Arches was the epitome of Utah's landscape. But it was crowded and was kind of hyped us so much that it was a let down.
The road to Zion was still petty scenic, yet similar to what I've seen so far.
Not even knowing there was such a park, I had no idea what to expect until I got there. Everyone knows that I love trees, and all the pines, and the Cottonwood that have just turned the most beautiful Golden Yellow, were a great change for me.
The patriarchs peaks were great shapes and a nice allusion to what was next. The roads must have been paved with local rocks because they were the same red stone color as the canyons. They blended really well into the landscape instead or ruining it.
The rocky and rounded peaks together were great.
Oh the sky was so blue, and what clouds were in the sky were puffy white.
The morning sun was hazey on some mountains but others were in full sunlight and blazed their scenery.
These canyon walls were so close to one another. They felt at ease with each other and the people below them.
Look at Zion Canyon. Just look.
Wow, the light.
The light in this park is amazing no matter what time of day. I was there all day and it never lost a beat.
Cottonwoods were golden. They felt like home to me. The woodlands on the edge of the river captured and filtered the light so well.
Every glance was a change in scenery. The amazing and sad part is that I lost daylight and was unable to go on quote "mot amazing trail in any national park" in Zion.
When the sun was hitting me I was dreadfully overheated, and in the shade I was so cold. The cactus and pines were such a weird pair.
When sandstone weathers it is SAND again. The rocks were covered in sand and hung over thousand foot cliffs. Chains in the walls at some points made it feel a lot safer crossing.
Just look at that light!
And as soon as Zion Canyon arose from the desert it was gone again. Everything flattened out and got more red.
I was on my way to the Grand Canyon's North Rim. I have never been on love with the Grand Canyon's scenery even on film or photo. I was so close so I thought I'd try and take a look to change my mind.
The Kaibab National Forest was north of the rim and I had to go through it to get to the canyon. First I saw a log pile. NO trees in sight anywhere, just a log pile.
Then I came upon them. Arizona right? Beautiful snow covered Ponderosa Pines. Almost nothing but them too. A layer of grass and thick pines all along the rolling hills and peaks.
And what a beautiful change, sad, but necessary. I take it that they had birned at least one or two seasons ago. The grass was yellowed from a season of growing but I didnt make out any saplings growing between the snags. Every so often an Aspen showed up burnt, originally whitish, when the burnt bark peeled away, WHITE WHITE WHITE. Such beautiful wood.
It was so long getting from Zion to the north rim. The forest never seemed to stop, then all of a sudden there were meadows. They got larger and larger until the entrance to the park.
The sunset between the trees kept getting more spectacular.
By the time I got into the park it was pitch black. Snow covered roads, and no cars gave me a weird feeling, but I kept on.
When I got to the Grand Canyon Lodge, I knew something was up damn it. No cars, not even at the cabins, stores or lots. I walked around and saw CLOSED FOR THE WINTER signs. Nov. 30th 7:00 (no specified am or pm) was when everyone had to be out of the park. Wonderful, as it was 11p.m. Nov 29th when I got there. My car was shitting out on me since I had been driving forever in the desert all day long so I had to sleep in the parking lot and was going to wake up, take some pics of the rim and see if I thought it was beautiful or not, then leave before 7pm. Well no. A wonderfully helpful Park Ranger flashed his light through my window while I was sleeping that night. I thought I was dreaming of someone taking a picture of my car in the parking lot. I was instructed to get out of the park before 7am or I was to be ticketed for illegal camping. Groggily I got my car started and headed out for the damn south rim before I got to see the sunrise.
