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.

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.

Climbing back up the South Kaibab Trail and taking a last look of the Grand Canyon at Desert View look-out point, we said goodbye to the majestic sights and headed North.

Along the way we saw a few elks grazing in the forest.

Arriving at Page, Arizona at 10pm we stream into Fiesta Mexicana for some delicious Mexican food!

We attacked the salsa & chips as our dishes were being prepared. It was what we needed after 4hrs of driving.

Next day we set out to find the Antelope Canyons. In the distance are the tall smoke stacks of the Navajo Generating Station.

Even though the slot canyons are the biggest attractions in town, we could not find an address to punch into our GPS. Then we realized that they have done it on purpose so we would join their tours for extra costs. Photo taken from here.

We refused to give in and asked for directions from the locals. Turns out you need to join a tour for Upper Antelope Canyon but near Hwy 98 & 222 there is Lower Antelope Canyon where we can have direct access and less busy.

Antelope Canyon was formed by erosion of Navajo Sandstone. A guide is required due to the danger of flash flooding through the channel. Visitors are given 2hrs to walk through the slot, climb up and loop back to the entrance.

Capturing the intrigue shapes in the canyon. Every step is a new perspective!

On the road again, heading North towards Utah.

Big sand rocks in the horizon.

By nightfall we have arrived at Goulding, Utah at the edge of Monument Valley.