The twilight tour to Cliff Palace at Mesa Verde was worth it. Like the ancient people who lived there, we used stone steps and wooden ladders to go down then up the cliffs. Amazing how the people who lived there managed to construct such dwellings so long ago.
Our next stop was Page, AZ for a tour of Secret Antelope Canyon and an up close view of Horseshoe Bend. Both were on private Navajo land. If you have never toured a slot canyon, try to do so. As our pictures will attest, they have almost mystical properties.
Onward to Zion National Park. Our hotel, the Driftwood Inn, upgraded our room so we had a walkout patio with views of the peaks. Yes, there were crowds but the park manages them well. We made use of the free bus system and did some easy hikes observing the wildlife – two-legged and otherwise. We saw a rock squirrel dig a hole, back in, do his business and then cover it up. Very back-country ecological. We also spotted a California Condor soaring high above the cliffs. In the morning we got up early so Dan could get some photos of the sun hitting the peaks. So beautiful & peaceful.
On to Bryce Canyon NP. Still crowds and less well managed though not bad. Such totally different scenery! Instead of rock walls we had fantastical rock formations -hoodoos. Sandstone pillars jutting up everywhere. Lots of red colored rocks and earth. We have been hearing many languages spoken and talking to people from all over the world. At one viewpoint 4 rented RVs pulled up full of people from the Netherlands. Again we took short hikes from the various viewpoint parking lots. That’s all I could handle with the altitude and the congestion I’ve been fighting. After more early morning photography we caught breakfast at a great Mexican cafe and hit the road.
Our drive today headed us north – on to Canyonlands NP. The name does not lie. We hit the highlights recommended by the guidebook & the Ranger then proceeded to Moab for the night. We got up really early to get to Arches NP for some dawn photography and it was breathtaking. After spending the morning seeing nearly every arch in the park section from the Island in the Sky entrance, we found ourselves “parked out” by 11 am. Here we changed the planned schedule. Instead of spending a second night in Moab and having a long drive to Denver for a 2 pm flight, we were able to check out and hit the road for the afternoon. Much more relaxing. Now for a full travel day by air to Portland, OR then by car to Eugene..