We drove all over the place as can be seen in the following map:
May 17, 2005
After our first night at a Best Western in Ontario, Oregon, we head
toward the Idaho border.
May 18, 2005
After a night in the Best Western in Fillmore, Utah (the county seat for
Millard county) we head into Zion National Park.
They felt this hillside was impressive enough to name it
"The Checkerboard Mesa."
After exiting Zion, we headed south toward the Grand Canyon's North Rim.
This is looking back from whence we came.
The Grand Canyon's North Rim. At 8,800 feet there was still snow on
the ground approaching the lodge. They delayed opening the road until
Monday, May 16th. From the small amount of snow we saw near the road,
it either melted really fast or they just don't know how to plow snow
in the southern states.
With no room at the inn, we headed back to Kanab, Utah for the night.
Kanab declares itself to be "Utah's Hollywood" as most of
the Gunsmoke episodes and many other old westerns were filmed there.
May 19, 2005
Near the entrance of Bryce Canyon we passed through "The Red Hills."
We made it into Bryce Canyon before noon.
With points over 9,000 feet, there was still some snow on the ground at
Bryce Canyon.
This was the only arch we came across, but we missed Arches National
Park.
There were signs around this area suggesting that you should stay on
the paved paths to prevent erosion. I think they're a bit late.
After leaving Bryce Canyon we headed north and into Capitol Reef.
They named this hill "The Castle."
Further south we crossed Glens Canyon.
Many of the purdier sights were seen in Glens Canyon. This is "Thor's
Chair."
We rushed past Natural Bridges National Monument as it was getting late
and ended up spending the night at the Super 8 in Blandings, Utah.
Blandings is a pretty happenin' town.
May 20, 2005
The next morning we got up and drove across the Colorado border to see
Mesa Verde National Monument.
The Anasazi built their houses in some weird places, but if they hadn't
would they have gotten half a million visitors a year some 700 years
later?
After leaving Colorado, we dipped into New Mexico just far enough for
the obligatory visit to Four Corners. Not seen from this angle are the
booths of Native Americans selling fake turquoise necklaces and other
trinkets.
May 21, 2005
After driving 50 miles out of our way to stay in Flagstaff, Arizona we
headed back up to catch the south rim of the Grand Canyon.
It's the same as the north rim, only it's about 1,000 feet lower and it
looks a different direction.
And it has more bugs. There were a zillion little gnats that covered
everything at the east entrance to the park. The further west you headed
the fewer bugs, but these big guys were eating all the smashed bugs from
the grills of cars.
May 22, 2005
After spending the night in Las Vegas (what happens in Vegas stays in
Vegas so, sorry, no pictures) we headed across the Nevada desert towards
the California border. We found Yosemite closed due to snow. They probably
had to wait for the snow plow to return from Arizona. With tears in our
eyes, we followed the detour directions south to Bishop, California.
May 23, 2005
After looking at the map, we realized that a detour south would mean
going all the way to Los Angeles to find another pass through the
mountains. We headed back north across the Cascades and into some
wine country south of Sacramento.
Near Oakland we found a bunch of windmills. Many of them appeared to
have thrown their blades but most were still spinning. Not some place
you'd likely want to go for a stroll, though.
Through the haze of San Francisco smog, we caught a glimpse of the
Golden Gate Bridge. It's much smaller in person.
May 24, 2005
After spending the night in Santa Rosa, we headed north to the Coastal
Redwoods. Probably would have been more impressed with the Sequoias,
but that would have meant going back south toward LA.
May 25, 2005
After missing our turn, but having a great time driving up the coast to Coos Bay, Oregon and spending the night, we headed inland to see The Oregon Caves.
Here, Ranger Grant prepares to take us into the murky depths.
Here we have some stalactites and mites.
Some of the chambers were large enough that my flash didn't illuminate
the far side.
Bizarre formations result from saturated water running down the marble
surfaces, leaving their deposits over the millennia.
Darlene was throughly impressed. Either that or another one of those
very cold drops of water went down the back of her neck.
May 26, 2005
After spending the night in Grants Pass, Oregon, we stopped off to
see the ol' gal on the way north. 25 years later and the Toutle Valley
looks like it's recovering quite well.
She sent off a plume of steam for us.