Different Desert, Different Day

Bryce Canyon National Park

Arches National Park

Zion National Park

Dan and I have been thinking for a while now that it is time to get back into a diesel truck with a little more pulling power. We spent all of last Friday and Saturday looking at every used Chevy diesel in Billings, but nothing seemed quite right. So we did what every savvy shopper does ~ we came home and pulled up trucks on the internet. NOW we had choices! Since we were being picky anyway, I insisted that we only look at red ones. After one false start, we located a truck with real possibilities in St George, Utah. It was really neat to sit back and watch God put the pieces of the puzzle together: the right truck, the financing, the extra day off work, etc.

We took off Thursday morning for the 14-hour drive. (I love spontaneity!) Friday morning, we hit the dealership five minutes after opening. The truck was just what we needed and we were able to make a deal, so we were leaving the city by early afternoon.

With the deal made and two and a half days' time to get home on, we turned to tourist attractions. While we were just a stone's throw away from AZ (one of the few states that I have not visited) and the Grand Canyon, we decided to save that for another trip and go east instead.

We started with Zion National Park, as recommended by several locals. It was absolutely gorgeous! I loved the rock formations, the river, and the trees, but I wasn't too fond of the mile-long tunnel in the main road. It probably didn't help that it was unlit, and right up until that moment, it never even occurred to us to check the lights on the truck. After a couple of seconds, Dan got it figured out, but I was still very relieved to exit the tunnel.

I love the etching in the rock.

From Zion, we headed to Bryce Canyon National Park. Since we had very little daylight left, we made a bee-line straight to the main attraction. All I could say, over and over again, was WOW! We watched the moon rise and the sun set and just kept taking pictures. After a delicious buffet dinner in the historic lodge, we drove across the desert floor, still enjoying the mountains by the light of the full moon.

Saturday morning found us up bright and early and making tracks for Arches National Park. I have seen pictures and tv travelogues on these parks, but that is just not the same as being there and taking your own pictures. The timing of the trip was perfect, too... not too hot (ok, downright chilly), and not too many people. We photographed all the main arches, saying the whole time that we need to come back when we have time to hike.


 
 
 Unfortunately, there is no flat route from I-70 to I-80, so we had five hours of white-knuckle, edge-of-the-seat driving after dinner. But God watched over us all the way, and despite one "close call" (Dan's words), we arrived safely in Rawlins, WY.
We were both very relieved to travel the rest of the way home on Sunday on clear, dry roads under sunny skies, surrounded by the beautiful mountains of home.