The Utah spring freeze-thaw cycle is
illustrated by this irrigated field. The
day temp will likely reach 65+ degrees.
May, 2008
illustrated by this irrigated field. The
day temp will likely reach 65+ degrees.
May, 2008
Gene, Dad & Rita at one of the many
scenic overlooks at Bryce Canyon
National Park.
scenic overlooks at Bryce Canyon
National Park.
The Park includes some of Earth's
most colorful rocks, which have been
sculpted by erosion into pillars called
"hoodoos" and other fantastic forms.
most colorful rocks, which have been
sculpted by erosion into pillars called
"hoodoos" and other fantastic forms.
Iron oxide gives red, yellow and brown
tints to the limestone, while maganese
oxides lend lavender and pink hues.
tints to the limestone, while maganese
oxides lend lavender and pink hues.
A multi-layered & bundled-up Rita
posing at a window in a rock formation.
Over time as the window grows, the roof
will collapse, creating a new hoodoo.
posing at a window in a rock formation.
Over time as the window grows, the roof
will collapse, creating a new hoodoo.
The area's difficult topography led
Mormon settler Ebeneezer Bryce (whose
cattle grazed in the mazelike twists of the
canyon's stream beds) to declare it "a
hell of a place to lose a cow."
Mormon settler Ebeneezer Bryce (whose
cattle grazed in the mazelike twists of the
canyon's stream beds) to declare it "a
hell of a place to lose a cow."
Bryce is not a true canyon but a series
of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters
carved in the edge of the Paunsaugunt
Plateau by tributaries of the Paria River.
of horseshoe-shaped amphitheaters
carved in the edge of the Paunsaugunt
Plateau by tributaries of the Paria River.
There are 13 viewpoints along Bryce
Canyon's 18-mile road (one-way
distance). Each has a different view.
All are magnificent!
Canyon's 18-mile road (one-way
distance). Each has a different view.
All are magnificent!
These are some examples of fin
formations. Erosion stages in the Park
include the ancient plateau, gullies,
canyons, fins, and window development
- resulting in hoodoos.
formations. Erosion stages in the Park
include the ancient plateau, gullies,
canyons, fins, and window development
- resulting in hoodoos.
Gene - relaxed and happy enjoying a
day in nature!
day in nature!
It was great to be able to share this
experience with Dad!
experience with Dad!
Hiking trails descend below the rim,
affording close views of the colorful
formations.
affording close views of the colorful
formations.
We enjoyed a bird's eye view of Bryce
Canyon on a private 40 minute flight.
Canyon on a private 40 minute flight.
Our single-engine pilot provided
excellent narration with both historical
and geologic information.
excellent narration with both historical
and geologic information.
Pinyon pines and juniper at lower
elevations yield to spruce, fir and
aspen. Bristlecone pines, the oldest
trees in the Park, grow on exposed,
rocky slopes unsuitable for most trees.
elevations yield to spruce, fir and
aspen. Bristlecone pines, the oldest
trees in the Park, grow on exposed,
rocky slopes unsuitable for most trees.
An American Indian name for the area
translates as "red rocks standing like
men in a bowl-shaped canyon."
translates as "red rocks standing like
men in a bowl-shaped canyon."
These stunning rock formations appear
throughout Southwestern Utah.
throughout Southwestern Utah.
The Happy Honeymooners!
Boot Hill is part of Frontier Movie Town
(Kanab, UT). The attraction contains
original movie & TV sets from the
numerous productions filmed in the area.
(Kanab, UT). The attraction contains
original movie & TV sets from the
numerous productions filmed in the area.
Named "Zion" by the Mormon pioneers
in the 1860s, the Hebrew word signifies
a place of safety and refuge.
in the 1860s, the Hebrew word signifies
a place of safety and refuge.
Differences in elevation, sunlight,
water and temperature create
"microenvironments" and the richest
diversity of plants in Utah - almost 800
native species.
water and temperature create
"microenvironments" and the richest
diversity of plants in Utah - almost 800
native species.
The narrow canyon at Zion National
Park is a geologic showpiece with
sandstone cliffs among the highest in
the world. The flat valley floor is very
accessible and you can also select
from numerous hikes up into the cliffs.
Park is a geologic showpiece with
sandstone cliffs among the highest in
the world. The flat valley floor is very
accessible and you can also select
from numerous hikes up into the cliffs.