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UTAH! Conclusion
#100387
06/13/2016 06:50 PM
06/13/2016 06:50 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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UTAH! Part 7 - May 14-21, 2016 We entered Zion National Park from the North entrance and traveled along the Mt Carmel Highway and through the 1.1 mile long tunnels carved through the red rock mountains. It's amazing to think about how much work actually went into constructing this highway and tunnel system, especially back in the late 20's. As we approached the tunnel we could see what drew the first settlers to this amazing place. Driving through the tunnel was especially fun with the large windows cut through the thick mountain walls to expose a quick glimpse to the beauty that awaited us. We drove through the welcoming town of Zion and found our Hampton Inn Suites Springdale/Zion at the far end of town. We were so lucky to find a room within a mile of the park entrance since we started searching less than 2 weeks out. The Hampton Inn turned out to be perfect for us. Our room was huge and the heated pool/hotub area had a great view of the mountains and an outdoor fireplace to boot. We were booked to stay here only one night, Thursday. We planned one night because we wanted flexibility at the end of our trip. We loved the towns quaint atmosphere so much and of course the amazing park surroundings that we asked if a room was available for our last night on Friday and they said YES! one room was left but we would have to move rooms in the morning, NO PROBLEM! Once we quickly checked in we headed into town to walk the shops and have dinner. Enjoying great pizza, pasta and beer we were captivated by the bright moon cresting the darkening mountain tops, awesome. The following photos include hiking various trails including a 2-1/2 mile trek to Angels Landing (Google this!). That probably doesn't sound like much, but you climb 1600 feet in elevation and it was, BY FAR, the most memorable hike of my life and I want to thank our daughter for recommending this adventure! Instead of me rambling on in my typical fashion, I will commemorate the 2016 National Park Service Centennial by respectfully adding John Muir quotes to the photo's. Unfortunately this most famous naturalist died just two years before the Park Service was created, but he was so influential and rightfully has earned the title of "Father of our National Parks". “In every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8010_zpslx8dfrmm.jpg[/img] “I am losing precious days. I am degenerating into a machine for making money. I am learning nothing in this trivial world of men. I must break away and get out into the mountains to learn the news” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8079_zpsghz8h0ec.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8032_zpsg2lavlms.jpg[/img] “Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop away from you like the leaves of Autumn.” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8081_zpsdovlpyso.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8089_zpsqfex3c9s.jpg[/img] “This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor is ever rising. Eternal sunrise, eternal sunset, eternal dawn and gloaming, on sea and continents and islands, each in its turn, as the round earth rolls.” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8095_zps1fn2tplk.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8098_zpsafmaaqlv.jpg[/img] “Going to the mountains is going home.” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8141_zpstsgxdon8.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION202_zpsdna8hscs.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION203_zpsbdvmyq4h.jpg[/img] “Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8065_zpsap5ug0oy.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8059_zpsetgeks7c.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION204_zps7evupggx.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION205_zpsoymmzh9o.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums.../UTAH%20Part%207/ZION207_zpsxwpwayzk.jpg[/img] “The mountains are calling and I must go.” John Muir [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8112_zps0yb7xsyz.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8119_zpsakpzhtd9.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A8128_zps3qwsgnuh.jpg[/img] "Muir tells us we're crazy to enslave ourselves in pursuing material goods, to be too "duty bound [and] business bound." He warns, "We work too much and rest too little." He tells us to seek re-creation in creation. To regain the free-spiritedness of children. To get out of the ruts of habit and find "ravishing revelation" and newness in all the miracles of nature." by Kristen Rogers-Iversen/The Salt Lake Tribune. [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...t%207/Angels20Landing205_zpssosbfrjt.jpg[/img] [img] http://i1358.photobucket.com/albums...UTAH%20Part%207/UT3A7951_zpsjz7gi4or.jpg[/img] THE END.
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Re: UTAH! Conclusion
[Re: BEERMAN]
#100388
06/13/2016 07:36 PM
06/13/2016 07:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916 Central Florida!
Carol_Hill
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 82,916
Central Florida!
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Thanks so much for the pictures and the eternal words from John Muir!!! <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/Clapping.gif" alt="" />
Carol Hill
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Re: UTAH! Conclusion
[Re: BEERMAN]
#100389
06/13/2016 10:04 PM
06/13/2016 10:04 PM
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Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454 Virginia wishing STJ
TomB
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 3,454
Virginia wishing STJ
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Thank you so much for taking us along! Great stories, wonderful pics, and a lifetime of memories!
The best part - you were nice enough to share this week with us.
What's the next adventure?
“Every time I open a bottle of wine, it is an amazing trip somewhere!” José Andrés
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Re: UTAH! Conclusion
[Re: dayhiker]
#100396
06/17/2016 02:37 PM
06/17/2016 02:37 PM
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Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 381
dayhiker
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 381
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Re: UTAH! Conclusion
[Re: sailorjane]
#100397
06/17/2016 04:14 PM
06/17/2016 04:14 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493 VIRGINIA
BEERMAN
OP
Traveler
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OP
Traveler
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,493
VIRGINIA
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sailorjane, thank you for reading!
I do have one last report to post for SwissItalia(next week hopefully) it will include Interlaken and trekking through the Swiss Alps including Murren, Lauderbrunnen and Piz Gloria etc. This is a place we'll return!
We really enjoyed Moab with the activities I posted about, Arches deserves more time than we gave it. We were sooo close to Canyonland from Moab and wanted to spend time there, but time ran out.
Monument Valley is a must see in my book and I highly recommend staying right smack in the middle like we did at "The View". We would make a horseback ride a must there if there's a next time! there's a corral 2 miles into the dirt trail that looked perfect.
Zion was my favorite park for scenery and of course hiking, Bryce is very close, but once again we ran out of time...so next time!
We weren't able to make Grand Staircase National Park, so that's on the bucket list. Dixie National Forest looked beautiful and interesting and I'd suspect awesome camping there. We wanted to try Goblin Valley State Park but once again time, photo's I've seen show a wonderfully unique landscape.
There is so much to see, the state seems so huge and landscapes varied around every corner, you can't go wrong with any destination choice in my book! If you like hiking you'll find plenty ranging from short and easy, long and moderate/strenuous to short and scary, like the 2-1/2 miles to Angels Landing! Have fun!!!
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Re: UTAH! Conclusion
[Re: BEERMAN]
#100400
06/18/2016 07:48 AM
06/18/2016 07:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,423 Bucks County, Pa.
toast
Traveler
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Traveler
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,423
Bucks County, Pa.
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Thank you soooo much for all those inspirational quotes and for always sharing your travels in such an inspirational way.. Amazing trip
Toast.......to Life; White Bay...heaven on earth. Diane
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