SW National Parks Tour - Capitol Reef UT

We thoroughly enjoyed Capitol Reef with its spectacular, sheer rock formations right next to the scenic drive and the enjoyable hiking, including one down a sandy, rocky pioneer road to 'The Tanks', large sandstone potholes full of year round rainwater.  The Park gets its name from white "capitol" dome formations and tops of the sandstone buttes evidenced throughout the Park and entire Waterpocket Fold, this geological wonder of southern Utah.

SW National Park Tour - Grand Canyon by Air

When we arrived in Kanab as our southern Utah base, we were surprised to find out that the North Rim of Grand Canyon is not open to vehicles for the season until May 15!  That didn't stop us though.  We took a scenic flight over the Park instead.  It was a blast, and we saw the Canyon from a vantage many do not.  There were times we were below the Canyon rim and just 500 feet off the ground, and then, when we flew over the Colorado River, it was 5000 feet below us.  It was incredible, and fortunately, a beautiful, clear, calm day, making our flight another wonderful memory on our National Park Tour.

SW National Parks Tour - Bryce Canyon UT

Bryce Canyon was stunning and awe inspiring in spite of the cold and 4-5 foot snow pack still in the Park.  The scenic drive and overlooks are kept open all year and our experience was one of the best of our tour.  The mountain ranges, vast canyons, and unequaled natural spectacles are totally captivating.  We were particularly awe-struck and overwhelmed by the natural wonders at Bryce Point.  Everyone should see Bryce.  You will never forget it.

SW National Parks Tour - Zion UT

The drive in and out of Zion was the best part.  Entering the Park from the east, we saw great vistas including Checkerboard Mesa dusted with snow and miles of splendid multi-colored Navajo sandstone pinnacles, bluffs, and layered mesas.  We marveled through the 1.5 mile Zion tunnel built in the 1920s. Once at Zion Canyon and the Park Visitor Center, shuttles transported us up the Canyon to see its highlights.  The shuttles were very crowded with spring-breakers, but we did enjoy a bit of solitude hiking back on the Pa'rus Trail along the Virgin River.  Next time we visit Zion, it will be a different time of year, but the visual memories will bring us back to this natural spectacle.

SW National Parks Tour - Death Valley CA

Death Valley is an absolutely awesome place.  It is extreme in every sense - in altitude, in temperature, in expanse.  Pictures cannot in any way do justice to the sensory impact and memories created by experiencing Death Valley.  In our long, full days of exploring, we still only saw a fraction of this vast 2.2 million acres.  The winter to spring transformation was very evident, as in the winds and temperaure swings, the abundant wildflowers, and the amazing runoff that was Salt Creek, a creek more salty than the ocean and home to the endangered pupfish.

SW National Park Tour - Joshua Tree CA

Joshua Tree is right next to the masses of Southern California, but our visit was almost solitary with many great vistas and the Joshuas just coming into bloom and a hike to the amazing 49 Palms, an oasis smack in the aridity of the Mojave Desert.

SW National Parks Tour - Saquaro, AZ

Our tour started south basing out of Green Valley, AZ to visit Saguaro NP.  What a beautiful place surrounded by the hustle and humanity of Tucson.  On our hike, we encountered a sparkling pool at Lime Falls and were treated to our first closeup to the cordially-named 'Teddy Bear Cholla'. 

Snow Mountain Ranch Jan10

We, and several friends, enjoyed a blast of winter recreation at the YMCA of the Rockies Snow Mountain Ranch, in Colorado SW of Rocky Mountain National Park.  The snowshoeing and cross-country skiing were excellent with perfect conditions.  The Ranch trails were right outside our cabin, and in RMNP, just 1/2 an hour north, we relished in having Park trails pretty much to ourselves. We thoroughly enjoyed a full-moon sleigh-ride drawn by two beautiful Belgians that included hot chocolate and roasting marshmellows around an open fire.  There was ice and roller skating, foosball, ping-pong, lots of cabin games, and working jigsaw puzzles.  All the fun was always in sight of the spectacular snow-capped Rocky Mountains.  Inside our cozy cabin, we shared delicious meals and great stories and all agreed that this venue stays on the bucket list for a return visit.