bryce canyon national park ]

We hiked along the edge of the rim before dropping down. Amazing views everywhere you look.

There's some folks for scale on the far left. You don't want to slip here.

Dina taking off a layer, warmin' up as the clouds start to burn off.

We came across a section of cairns, which we thought was cool that they even allowed them to stand. We met another couple who told us of a beach in California, where they allow this as well. They said it was a kids paradise, as they just built them everywhere on the beach. We'll have to go there someday too.

Rock cairn family. Look on the bottom left, there's even the dog. or maybe it's a cat.

our contribution to the scene

I talked Dina into an extra three miles on what turned out to be the best part of the hike.

It was hot down here! I should've worn shorts. Oh well. Just look how blue that sky is!

Dina's thinkin' "I'm leaving him here to take yet another pic."

nature's container

Dina in front of the Wall of Windows

one of my favorite pics of the day

We walked up these switchbacks after hiking up, then down.

Clouds stayed away all day.

Starting the hike out...

We didn't see too many people on the hike, but as we got closer to the end of the trail, we saw lots of folks doing the shorter hikes. We were glad we chose to do the extra section.

There were all sorts of people zig-zagging here, some going up, some going down.

Felt like the streets of Manhattan after the solitude earlier... ok, not really.

We came up from the bottom right, look you can still see people.

Awesome day in Bryce! But skip the Bronco Brownie at the tourist trap on the left on your way outta town. It was RIDICULOUSLY HUGE! It could've fed a family of 5. Maybe 8. Dina and I did not finish it.