American Southwest - April 2011
Some notes about the road trip in general:
The people everywhere were super friendly and helpful (this is my 8th trip to the States, not including Grand Forks and Fargo, and I've never had a bad experience with the people in the States, even in the big cities). My Delta flight got delayed AGAIN; that is 6 delayed or cancelled out of the last 12. It was pretty cushy staying in hotels; I'm used to hostels so I felt like royalty on this trip, but I spent about 5 times as much money as I would have in hostels and didn't meet any new people. The days were long; I was getting up at 5am for sunrise light and then staying out for sunset light and then I still had to drive back to the hotel in the dark. I got lucky because it was "park week" (April 18 to 25 this year) when all of the national parks are free, otherwise they cost $25 to get in! I missed the famous sunrise arch shot that I wanted to get (I found out it's Mesa Arch); I was close but didn't know it. The Mexican food down there is great! I quite liked the ancient petroglyphs sporadically found on blackened rocks; so many cool patterns and crazy looking figures. I lost the lottery for a hiking pass to The Wave; they only give out 10 per day. Do a google image search for "the wave arizona."
The locations:
VEGAS - Not so great when you're by yourself. Got to see the Peter Lik gallery, famous photographer. The taxi prices are ridiculous!
VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK- Spent too much time here. Neat rock formations called "The Beehives" and there was an awesome drive through a pink and white rock landscape.
ZION NATIONAL PARK - I got here only half an hour before sunset and there is a mandatory shuttle which would have taken too much time so I just had to move on even though the park is so famous.
ESCALANTE - I couldn't do anything here due to time constraints but there is a nice waterfall in the area as well as slot canyons called Peek-a-boo and Spooky. Couldn't hike them because there was rain coming and people die in slot canyons when it rains.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Very cool rock formations but not as great as I was expecting.
RED CANYON - Very close to Bryce Canyon. I didn't get to look around here very much which is too bad because I saw an information sign that said Butch Cassidy used to hideout and spend time here.
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK - Lots of cool rock formations and petroglyphs. Hickman Bridge here is a giant rock arch that is really spectacular.
GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK - Phenomenal! I've been to a lot of interesting places but this would be near the top of the list. Eroded rock formations all over the place (look like huge mushrooms) and you can wander around through them.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK - Cool little microbrewery in the nearby town of Moab. There was some sort of jeep rally in town and all the hotels were full, lucky me. Found one though. The park is completely empty in the early morning.
NEWSPAPER ROCK - The best petroglyphs that I saw.
MESA VERDE - THE highlight of trip for me. I love ruins and these have a spectacular setting on sheer cliffs. About 700 years old. A wonder of the world in my opinion.
CANYON DRIVE - I had to take a shortcut to Monument Valley before it closed for the day and I ended up on a little twisty road (perfect for cruising) through a canyon surrounded by farms. Stopped at a small vineyard and got a bottle of cabernet sauvignon which was probably the best I've ever had. Buy a bottle from Sutcliffe vineyards if you ever get the chance.
MONUMENT VALLEY - Bad weather and also a bit of a let down. Maybe my expectations were too high.
PAGE, ARIZONA - Nice little town. Close to Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon. Tried to get in to see The Wave from here but no luck. Went to Antelope Canyon instead and it was awesome! A 400 meter long slot canyon about 7 meters high. Popular with photographers.
GRAND CANYON - It was good but not a highlight of the trip, and the weather wasn't great. I couldn't do the North Rim due to the road being closed for winter season. Apparently the views are better and there are less tourists.
Read MoreThe people everywhere were super friendly and helpful (this is my 8th trip to the States, not including Grand Forks and Fargo, and I've never had a bad experience with the people in the States, even in the big cities). My Delta flight got delayed AGAIN; that is 6 delayed or cancelled out of the last 12. It was pretty cushy staying in hotels; I'm used to hostels so I felt like royalty on this trip, but I spent about 5 times as much money as I would have in hostels and didn't meet any new people. The days were long; I was getting up at 5am for sunrise light and then staying out for sunset light and then I still had to drive back to the hotel in the dark. I got lucky because it was "park week" (April 18 to 25 this year) when all of the national parks are free, otherwise they cost $25 to get in! I missed the famous sunrise arch shot that I wanted to get (I found out it's Mesa Arch); I was close but didn't know it. The Mexican food down there is great! I quite liked the ancient petroglyphs sporadically found on blackened rocks; so many cool patterns and crazy looking figures. I lost the lottery for a hiking pass to The Wave; they only give out 10 per day. Do a google image search for "the wave arizona."
The locations:
VEGAS - Not so great when you're by yourself. Got to see the Peter Lik gallery, famous photographer. The taxi prices are ridiculous!
VALLEY OF FIRE STATE PARK- Spent too much time here. Neat rock formations called "The Beehives" and there was an awesome drive through a pink and white rock landscape.
ZION NATIONAL PARK - I got here only half an hour before sunset and there is a mandatory shuttle which would have taken too much time so I just had to move on even though the park is so famous.
ESCALANTE - I couldn't do anything here due to time constraints but there is a nice waterfall in the area as well as slot canyons called Peek-a-boo and Spooky. Couldn't hike them because there was rain coming and people die in slot canyons when it rains.
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK - Very cool rock formations but not as great as I was expecting.
RED CANYON - Very close to Bryce Canyon. I didn't get to look around here very much which is too bad because I saw an information sign that said Butch Cassidy used to hideout and spend time here.
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK - Lots of cool rock formations and petroglyphs. Hickman Bridge here is a giant rock arch that is really spectacular.
GOBLIN VALLEY STATE PARK - Phenomenal! I've been to a lot of interesting places but this would be near the top of the list. Eroded rock formations all over the place (look like huge mushrooms) and you can wander around through them.
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK - Cool little microbrewery in the nearby town of Moab. There was some sort of jeep rally in town and all the hotels were full, lucky me. Found one though. The park is completely empty in the early morning.
NEWSPAPER ROCK - The best petroglyphs that I saw.
MESA VERDE - THE highlight of trip for me. I love ruins and these have a spectacular setting on sheer cliffs. About 700 years old. A wonder of the world in my opinion.
CANYON DRIVE - I had to take a shortcut to Monument Valley before it closed for the day and I ended up on a little twisty road (perfect for cruising) through a canyon surrounded by farms. Stopped at a small vineyard and got a bottle of cabernet sauvignon which was probably the best I've ever had. Buy a bottle from Sutcliffe vineyards if you ever get the chance.
MONUMENT VALLEY - Bad weather and also a bit of a let down. Maybe my expectations were too high.
PAGE, ARIZONA - Nice little town. Close to Horseshoe Bend and Glen Canyon. Tried to get in to see The Wave from here but no luck. Went to Antelope Canyon instead and it was awesome! A 400 meter long slot canyon about 7 meters high. Popular with photographers.
GRAND CANYON - It was good but not a highlight of the trip, and the weather wasn't great. I couldn't do the North Rim due to the road being closed for winter season. Apparently the views are better and there are less tourists.
