My hiking boots have done hundreds of kilometres, and now, with the sand, sweat, dirt, and over the years, water from rain, puddles, and rivers, they are starting to smell. After quitting the Kaibab Trail, and before my drive to Zion, I have to wash my feet. It feels deliriously good to be in sandals. […]
Category: Destinations
Grand Canyon’s North Rim
Last night I took out my calendar, sat with my road atlas, map and guide books, and planned out, roughly, the rest of my trip. With the atlas spread on my lap, I saw that Grand Canyon was onto a few finger lengths away from where I was. I decided that I couldn’t be this […]
Hwy 12, Kodachrome and Slot Canyons
Hwy 12. There’s something special about it because I’ve heard about this highway before I ever thought of Utah, and Torrey is filled with Hwy 12 kitsch. “I survived” is the saying on most magnets and stickers. The first part of Hwy 12 runs through the Dixie National Forest. Though I stop at the pullouts, […]
Capitol Reef National Park
Early, before the sun even breaches the horizon, I’m up and packing: I don’t want to pack with the desert sun. I have no chores this morning, just the road that leads to Capitol Reef National Park. On the stunning Hwy 24 the earth’s geology changes again – I leave the red and beige of […]
The Valley of Goblins
I can’t sleep long into the morning. It’s rained a bit at night, which was soothing, but the excitement of the day before left me with an excess of adrenaline. Early in the morning, I wonder about taking a dip in the lake, but the chilly morning air, and the chilly water, don’t entice me. […]
Spontaneous Friendships: Canyonlands N.P and Dead Horse S.P
The sun’s just risen, and I’m wide awake, scrambling my eggs, remembering yesterday’s adventure, and thinking about spontaneous friendships, when Ricardo comes over to my campsite with a, “Good morning,” and an invitation to join him and Ben for breakfast. Since my eggs are already done and quickly getting cold, I spoon them into my […]
Little Red Cabriolet in Arches National Park
It’s Saturday, and because I’m headed for Arches National Park, I get up extra early, have a quick breakfast of 3 eggs and a coffee, and down the mountain I speed to avoid the crowds. Heading towards the park I tune into Arches’ info station on AM radio and feel discouraged when a message warns […]
Canyonlands National Park (Pt 1) & Hamburger Rock
Canyonlands National Park has 4 districts, all of which are far drives from one another, and my first stop is the Needles Visitor Centre. When I arrive I wonder if I’m lost: I don’t see a line of cars at the entrance; HWY 211 that brings me here is likewise abandoned – I only pass […]