Brad and dela

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Return to Zion

Zion National Park was our last stop before home. We've camped here numerous times over the years because it's one of our favorite parks and it's only 6-ish hours from LA. We broke ourselves in on the Angel's Landing trail and tried out a 9-mile hike on the West Rim Trail before we left. The thunderstorms followed us to Zion -- each afternoon the top of the canyon would grow dark with clouds. Luckily, we didn't get much of the rain :)

Monday, September 21, 2009

Sunset Lightning Show

That night, Canyonland's Needles District showed off it's light show!

Canyonlands National Park: Needles District

A series of thunder/lightning storms accompanied us on our 7.5 mile hike through a couple of canyons. When the rain poured, we took shelter in rock overhangs and ate trail mix while the thunder shook the rock we sat on.

Thunder + Lightning + Sunset + Rainbow

This is what it looks like when a thunder and lightning storm combine with sunset in Canyonlands.

Canyonlands National Park: Island In The Sky District

The Island in the Sky district is appropriately named!

Natural Bridges National Park

The day started dark and cold. A thundering storm followed us through the peach and black-striped rock canyons. We took shelter by ancient ruins, in a rock cave, and under a natural bridge that was covered in 7000 year-old rock art. The day ended with friendlier clouds and a beautiful sunset at the oldest of the natural bridges. The canyon loop hike (8.75 miles) in the park is well worth the time and effort AND can be hiked without shoes!

Valley of the Gods, AZ

Warm desert night . . . tent that doesn't need the rainfly . . . a magical hike through a landscape filled with Red Jasper . . . breakfast of oatmeal and coffee on concrete barriers on the side of the road . . .