Capitol Reef National Park

Cold, windy night in the tent again but wore my snowboarding gear and stayed toasty warm.  First day in a while with 8 hours of sleep!  Broke down camp and was in the park before 8am but found this wasn’t ideal to photograph the rock formations.  Had to wait 30-45 minutes for more light to … Read more

Kanarra Falls

Hiking trail to Kanarra Falls in Utah

Ended up back in my favorite wilderness shack again last night.  Cheap rates, bed, heat, and showers make a very happy and rested camper!  Also very happy to be out of Nevada – not my favorite state, but some excellent geological features I wish I could have seen.  Maybe some other trip. Woke up early … Read more

Walnut Canyon National Monument

Down the highway from Sunset is the Walnut Canyon National Monument.  This site preserves the early cliff side dwellings of the Sinagua culture dating back to about 1100 CE, near the same time of Sunset’s eruption.  Can you imagine what they saw in the distant sky from their caves on that day?  Crazy to imagine. … Read more

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

I spent a good portion of last night trying to determine my next destination, and still haven’t decided.  So instead, I am winding my way through some local monuments.  First stop near Flagstaff is the Sunset Crater Volcano.  Last erupting about 1,000 years ago, it blanketed the surrounding 800 square miles in ash changing the … Read more

Grand Canyon South Rim

After finding that a) temps get really cold in GCNP during fall, and b) campsites are reserved over a year in advance regardless of what the interwebs say, I had to cave in and stay at a hotel.  Upside is I slept like a baby for the first time this trip.  Howard Johnson’s beds are … Read more

Grand Canyon North Rim

Started the day by heading to the Kanab BLM center to get info on the Escalante National Monument and found the drive was more than expected.  Also I am to the point I actually need to pay attention to the date – time is going by too fast!  Alas, no Escalante on this trip.  Also … Read more

Double Rainbow in Jackson, Wyoming (Redux)

Double Rainbow as seen from Wendy's parking lot in Jackson, Wyoming

Leaving Grand Teton National Park it started pouring rain. Stopped for some food and caught a double rainbow. WHAT DOES IT MEAN?!?! Jackson, Wyoming is a major tourist town and crazy expensive, place next door to Wendy’s was considered “cheap” with $20 hamburgers, yikes. At least rainbows are free. Officially captured my first moose on … Read more

Grand Teton National Park

Came into Grand Teton from the west via Teton Pass.  10% road gradients and intermittent rain do NOT make for a fun drive.  Wish I could have enjoyed the views on the cliff sides but no good overlooks/turnouts without risking life and limb.  Probably the most dangerous road I’ve been on. Weather of course did … Read more

Couchsurfing in Idaho Falls (Redux)

Couchsurfing in Idaho Falls, Idaho

Inclement weather had me bug out from Yellowstone from the west gate. Coming down the mountain through the pass in the rain and dark was not my idea of fun. Headed to Idaho Falls, Idaho and threw up a prayer on Couchsurfing. Ended up meeting some great people who greeted me with a hug and … Read more