Samomatic

On the last leg of the journey, we headed east from Arches National Park to Zion National Park.

Driving through the Zion Canyon road, you are surrounded by Navajo Sandstone cliffs eroded by the North Fork of the Virgin River.

Parked at Temple of Sinawava, the end of the canyon roadway.

A close-up encounter with a mule deer as we were hiking to the Weeping Rocks.

A look-out near the Middle Emerald Pool overlooking the valley beneath.

Giant tree outside of the lodge! Carmen is below it as a size reference.

Towards the late afternoon we started to hike towards Angels Landing – 5,785 feet (1,763 m), but had to turn back before it got dark.

Amazing sights from the high vantage points.

We stayed near Zion National Park and drove back to Las Vegas next morning to return our RV.

We spent most of the day walking up and down the strip, and eating at the Wynn Hotel buffet. :)

Nightfall, I find I am more drawn to the abandoned casinos rather than the glamours new hotels.

The view from our hotel room from the Hooters Hotel….don’t ask.

Home-bound, I wish I had more time to hike and photograph those amazing natural sights! Till next time!

Continuing on the trip in Southwest USA, we arrived at the Arches National Park, home to over 2000 sandstone arches.

We only had 2 days to explore these natural beauties, but excited to hike and see the famous sights.

We saw the Ute Petroglyphs at the base of the path to the Delicate Arch, these were carved between A.D. 1650 and 1850.

The famous Delicate Arch standing at 65-foot (20 m) in height. An important landmark used in Utah license plates.

Another angle of the arch on the descend.

The sandstone fins of the Fiery Furnace. We really wanted to venture into the maze but without a trained guide it is very easy to get lost inside.

Climbers attempting one of the pillars near the Garden of Eden.

Heading into the Devil’s Garden, we came across the Landscape Arch, the longest natural arch in the world, measuring at 290.1 ft (88.4 m) long. Since 1991 3 large pieces have fallen from the arch, leading to the closure of the path that runs underneath it.

We ventured deeper into the Northern region of the park.


Hiking in between some of the fins that we had seen yesterday.

The Turret Arch in the mid-section of the park.

Sunset near the North Window Arch, looking over Turret Arch.

We had to hike down to our RV and head towards our next destination – Zion National Park.

It’s been 2 years since our last hiking trip to the Adirondack State Park. This time we went in the middle of winter for some snow-shoeing…in the middle of a lake.

We left Toronto at 10pm and stayed overnight in Brockville, cramming all 6 people into the room. We woke up bright and early to cross the border.

Arriving at the trailhead, we get layered up and strap on our gear.

So glad there is a good amount of snow. We make our way into the interior sites.

Cross the trickling ravines.

Arriving at a lean-to, a structure with 3 walls and a sloping roof, to setup camp and reduce the impact to the surrounding area.

Mounting the 50mm F1.4, I have forgotten how much fun it is to use this prime with its extremely shallow DOF.



Our home for the night, getting ready for bed. The temperature was -3degC.

In the morning we crawl out of sleeping bags and boil water for breakfast, Carmen also take advantage of the heat to help thaw her boots.

Making a detour to Indian Pass, but due to time limit we didn’t make it to the viewpoint.

Hiking uphill with all our packs for about a mile, while it was snowing heavily towards the top.

With the trail in front unbroken (no traces of the path), Mike made the wise decision to turn back and avoid getting lost in the dark.

Hiking back to the lean-to with our headlamps.

With the new plan we retraced our steps toward the trailhead. We got to hike across a frozen lake!

Snowshoes assemble!

We got to spend more time at Lake Placid to do some shopping and also enjoy the local scenery.

The Pentax K-5 did an amazing job; I slung it on my side throughout the entire trip, tumbling into the snow dozens of times and covering it with snow. There were icicles hanging off from the lens and some of the buttons were frozen from the melted snow. Yet it performed flawlessly and reliably.

Driving home after a satisfying weekend of snowshoeing!

Waking up at dawn we walked through the town of Goulding flanked on both sides by sandstone buttes.

These sandstone blocks could reach up to 1,000 ft (300 m) above the Colorado Plateau.


Walking back to the RV for breakfast.

The View Hotel in the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park.

Amazing view from the souvenir shop!

We hiked along the Wildcat Trail, a 3.1mile trail that circles the base of the West Mitten Butte.

Mom and dad posing in front of the camera. :)

After leaving Monument Valley we followed Hwy191 North, passing Mexican Hat rock along the way.

We took a detour into an unpaved road called “Valley of the Gods”, signs warn against large or heavy vehicles from entering.

Of course that didn’t stop our 27′ Mighty RV. Carmen took the wheel while Horace and I snapped away.

It was an untouched landscape with sandstone pillars in every direction.

In this stretch of road we really wanted to have the Jeep Wrangler for some off-road driving.

On our way we before as the sky got dark.

Arriving by night fall in the town of Moab, right outside Arches National Park, for some delicious Chinese food. Crab rangoons.