Bryce Canyon NP (8/9 - 8/11) POST 8

We left Moab on Thursday 8/9 and boogied to Ruby's Inn RV Park in Bryce Canyon. We had dinner in the Lodge and that evening Jen and the kids went to a nearby campsite to roast marshmallow's because I was out of firewood.

The next morning we rallied everyone and headed out to my second most favorite NP in the country. We stopped at a very crowded Visitor Center and got the Junior Ranger books for our Junior Rangers. We boogied to the back of the park and were lucky enough to hit a Ranger Hike on the Bristlecone Loop Trail. Eileen and I walked a portion of this trail in the snow back in 2008. It's much more fun without the snow.

Our ranger was a young fellow who gave a very good overview of the tree life in the park and what they are doing to help save many of the trees that are being attached by the bark beetles. The bristlecone pine is not a common tree and it is interesting how it has adapted over the centuries to the changing environments. We met people from Italy and even a young family from the San Francisco area. Small world.

After our hike we stopped for lunch at Bryce Canyon Lodge. After lunch we stopped at Inspiration Point and Bryce point. This park is just so beautiful I can't stop taking pictures. I have hundreds from our three visits here but with all those shots you just can't capture the natural beauty the way you see it live.

In the evening we had dinner and reconnected with the French family. We were able to introduce them to the Smore. Good fun, Great night. Love Bryce Canyon!! Tomorrow Las Vegas!

Enjoy the PICS!

Bristlecone Loop Trail!

Our Ranger talk!

Happy Hiker!

Beautiful Hiker!

Sofia's new friend from California!

Hikers from Italy!

Hikers from the Bay Area!

Sofia's New Binoculars!

Those little dots down there are hikers on the trail!

HooDoos!

All that goes down must come back up! 

Gorgeous Place!

Completed another Junior Ranger Program! This is the Ranger that led our hike. Very nice guy!

Junior Rangers! 3x

What are you feeding that horse?  He doesn't look well!

This is what happens if you spend to much time on your iPad.

You can't capture the real beauty!

Utah Parks are fabulous!

Moab Ut. (8/6 - 8/9) POST 7

Monday morning we part with Magnus in the parking lot and we head west to Moab Utah. What a beautiful ride through the Colorado mountains. This state has enormous mountains and beautiful vistas.

We stopped for lunch near the Colorado River. We had to drive through two roadside rests until we found one that was big enough an had some space.

In Moab we stayed at Moab Valley RV Resort on the north end of town. The place we used to stay was turned into a motel.

Soon after we arrived we had neighbors pull into the site beside us. It was a family from Paris France. They had a son who was 11 or 12 and a daughter about Sebastian's age. Mom and Dad and Grandma were all traveling in a RV Rental. I have forgotten the names but Seb and the young boy had  a lot in common with regard to the Rubix Cube. Even though there was a bit of a language barrier they got along very well. We were to see them again at our next stop. Very nice people enjoying our beautiful country.

Next morning we rallied the troops and went to Arches NP. We went to the main desk a got the Junior Ranger information for the kids then headed up into the park. We walked the main trail back to Landscape Arch with hundreds of other people on a very hot midday. Even though this trail is easy the heat takes the strength right out of you. After returning to the car we drove to the lower viewing point for Delicate Arch. It was a hot day but we had great hikes and at the end of the day the kids received their second badge for the Junior Ranger Program. We returned to the campground and hit the pool.

That evening we had a good Dutch Oven Style dinner along the Colorado River before boarding a boat for a three hour cruise along the river. On the way up the river our narrator told us the history of the Moab area, then after it turned dark they illuminate the canyon walls along the river, played music, encouraged us to relax and enjoy the beautiful sites. This was our second time on this ride and I enjoyed it as much as the first time. Very Relaxing. I think the kids were expecting a little more with the lighting though. Maybe something like Stone Mountain Laser show. I do think everyone had a great evening.

On day three we drove toward Canyonlands to a dinosaur park along the highway. We learned that there are a considerable number of digs in this area. They have a trail that takes you through the various timeframes of the past, with lifelike models of many of the dinosaurs. This was very realistic and very well done. We enjoyed it very much. At the end of the tour they have a 3-D museum that demonstrates eight or nine of the dinosaurs from the past. The last one was a shark attack that scared the S---  out of half the people in the room. Very realistic.

After our return from Dino land we all went into town for lunch and some tourist shopping.

I think Moab and Arches was a hit for the kids and we met some really nice people from France.

Arches NP Goat riders!

It is a dead end!

Our first break in the shade!

This is Sebastian interviewing this rock formation. Required for the Junior Ranger program!

Not much shade under this dead tree!

Sofia and Stuffie lead the way!

Sunning himself.

Landscape Arch!

Hot but Happy Hikers!

This young doe needed a good meal. She ignored us all!

Junior Ranger booklet in hand.

My beautiful daughter!

Delicate Arch in the background!

Delicate Arch!

Swearing in Ceremony Arches NP!

New Junior Ranger Vests.

Beautiful Place, Beautiful Group!

Good meal before the Boat ride! Good Food!

Waiting for the Boat cruise to begin.

Beautiful birds!

Waiting to board the boat!

Our narrator.

Canyonlands at Night!

Very relaxing evening!

On the prowl!

Relaxing in the shade!

No Sebastian you can't take him home!

The run in packs!

Digging up bones!

I don't think it could fly. Sure is weird looking!

Our campsite Moab Utah!

Moab Sunset from the campground!