Sunday, January 13, 2013

Canyonlands Is Just Captivating in Unsurpassed Utah


Canyonlands National Park is just captivating in unsurpassed Utah. It's not far from Moab, Utah's adventure capital.

I'm sitting here in Adelaide, in the sweltering heat of our Australian summer, and it's bringing back memories of the hot days when I was touring through and walking in southern Utah's national parks.

If you are into canyons, photographing them, viewing them from above or getting down into them, then Canyonlands National Park is for you. You will certainly get your fill of some rugged country.

Heading southwest from the Visitor Center, one of the places to stop is Mesa Arch (below). Not only is the arch spectacular but the view through the arch (and framed by it) is also spectacular.


The area is comprised of limestone, sandstone and shale and is the product of over 10 million years of erosion.

Quite something to behold as the rows of canyons continue on into the distance.

In addition to the regular tourist lookouts, there are places where you just have to pull off onto the side of the road and get out of the car to check the view. Everywhere seems to be a photographic opportunity.

The photos here are just a few of the many which I couldn't stop myself from taking.

Canyonlands is Utah's largest national park and the part which I saw most of is "Island in the Sky", located in the northern section.  

I only spent a brief time in the park but you need to allow several days or longer for walking and exploring.      



There are also quite a few roads for high clearance 4 wheel drive vehicles.

In the photo below, zoom in and you'll see a car making its way down into the canyon (bottom right hand corner). What an adventure. I wonder how long it took them.


Here's the link to the Canyonlands National Park website and map to help you prepare for your visit.

If you enjoyed this post then please share it with others.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Monument Valley Really is Monumental


Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park really is monumental both from the cultural and geographic perspective. It's situated on US Highway 163 on the Utah/Arizona border just 25 miles south of Mexican Hat, Utah.

Monument Valley, approaching from the north

This is one of the iconic places, with its recognisable and stunning landscape, that I just had to visit in America's Southwest.

I first came across Monument Valley when I watched western movies, directed by John Ford, with John Wayne. Below is John Ford's Point.


In 2007, there was also a Red Bull Air Race with aerobatic planes both negotiating the pylons and avoiding the rocky outcrops. A breathtaking event to watch.

So as a pilot and a western movie buff I just had to make the effort to visit and stay in the Monument Valley area.

I'd travelled down from Moab, Utah, to reach Goulding's Lodge on a very hot May day. The airconditioning was a welcome relief while I was waiting to board the tour vehicle. A hot and dusty afternoon tour followed but it was definitely worth going on because it included native American culture as well as a trip into the less well known areas of the valley.

Navajo woman with her craft, Monument Valley

Goulding's did have a camp ground and there is also a big and expensive lodge closer to the Mittens rock formations. However, at peak tourism time, it's a must to prebook your accommodation no matter what style of touring you prefer. What a blessing the internet is for reserving accommodation!

David, the Navajo guide on the tour vehicle, was a real gem with his extensive knowledge and sense of humour. He even called little old me "sassy" (maybe he liked Aussies who wear Akubra hats or tourists who believe in audience participation).

Goulding's Tours, Monument Valley

However, he was really tuned in to the fact that we were all wanting to take heaps of photos and he stopped the vehicle frequently for this purpose. With digital cameras and photo opportunities abounding, anybody should be able to take fantastic photos in Monument Valley.

David, tour guide, on the left, with his cousin in Monument Valley

Keen to make sure that we knew that this was Indian territory, David and his cousin entertained us with some native American music (above). He also treated us to some of the best vantage points for photographing the rock formations - very artistic and his enthusiasm and love of his country made the tour a truly unique experience.

If my itinerary had allowed it, I would have liked to have gone on a morning tour to capture the scenery in a different light. The afternoon tour was hot with strong sunlight and as time progressed there was the afternoon haze and long shadows across the rocks. Sunrise in the morning can be beautiful but sunset in the evening can also be superb.

One of the Mittens, Monument Valley
The Monument Valley airstrip was visible from the lodge and there was a plane parked there when we visited the Navajo Indian woman nearby. However, the flights to the valley come from neighbouring cities and there don't appear to be joy flights available at the airstrip. A real pity because this is a beauty spot which also needs to be seen from above.

Monument Valley really is monumental if you appreciate magnificent scenery and traditional Navajo culture.

Click here for more information on the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Monday, August 6, 2012

Frommer's National Parks of the American West: Park Guides are Just Fantastic


Frommer's National Parks of the American West: Park Guides, by Don Laine, Barbara Laine, Jack Olson, Eric Peterson and Shane Christensen, looks to be a very handy guide to have when visiting Utah's parks. Great shot of Canyonlands National Park's Mesa Arch too (I've made my photo into an interactive jigsaw puzzle on the "Canyon Country" CD). This guide covers many of the places I visited in Utah, Arizona and New Mexico on my last trip to the USA and others during previous visits.

For more information and to buy, click on the photo.

Frommer's National Parks of the American West (Park Guides)

Frommer's National Parks of the American West (Park Guides)

"Frommer's Complete Guides* America's #1 bestselling travel series* More full-color guides than ever before* Foldout maps in annual guides* Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and insider tips.     Table of Contents
List of Maps xi 1 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO THE NATIONAL PARKS OF THE AMERICAN WEST 1 2 ARCHES NATIONAL PARK, UT 16 3 BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK, SD 31 4 BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK, TX 40 5 BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK, CO 54 6 THE BLACK HILLS: MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK, JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT & CUSTER STATE PARK, SD 61 7 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK & GRAND STAIRCASE--ESCALANTE NATIONAL MONUMENT, UT 82 8 CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK, UT 98 9 CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK, UT 109 10 CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK, NM 121 11 CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK, CA 132 12 CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK, OR 146 13 DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK & MOJAVE NATIONAL PRESERVE, CA 156 14 DEVILS TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT, WY 173 15 GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MT & WATERTON LAKES NATIONAL PARK, AB 179 16 GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK, AZ 199 17 GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK, WY 230 18 GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK, NV 255 19 GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE, CO 264 20 GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK, TX 271 21 JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK, CA 279 22 LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK, CA 292 23 MESA VERDE, HOVENWEEP, CHACO & OTHER ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF THE FOUR CORNERS REGION 300 24 MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK, WA 314 25 NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK, WA 330 26 OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK, WA 345 27 PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK, AZ 362 28 POINT REYES NATIONAL SEASHORE, CA 370 29 REDWOOD NATIONAL & STATE PARKS, CA 379 30 ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK, CO 388 31 SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK, AZ 405 32 SEQUOIA & KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARKS, CA 415 33 THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK, ND 435 34 YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK, WY & LITTLE BIGHORN BATTLEFIELD NATIONAL MONUMENT, MT 444 35 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, CA 477 36 ZION NATIONAL PARK & CEDAR BREAKS NATIONAL MONUMENT, UT 505 37 FIELD GUIDE TO WESTERN WILDLIFE 523 38 AIRLINE, HOTEL & CAR RENTAL WEBSITES 529 Index 531

About the Authors

Residents of northern New Mexico for more than 40 years, Don and Barbara Laine have traveled extensively throughout the Rocky Mountains and the Southwest, exploring the mountains and deserts with their always-curious dogs. The Laines have authored or contributed to a number of Frommer's travel guides, including Frommer's Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks and Frommer's Utah. They have also written Little-Known Southwest, New Mexico & Arizona State Parks, and Best Short Hikes in Arizona for The Mountaineers Books; and The New Mexico Guide for Fulcrum Publishing.

A Denver-based freelance writer, Eric Peterson has contributed to numerous Frommer's guides covering the American West, and has written Frommer's Montana & Wyoming, Frommer's Colorado, Frommer's Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks, and Ramble: A Field Guide to the U.S.A. Peterson also writes about travel and other topics for such publications as ColoradoBiz, Delta Sky, and the New York Daily News. In his free time, he's an avid camper and hiker, a lifelong Broncos fan, and a part-time rock star (at least in the eyes of his niece Olivia and nephews Mitch and Sam).

Jack Olson, a longtime resident of Denver, wanders the Rockies and the entire country as a freelance photographer and writer. He writes travel articles and supplies photographs for AAA magazines, and his photos have been seen in such publications as Backpacker, Audubon, Sierra, and National Geographic Books.

Shane Christensen has written extensively for Frommer's, including in Latin America, Europe, and the United States. Originally from California, he knows the American Southwest well and returns each year to the Grand Canyon to explore its wonders and ensure the accuracy of this guide. Shane has also held a variety of diplomatic assignments with the U.S. Department of State, and he is currently a research scholar and faculty advisor at Columbia University."










Friday, August 3, 2012

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is Just Gorgeous


Glen Canyon National Recreation Area is just gorgeous.

It's shared by both Utah and Arizona and it's a very special place whether enjoyed from the land, the water or the air (I thoroughly recommend that way as detailed in a previous post).


The signs around Glen Canyon National Recreation Area are almost as impressive as the natural beauty which they highlight.

I left my campground and went for a drive around part of the lake until I came to this spot at the Coves. The painted part of the sign is mirrored in the stone which supports it.

Very creatively designed to make a statement about the place.

Photographing signs on a trip actually defines where the photos were taken, breaks up the series of photos taken e.g. all landscapes, and some are just worth photographing anyway.

Click on the photo to enlarge it and enjoy both the sign and the scenery behind it.

I can definitely feel the urge to create some interactive jigsaw puzzles about Glen Canyon and Lake Powell. Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, check out my "Canyon Country" post.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Exploring the Southwest's Grand Circle


Exploring the Southwest's Grand Circle, by Mark A. Schlenz, Tom Bean and Susan Lamb covers a lot of the places I visited when in southern Utah. I effectively did the "Grand Circle" when plotting my route in a clockwise direction.

Exploring the Southwest's Grand Circle

Exploring the Southwest's Grand Circle

Richly illustrated with color photography, this interpretive guide follows the spectacular "Grand Circle" route through the Southwest's plateau lands encompassing America's highest concentration of scenic national parks and monuments. From the Grand Canyon to Zion and Bryce to the exquisite rock formations in Canyonlands, Arches, and the Navajo Tribal Park, visitors to this region meander through a fascinating world of geologic wonders and Ancient Puebloan culture. The revised edition features all new photos and has been updated to include recent parklands and visitor centers.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Frommer's Utah


Frommer's Utah, by Eric Peterson would be an invaluable guide to have with you when travelling through Utah's parks. Check it out.

Frommer's Utah (Frommer's Complete Guides)

Frommer's Utah (Frommer's Complete Guides)

Frommer's Complete Guides* America's #1 bestselling travel series* More full-color guides than ever before* Foldout maps in annual guides* Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and insider tips

Table of Contents
List of Maps vii 1 THE BEST OF UTAH 1 2 UTAH IN DEPTH 12 3 SUGGESTED UTAH ITINERARIES 26 4 THE ACTIVE VACATION PLANNER 36 5 SALT LAKE CITY 45 6 THE NORTHERN WASATCH FRONT: UTAH'S OLD WEST 77 7 THE SOUTHERN WASATCH FRONT: WORLD-CLASS SKIING & MORE 106 8 DINOSAURS & NATURAL WONDERS IN UTAH'S NORTHEAST CORNER 150 9 UTAH'S DIXIE & THE COLORFUL SOUTHWEST CORNER 166 10 ZION NATIONAL PARK 192 11 BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK 211 12 CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK 237 13 LAKE POWELL & GLEN CANYON NATIONAL RECREATION AREA 250 14 FROM MOAB TO ARCHES & CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARKS 260 15 THE FOUR CORNERS AREA 292 16 PLANNING YOUR TRIP TO UTAH 306 Index 323

About the Author
A Denver-based writer, Eric Peterson has authored numerous Frommer's guides covering the American West, including Frommer's Montana & Wyoming and Frommer's Colorado, as well as Ramble: A Field Guide to the U.S.A. and other Ramble titles for Fulcrum Publishing (www.fulcrum-books.com). Peterson's byline has also appeared in numerous newspapers and magazines, including the New York Daily News, Denver Post, and Delta Sky, and on winter-sports columns for Frommers.com. In his free time, he's an avid camper, skier, and hiker; a lifelong Broncos fan; and a part-time rock star (at least in the eyes of his niece Olivia and nephews Mitch and Sam).

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Canyon Country Created Into Jigsaw Puzzles Is Just Perfect


Canyon Country created into jigsaw puzzles is just perfect. Utilising photos of some of the spectacular landscapes of southern Utah, these jigsaws are a delight to put together.

In this CD there are 5 different photos which have been converted to jigsaws of 12, 24, 40, 104 and 260 pieces each, making a total of 25 jigsaw puzzles.



Canyon Country Jigsaw Puzzles CD






This range of puzzles can be used by children of different ages and skill levels, promoting hand and eye coordination. Not only are the jigsaws great for stimulating learning and the imagination, they’re full of colour and loads of fun. You can never lose the pieces.

Jigsaw puzzles are easy to do with the click of a mouse button and can be played over and over. Suitable for adults as well! Each CD costs $25.00. That works out to $1 per jigsaw puzzle - great value!

Puzzles are not printable, they're designed to be used on a computer or laptop or even on a large screen via a data projector, and internet access isn’t required.

They're great to take away on holidays and play in the car while travelling or in the tent, RV or caravan on rainy days.

In the Canyon Country CD there are 5 photos which have been turned into jigsaw puzzles: Bryce Canyon, Red Canyon (near Bryce Canyon), Kolob Canyons in Zion National Park, Mesa Arch in Canyonlands National Park and Dead Horse Point State Park.

The Bryce Canyon photo was taken in the afternoon when the rainy weather had cleared. Blue sky with wisps of cloud above the orange and rusty tones of the canyon. Overnight it poured again so I headed for Cedar Breaks travelling through the Red Canyon (very aptly named too). Rainy weather seemed to follow me so after cloudy skies in Zion National Park I decided to head over to the Kolob Canyons section of the park in the northwest corner. I preferred this because the vistas were in the distance. In Zion Canyon I felt boxed in and had to keep looking up at the canyon walls. At Bryce Canyon you look down into the canyon from the rim and see a beautiful panorama of canyon landforms with mountains in the distance.


Canyonlands National Park is quite vast and it was very hot when I visited. It had several striking formations, like Mesa Arch. My favourite place though is Dead Horse Point State Park with the Colorado River snaking its way around the bottom of high canyon walls. Camping on the spot gives opportunities for sunset and sunrise photos as well as the photo which I've made into a jigsaw. The place must be quite magical when it's covered in snow.



Here's a bit more about the jigsaws which are also available for sale from my other websites - click here!

Here are a couple of samples (a lion and a bus) so you can see how to do the puzzles -





Canyon Country Jigsaw Puzzles CD