Kolob Canyon, Bryce Canyon & Zion Canyon Music Festival

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We are in some remote areas where there is no cell service, no voicemail service and sometimes Sirrus XM radio can't even find us. Be patient.

 In Kolob Canyons on the Timber Creek Overlook Trail we stepped aside so two couples could pass and they said, "That is a great background can we take your picture?".

 Scott enjoying the view.
Mike & Nancy the hat is perfect for hiking!

 Thanks Duane for sharing your memory when you took your family here!

 This is an easy hike with great views. My tip - use the bathroom at the Visitor Center before going up. Trust me on this one!

Interesting how they built up the trail with these five foot squares.

 We took a day trip to Bryce Canyon National Park and saw a mountain goat on the way.

About a half-hour down the trail it started to rain. 

It was only 54 degrees at approximately 8000 ft. elevation. Not my idea of fun. 

After leaving Bryce we took highway 14 west to Cedar City which we highly recommend this scenic road. 

You never know what you will find. 

This proves motor homes have been around for years. 

 Love the color but you know what comes next.

The Aspens just glow.

Beautiful views.

It rained on Wednesday, which means it is a great day to get laundry done, and Thursday's forecast wasn't any better. We decided to take a car ride on Kolob Terrace Road which is on the west side of Zion. 

Once you go to the main area in Zion, ride the shuttle, go on some of the famous hikes, I hope you have time to take some of the less populated roads. We saw about twenty-five cars in four hours and seven cows on the road! The temperature dropped 25 degrees as we climbed to approx. 8000 ft. elevation. 

At the end of the road is Kolob Reservoir.
The air was so fresh with the sent of pine.

We ventured off onto the muddy gravel road to Lava Point Overlook.

North Guardian Angel - 7395 ft.

At the lookout we saw the storm coming.

 On the way down we pulled off into a trail head to look around 

and we found this guy hiding in a tree stump.

We made it home just in time before the pouring rain and there were flash flood warnings which you need to take seriously around here.

Cool poster.
Hearing local musicians has always been something Scott & I love to do. When we saw the sign about the Zion Canyon Music Festival we had to be there.  We signed up to volunteer for two hours on Friday, which was a great opportunity to meet some locals.

 Beautiful venue for a concert. 

 Scott is up to his old tricks again. 

He does miss working security for CSC.

The local musicians were great and they brought in Eric McFadden, a famous guitarist, who really rocked the place.

If you have a chance, go out and support your local musicians.
Thanks Jeff for the CD! Keep writing, playing and sharing your talent. When we are back in the Des Moines area we will be in the audience.

"Music can change the world because it can change people." Bono

Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike, Hike

No, that doesn't mean how many times I have heard that coming from the television. It is how many hikes we have been on this week!
We decided to wait for the weekend crowd to thin out at Zion. The National Parks are celebrating 100 years of service and Zion is on target to welcome four million visitors!
  

 On Monday we went to Snow Canyon State Park which is just west of St. George, Utah and it was a great decision because it was peaceful and no trouble finding parking. If you are in the area we highly recommend this park.

Our first hike was the Petrified Dunes.

We made it to the top.

Second was Whiterocks Amphitheater. 

These photos don't really show the height and depth.

The third one was called Pioneer Names.

The names are written in axle grease and date back to 1881.

Below is a zoomed in picture of the left indentation.

When we travel in the West we always think about the pioneers and what they had to endure as they traveled across this beautiful country.

 Jenny's Canyon

This is our first slot canyon and the fourth hike of the day.

We rested a day and then headed to Zion to tackle The Narrows. You hike one mile to the end of the paved trail and then chose to continue down the Virgin River or go back. 

 Hanging gardens along the trail.

 Oh yeah, the water is very cold!

 Around every bend it lures you to go just one more turn.

Our last hike was on Weeping Rock Trail. A short but steep hike to see a curtain of water drops which is so unusual in this dessert setting.

Zion National Park is amazing and should be on your list of places to see. 

Zion National Park

Friday we went back to St. George to submit my paperwork for a passport. We loved Snow Canyon State Park so much we went back for one more hike on the Butterfly Trail. After hiking to the lava flows we turned around and were asking ourselves, "Why it is called Butterfly Trail?" when we saw this rock formation. It didn't say anything in the brochure but we think it looks like a butterfly. Maybe we have been out in the sun too long.

We are taking advantage of the Utah State Park Pass we purchased and pulled into Sand Hollow State Park on our way home. The water was so clear but there was a sign at the ranger station warning there is Swimmer's Itch present. We didn't get in the water because dealing with an allergic reaction to microscopic parasites that burrow into your skin for over a week didn't seem worth it.

Check out the America the Beautiful Pass through the National Parks. America the Beautiful Passes There are several different passes and Scott has the Senior Pass which is a lifetime pass for only $10.00. To get into Zion it is $15.00 per person for seven days, just to walk in, no car. A great way to save money.

Oh yeah, Scott has been watching football too.

"I believe the world is incomprehensibly beautiful - an endless prospect of magic and wonder." Ansel Adams