My camping equipment

My camping equipment
Campsite setup

Friday, June 28, 2019

Summer Trip 2019, Uinta-Wasatch-Cache-National Forest, Pleasant Grove, Utah

Granite Flat Campground

Tibble Fork Reservoir near Granite Flats 

Barbara and I had a wonderful stay in Unita-Wasatch-Cache-National Forest near Salt Lake City. The National Forest service campground, Granite Flat, is high in the Wastch mountains near the majestic Timpanogos mountain named after an Indian princess. Folks from the greater Salt Lake City area escape the warmer temperatures of the valley to enjoy trail rides, hiking and water sports at the nearby Tibble Fork Reservoir. 

Tibble Fork Reservoir with Timpanogos Peak in the background

The beautiful Wasatch Mountain Range
Barbara has family in the Pleasant Grove area, a suburb just south of Salt Lake City, that she recently discovered from her studies of her ancestry. We had a wonderful time getting acquainted and spending quality time boating and touring the area. We enjoyed a trip to the Deer Creek Reservoir and a visit Temple Square in the center of Salt Lake City. We were able to see the Mormon Tabernacle choir perform live Music and the spoken word, the longest running broadcast starting in 1929.

Our lovely Utah Family at Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah

Barbara and I after the Sunday broadcast of Music and the Spoken Work

Boating on the scenic Deer Creek Reservoir west of Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is a wonderful area to visit with so many interesting places to see with a good deal of history and many places to explore the great outdoors with all the activities that make this place so special. 

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

A special muriel on the rood of the Mormon Convention Center in Temple Square

The Mormon Temple in Salt Lake City, Utah
We were so joyful having made contact with our family and making lasting memories with plans to gather again in the future.

Our loving Salt Lake City family


Saturday, June 22, 2019

Summer trip 2019, Zion National Park

Watchman Campground, Zion National Park




Zion National Park is a majestic beautiful park located in one of the most scenic canyons anywhere. We camped out at Watchman campground along the Virgin river. Watchman has electric which came in very handy as day time temperatures can easily approach 100 degrees in the summer. There are pay showers nearby which can come in handy after several days of hiking. The view from the campground is amazing with the majestic Watchman sentinel on the east side and the West Temple on the other side.

Our campsite at Watchman campground

Mule Deer visiting our campsite 

Our friend Ron from Page, AZ and Barbara on the Watchman mountain trail

The Virgin River which flowed by Watchman campground
The West Temple as seen from our campsite
Zion Canyon is a majestic place. To save the park from the foot print of the millions of visitors who visit the park in the summer a bus system takes visitors into the canyon to the unique features that make this park so special.

The Great White Throne

Angels Landing

Hikers at the top of Angels Landing

The three patriarchs  

The Temple of Sinawava 

The Narrows of Zion Canyon

The Weeping Wall

View looking out into the canyon from the Weeping Wall

The Zion Canyon Lodge
The Canyon Overlook trail begins before the mile long tunnel at the east entrance to the canyon on the scenic Mt. Carmel Highway. It is about a half mile trail that winds along cliffs to a fabulous overlook of the canyon below. The hike is an adventure with views of a slot canyon that parallels the trail up to the overlook. It is one of our favorite hikes in the park.

The East Portal Tunnel entrance to Zion Canyon

Barbara on the Canyon Overlook Trail

The trail traverses some unique areas with incredible views

A hollow with lots of shade looking out at the trail as it winds it way up to the overlook

Red sandstone rock formations are common in Zion

The trail is well constructed along the cliffs

Zion canyon opens up to a spectacular view at the end of the trail

We made it. It was well worth the effort.
The last day of our stay at Zion we decided to travel up to Lava point on the Kalab Terrace Road just west of the entrance to the park. This scenic paved road takes you to an area of the park that is rarely seen by those who visit Zion. It winds in and out of the park with amazing vistas all along the way. From up on Lava Point you can see the canyon below from 8,000 feet up. The view from up high on the Colorado plateau is breath taking as visitors get a whole new perspective of the canyon below. 


The vistas as the road climbs up to higher elevations are amazing

Unusual natural rock formation 

The Red sandstone rock formations are fascinating

High alpine lake near Lave Point

Lava Point, The entire Zion Canyon formation is visible from high above. 

Mount Carmel Highway approaches the canyon from east side   just before the mile long tunnel into the canyon. This stretch of road is filled with a variety of amazing rock formations. All along the way and around every turn is a new vista that takes your breath away. 


Checkerboard Mesa

The many rock formations and arches make for breath taking views

The formations are colorful and majestic

The Mesas silhouette the skyline

There are multiple slot canyons in Zion 
I hope that my narrative and images inspire you to visit this amazing park. Those who visit Zion leave with a sense of wonder that nature could have created such a special place. We have been to Zion multiple times over the years and each time we are in awe of the majestic rock formations that simply take your breath away.





Tuesday, June 18, 2019

Summer Trip 2019, Grand Canyon National Park, North Rim

North Rim Campground, Grand Canyon



The North Rim of the Grand Canyon is a special place which is less crowded and a bit more remote then the south rim. We stayed at the Parks campground near the North Rim Lodge. The air is a bit thin on the north rim with an average height of 8,000 feet making for comfortable temps during the day and cool nights for sleeping. The campground is booked during the summer with every spot filled which requires an advance reservation to get a spot. There are showers, laundry, fresh spring water to fill your containers, a camp store but no electric. The nights are beautiful with bright stars lighting the sky and gentle breezes through the tall pines.

Our campsite at the Grand Canyon North Rim campground
Ranger talk given at the amphitheater about Condors
The North Rim Lodge is a special place to visit with hiking trails that take you out to view points that open up to spectacular views of the canyon. Bright Angel Point is a short hike away. The sheer enormity of the canyon opens up with colorful rock formations and vistas that defy the imagination.

Bright Angel Point

View of the Grand Canyon from Bright Angel Point

Pictures can never take the place of being there, It is truly a special moment.
Sunset from the North Rim Lodge at the Grand Canyon

The North Rim Lodge at the Grand Canyon
The second day of our stay on the North Rim we took the scenic drive out to Cape Royal stopping at various view points along the way. We were blessed with great weather and views of the canyon that were rich in grandeur and majestic beauty.

Point Imperial, at 8,800 feet the highest view point in the Grand Canyon
Roosevelt Point named after Teddy Roosevelt who helped make our park system special
The beautiful canyon at the end of the Cliff Springs Trail near Cape Royal
The view of the Grand Canyon from Angel's Window

Angels Window near Cape Royal
The expansive view of the Grand Canyon from Cape Royal Point
The mighty Colorado River as seen from Cape Royal
I hope my images and narrative inspire you one day to visit the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. It is a special place like no where else on earth.