*Note. "The Mighty Five" refers to the five national parks located within the state of Utah: Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon & Zion.
A smooth day of travel for both passengers & OUR luggage!!
Our view from the plane as we flew into Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City is sustainable!! And we later learned that our favorite UT brewed beer,
from Uinta Brewing Co., uses mostly wind power to craft their suds!
Our favorites were Monkshine Belgian Blonde & Hoodoo Kolsch-style Ales.
Our first stop was Moab, where we visited Manti-LaSal National Forest, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks, and Dead Horse Point & Goblin Valley State Parks. Dave and I experienced our first slot canyon (woo hoo!) and during our time in the desert, we saw all kinds of wildflowers.
From Moab, we made our way to Hwy 12, stopping at Capitol Reef along the way, and traveled the scenic byway to Tropic, which is just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. Highway 12 was phenomenal! It lead us through Grand Staircase National Monument, where Dave was able to get some really awesome drone footage, and the Dixie National Forest, were we found ourselves amongst not only snow & ice, but deer & elk too!
One of the best things about Utah: THE OPEN RANGE!!
This was taken about 10 minutes from the condo we were staying in. #LifeElevated
Entering Manti-LaSal National Forest.
The Aspen were absolutely breathtaking; lime & white against the evergreen pine.
Gazing out to Castle Valley.
Castle Valley
The beloved National Park stamp book!!
Scarlet Globemallow outside of Arches National Park.
$80 well spent!
Testing our skills at Balanced Rock in Arches National Park.
You guessed it! Balanced Rock!
Landscape Arch at Arches National Park
Aaaaah. The open road. :)
After a day of play, we found respite, refreshment,
and LIVE MUSIC at The Blu Pig, a BBQ & Blues joint. Cheers!!
Heading into Dead Horse State Park.
The horses may not be doing so well, but the open range cattle are healthy as ever!
Itty Bitty
Dead Horse Point State Park.
According to legend (aka http://www.moab-utah.com), "in the l800s wild mustang herds were common and this peninsula, at 2000 feet above the Colorado River, was used to corral and capture them behind a 50 ft. fence at the neck of the formation. One time, a herd of unwanted horses was left out there, where they died of thirst." Hence the name, Dead Horse Point.
Here is a view of the peninsula....and David! :)
And this is the view from the peninsula plateau itself.
The Colorado River from atop of Dead Horse Point.
Awesome patterns in the rock at Canyonlands. I want this for my countertop!!
I'm unsure as to what type of flowers we saw at Canyonlands.
(They don't have a nifty website to look them up like Arches does!
Hint hint, if a Canyonlands Park Ranger ever stumbles across this blog.....)
Hint hint, if a Canyonlands Park Ranger ever stumbles across this blog.....)
Mesa Arch at Canyonlands National Park.
Grand Viewpoint Overlook at Island in the Sky mesa of Canyonlands.
I just can't get enough of this open range!!
I made Dad turn around to get a picture of the sign. #obsessed :P
Finally!! A SLOT CANYON!!
Little Wild Horse at Goblin Valley State Park.
From Moab, we made our way to Hwy 12, stopping at Capitol Reef along the way, and traveled the scenic byway to Tropic, which is just outside of Bryce Canyon National Park. Highway 12 was phenomenal! It lead us through Grand Staircase National Monument, where Dave was able to get some really awesome drone footage, and the Dixie National Forest, were we found ourselves amongst not only snow & ice, but deer & elk too!
Mormon settlers established the small town that is known today
as Fruita, located within Captitol Reef, and planted many orchards that are still
preserved and harvested today. This was an apricot orchard we passed
along the Freemont River, which runs through Fruita.
Petroglyphs along the rock at Capitol Reef National Park.
The one room school house of Fruita.
Driving through Dixie National Forest.
Deer!! (You can see the whole herd of them on the right side of the road too!)
Looking out from Hwy 12 within Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument.
Hwy 12 is claimed to be one of the most scenic highways in America and was named an
"All American Road" in 2002. After taking the drive ourselves, we support these claims!
Our view from Bryce Trails Bed & Breakfast in Tropic, UT.
Life elevated!!
Along the Daves Hollow Loop in Dixie National Forest.
(Before we realized how many different turns and trails this "loop" actually has...)
Our bike ride through the woods was flirting with sundown.
Let's just say, we were very thankful to 1) not be attacked by
a mountain lion and 2) make it back before the last light
left the forest. A beer never tasted so good!!
After our stay at the Bryce Trails B&B in Tropic, we made our way to Zion National Park for our final two nights in the desert. While in Zion, I managed to clamber up Angel's Landing (without any injuries!) and we also saw some big horn sheep.
Utah Daisies in Zion National Park.
The view from Angel's Landing.
The hike (or rather, the SCRAMBLE) up to Angel's Landing.
I can't wait to go back and do it again!!!
Enjoying the views and #freshair along the descent.
Switchbacks.
Our final trek landed us in fabulous Las Vegas, for some poolside R&R, a little luck on the casino floor(s), and of course...some Detroit coneys at The D on Fremont Street.
Mom and Dad on the gondola ride at The Venetian.
(Turns out our gondolier actually spent his early childhood
in Italy! He may have been pulling our leg, but he was so
believable!! And his Italian singing voice definitely backed him up!!)
Awesome flower arrangements at The Venetian.
Salute!!
Some very Vegas appropriate cupcakes by "Cake Boss" Buddy Valastro.
Bellagio had an Under-the-Sea theme while we were visiting.
All I could think was ... The Little Mermaid!!
We made some friends at The Flamingo.
Sunset, Vegas Style. And we had the place to ourselves!! (cuz that's how we roll...)
We couldn't leave town without stopping by the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop.
(from Pawn Stars on the History Channel!)
Had I been more lucky on the stripe, this would be my pawn treasure of choice.
We spent our last night livin' it up on Freemont Street.
(Look close! Mom is standing by the palm tree!!)
Until next time....Viva Las Vegas!!
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