Quick Heavy deluge in Springdale , gateway to Zion.
Zion’s Majesty,
Little dreamy goodbye, and see you soon.
In the heart of Springdale, where the Virgin River flows, lies the majestic Zion, a realm of ancient cliffs and emerald hikes. Here, at the gateway to sheer red rock walls that reach for the sky, nature orchestrates a symphony of awe. As the sun kisses the rugged landscape, Zion unveils its timeless grandeur, painting a silhouette of tranquility against the heavens. Each step echoes with the whispers of a thousand tales, inviting wanderers to embrace the sublime dance of earth and sky.
As I said , it was gonna be a long day, at least for me😏. Months ago Dee had planned and booked a night under the stars , guided by an astronomer and out in the desert . We cut away from the main road towards Kolob Plateau. Winding in and out on the edges of Zion National park. After about ten miles we parked uphill in a sandy, dusty parking lot where we met up with about 20 other gazers. A short walk across a field , stopping occasionally for some planetary explains!
Little colorful globes lit the way ,each one a different planet in our solar system. each one with a short and very informative story. So much to learn, so much to forget. Behind a large group of trees we ended up at the gazing site. A very comfy beanbag for each of us and a sky full of stars , satellites and one giant bright moon. About 5-6 telescopes were on the ready for us ,(for who can still stay awake🥰). Long days, comfy beanbags,and horizontal positioning is enough for my Bestie 😍to fall in a deep relaxing sleep . I was excited taking pictures and listening to the mysteries of the universe. Its size is, even after a great explanation ,still uncomprehensible. I think my rv is big , let alone the universe. DUH. Sorry I had to wake her up😇 , still an unforgettable night and day!
Here some pictures of the closing of our wonderful day .
Maybe a bit Fake. Big Dipper
The universe’s sheer scale is staggering, with its expanse exceeding our wildest imagination. To put it in perspective, the Milky Way, our home galaxy, spans about 100,000 light-years, yet it is just one of billions of galaxies in the observable universe, making our cosmic neighborhood seem minuscule in comparison.
Five AM is normally not a time I can get Deidre out of bed! This day was different as we are going to Bryce canyon. Heard so much about and the anticipation was high. First half hour in the dark to the Carmel Tunnel, steep switchbacks and deep drop offs , of course on the passenger site!! Once through the Tunnel daylight greeted us, lighting up another perfect Hollywood backdrop, in one word ……………..(you fill it in ). amazing.
A nice two hour drive to get at Bryce around 7:30 am. no traffic, very few visitors. What I expected , not. What it was , again undescribable. check out the pictures and maybe you get an idea. As the grand Canyon is a giant cleft in the face of the US , Bryce is one side of a much smaller cleft. A Single Canyon Wall facing open space . Made up of thousands and thousands of drip towers we use to make on the beach when we were young and happy with just sand and water.
These drippers were hundreds and hundreds feet high and bright colored . Sandtowers of all size and crazy colors. We drove from vantage point to vantage point and shot loads of pictures and selfies . Short hikes is all we want to do today. Great hikes are started from the rim , Horseback riding brought us to the real west. what a site . Look for yourself , our plans for the day didnt just start early , they ended real late , but thats for tomorrow ! Enjoy and go plan a visit !
Bryce Canyon’s stunning rock formations were sculpted over millions of years by the forces of erosion. This process began as water, wind, and ice gradually wore away the sediments deposited in a vast lakebed. The unique hoodoos and spires that define the landscape emerged as harder rock layers resisted erosion, leaving behind the intricate and mesmerizing formations that visitors admire today. Erosion, particularly from freezing and thawing, continues to shape Bryce Canyon, ensuring its ongoing allure and beauty for future generations to enjoy.
Zion River RV Resort in the town of Virgin Utah, a nice place to set up house for a long week. 12 Miles from Zion park, 2 hours from Bryce Canyon and close to a supermarket, firewood and nice grill evenings ! As we are traveling for a long time and staying for a week or more at most all locations , we are never in a hurry to go go go , what you do when you only have a few days. So day one was relaxing , quick shopping and getting a small repair scheduled for the RV ( yes again !) I still have ants in my pants and want to go sight seeing, Bit nervous about a check engine light that came on pulling into the campground. I took a nice drive to springdale at the entrance to Zion , went to some galleries and to the supermarket ( mostly to use the Bathroom ) . Nice healthy dinner at night at a great restaurant ( not a sketchy touristy one ) beautiful food and felt good eating out again for a normal price . Next day , sunday , took a longer trip in the valley , took some pictures and Deidre was taking the day off, shes working most all days and after a busy season she needs a break ! Amazing trip planned to Bryce Canyon and a stargazing evening, but thats for later, enjoy the pictures
Zion National Park is located in the southwestern United States, in the state of Utah. This breathtaking natural wonder is famed for its stunning red cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and lush hanging gardens. The park’s origins can be traced back to the late 19th century when it was first settled by Mormon pioneers. Originally named Mukuntuweap, it became a national monument in 1909 and was later designated as Zion National Park in 1919. With its rich history and unparalleled geological formations, Zion continues to captivate visitors from around the world.
Got a whole new appreciation for 65Degrees early mornings. what a delight. Fed Beau , quick walk with him and found a nice drive to golob reservoir. 24 miles uphill , different landscapes, steep red cliffs , green meadows , horse, cows and a beautiful translucent blue bird . Back at ten prepared for tonight Barbeque and nice glass of wine . Starts to feellike a real vacation.
Day 11 and ready to leave, after the first three days taking care of repairs and suffocating in the extreme heat. Deidre’s arrival got me a perfect guide and amazing nights in Sin City. The sphere done right , talked with a robot , saw a 16K movie , made us feel we’re in a giant spaceship floating over the desert and in the oceans. What a trip !Jimmy Kimmels comedy club was fun, the high roller gave us an amazing view of the city and the sphere. wow! Great dinners taught us hype isn’t everything, oriental foods stole the show for us. Momofuku is prime , what a view and what delisciuos food!! closing out with a much self hyped magic show by Chriss Angel, a bit dated but very personable Angel! ready for nature and some great National Parks, ZION here we come!
Amazing !Momofuku
Great girlfriend , never complaints!! oops going to get in trouble!
⭐
Rating: 1 out of 5.
Zion National Park is a breathtaking sanctuary of towering red cliffs, lush forests, and meandering rivers. Hiking trails wind through the dramatic landscape, leading to iconic landmarks such as Angel’s Landing and the Narrows. Visitors can revel in the park’s serene beauty, explore its diverse flora and fauna, and witness the awe-inspiring vistas that have captivated travelers for generations. Zion National Park is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers alike, beckoning all to discover its timeless splendor.
You’ve seen one dam you’ve seen them all and I’ve seen a lot of Dam’s.
Hoover has a kind of special mystique surrounding it. So I took the dam tour and prepared for endless dam jokes , Not disappointed !
Interesting to see how incredibly big the dam is , 660 feet wide at the base and 45 feet wide at the top. It was build in 3-4 years which seems very fast for the 30’s.
The Hoover Dam serves as a vital hydroelectric power source, providing electricity for millions of people in the southwestern United States. Additionally, it regulates and stores water from the Colorado River, supporting irrigation and providing water for communities and agriculture. Furthermore, the dam plays a crucial role in flood control, helping to mitigate the impact of potential flooding in the region.
When in Vegas its hard to zoom out and look at this tiny speck in the desert with all its lights , excesses and glitter, incredible talent, self importance and sadness as anything but all there is in Nevada. But …. drive 20 minutes west and start your driving , biking, climbing and hiking loop in Red Rock Canyon Conservation area. After showing your National Park Pass you enter the rocky desert with towering mountain facades, perfect for rock climbing and spectacular photos. Dry but colorfull bushes , so different from anything out east, cover the bone dry desert floor. Parched riverbeds waiting for much needed rain. Tortoises, rabbits, Burros and wild horses are roaming fast and real slow. arriving at 6:30 the sun is just over the hills and lights up the place. Gorgeous and worth the early wake up. Its quiet in the park and I’m first with some brave and strong bikers overtaking me on the down hill. After the 15 mile loop and many stops I find the metropolis of “Blue Diamond”
Blue Diamond,
Elevation………………….High
Occupants………………..Few
Burro’s………………..?
Now this town has a Post Office, sherrifs office in the convenience store and , no kidding the best breakfast place within 200 miles.
Coffee and avocado toast for breakfast , homemade everything , to die for!
Back to the RV, as the sun keeps on rising so does the temperature , 108 today . inside from 10-4 .
Yucasky
Red Rocks early morning light
Self portrait
What else is there to do in Vegas but shelter from the heat???
O… there are the casino’s, shows, magicians, lights, ferris wheel and incredible shopping , if you have the big bucks !
It’s overwhelming and it leaves a weird taste. There is so much riches and you think you need to be a part of it. If you can see behind the facade there is amazing talent at work , artists stages, store displays , logistics are the best in the world. Shows everyday anything anyone the best, some very expensive some are not . Great magicians have daily shows that will blow your mind. Nice place for a few days ,stargazing in the desert is next.
For more then 15 years I have loved the VOICE , fun depreciating humor and sparkling personality of one of the greatest singers of our time , Mrs Adele was my daily companion on morning runs. 21, I must have listened and sweated to hundreds of times .Mile marker one was Fire to the rain, if it started earlier I was slow , sad music but amazing voice words and melodies. So when I knew Vegas was on the triplist , I checked tickets, she has residency at Caesar’s and performed there the last year every weekend. Tickets , unfortunately were astronomically high. So no way .Only The Boss warrants such prices( I thought). I’m very objective in this …. NOT!!!
So to show you what a wonderful , loving , amazing woman I’m married to . Deidre surprised me with a ticket. (Tears!). How great is she. No still a bit greater then that . I love her so much !!
So I splurged , went to Target ( Versace was closed) and get some fancy (haha) clothes for the show . I normally dress down and never wear a tie ! EVER !
In short ,the show was beyond amazing, Adele is worth all the hype, all the praise , it was a comedy show where the comedian could sing like no other . Theater was transformed for her shows and spectacular. Audience was at her feet for 2.5 hours . We’ll see for yourself !! I think only three shows left!!
The Long West Coast Summer Trip. 