Zion's National Park and Bryce Canyon

We woke up pretty early to get to our next stop of the adventure is Zion's National Park and Bryce Canyon. I know had to break down and buy a pair of tennis shoes, and since it was early I didn't have a lot to choose from. I didn't want to waste my money on a pair that I wouldn't ever wear again, so I found some pretty cute Adidas ones. Anyway, we headed out to Zion's and I was also excited to see this beautiful park, mostly intrigued becuase I really didn't know what to expect. We rode the bus into the park and first stopped at Weeping Rock, it was a short hike but the view was awesome. We then went to another trail which leads to the Narrows. A pretty easy hike, with a lot of people around. But still fantastic. Then all of the sudden downpour. So funny. I mean I am drentched, and my hair was curly that day so I was starting to get slimy too. Thank goodness Dad let me where his uber cool hat. I wasn't cold though, so that's always a plus. OK so back to the tennis shoes, I'm super weird about dirty shoes, and they were BRAND new, so mostly I was annoyed that they were getting red rock all over them. I'm so dumb. HA! Anyway, we went on one more hike and that one was super slick but it was also beautiful. By then we were SUPER hot and hungry. So packed up our stuff and decided to go get some food. WE stopped at this cafe that had amazing food. I loved it. The most amazing thing about Zion's is the drive out of the park. I mean the whole thing is beautiful, but the rocks and formations and color, OH the colors, it was spectacular. A must see. No wonder they call Utah Zion? HA!

 

 At Weeping Rock

Bus riding... 

 

 Ok so this is not only a post rain picture so that's why I have a hat on, but next time I come I am bringing sandals, you ford that river and can walk WAY back in there. Someday...

 Where my shoes got all gross... HAHA!

 

 Leaving Zion's...

 Leaving Zion's... isn't it awesome?

 Starting the hike to the Narrows.

 Look at my cute shoes! HA!

 Driving out of Zion's

 Of course, have to get a picture by the sign!

 Weeping Rock

This was at our restaurant where we ate lunch, it is a t-shirt for a beer company. So funny.

So our next stop was Bryce Canyon. I know I keep saying that everything is a must see, but honestly, I was speechless when I was here. Almost emotional. Just because there is nothing in the world like this place. We got there sort of late, well just enough time to hike to the bottom of the canyon. My mom really wanted to hike it because she hasn't done it since she was little. This hike was intense I mean straight down and straight up, but the colors and the formations were breathtaking. We were worried about rain and flash flooding, but all part of the adventure right? (Sorry there are so many pictures, I just couldn't stop myself)

 The hike down 

 Isn't it so cool looking?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 This is from the highest point in the Canyon. It just looks so different!

 Before the hike, see those rain clouds...eek!

 At the bottom of the canyon looking up

 I tried not to get too claustrophobic. HA!

 Dad and me!

 This is also at the bottom of the canyon, you wouldn't believe we just climbed down a mountain.

 I am just so silly! HAHA! The best part about this photo, every foreigner after me did the same thing. HA!

 I love the contrasting colors.

 The hike back up!

 Back at the top!

There's Utah!

It seriously was so awesome. I wish my whole family could have been there for this adventure. At one point my mom and dad were yelling at kids to stay on the path and screaming children in the caves. Oh good times. This was the last National Park of our adventure. Boo, my trip is almost done!

The Canyon of Grandeur and Rock Houses!

So on to the next stop of my vacation, which part I was MOST excited for! The GRAND CANYON! I've wanted to see this beautiful place since I first saw a Mickey Mouse movie on it a bazillion years ago. Definitely on the bucket list! So we woke up early because we wanted to hike before it got too hot (and you know once we got there I realized I didn't bring a pair of tennis shoes more on that later). So we left Flagstaff and headed out on the open road. All the way to the Grand Canyon, iPhone and I studied everything there was to know about it (I know I'm a werido), but it's just fascinating. how it's just like flat everywhere than BAM a HUGE canyon.

So finally we arrived and I was so excited, and it was early enough there wasn’t very many tourists. OK so side note about this entire road trip. There are more foreigners visiting these National Parks than Americans. PEOPLE GET OUT AND SEE YOUR COUNTRY! Ok sorry rant over. We went the main lookout point first, and it was just breathtaking. Seriously, I can't describe how grand it really is. When we went to another side of the Canyon we even got to see some Condors. They are HUGE birds!  That was really special. My dad has his binoculars so we could see to the bottom of the Canyon, best idea EVER! I could just sit and look at it all day. I just felt really blessed and thankful for God and his creations when I stood there at the edge of something so beautiful.

 So here I am! I made it.

 Dad, me, and mom. You have to ride a bus now to get to the other side of the park. And those bus drivers are RUDE!

 I so wanted to take a donkey ride.

 Seriously beautiful!

 I LOVE how my dad looks like a tourist. Camera, binoculars, hat the whole works.

 Our attempt to hike, BUT my flip flops weren't going to cut it.

This sign has it's own parking lot, just FYI!

 

 This wannabe guide was telling a bunch of gullible tourists all these stories about the Canyon. Best one "take your pictures vertical, you see more the Canyon that way"... ha!

 The place where you can hike to the bottom of the Canyon.

 

 

A rainstorm hit while we were there. It was just so cool to see the clouds pass over it like that.

That Canyon was everything and more. I can't wait to take my kids there someday, to white water raft down that river, to take a donkey ride, to camp with my entire family, and to see the North Rim. We just saw the South Rim. When we were leaving it starting pouring so Mom and I had blankets around us, and mom's hair was in braided pigtails and this "foreigner" asked if we were Indians and wanted to take pictures with us. I mean I'm 1/16th Indian so technically yes... We laughed forever about that. On the way to St.George my dad wanted me to see this house built out of the rocks in the 1930's. So we stopped and I took a few pictures:

 It was freaky and cool all at the same time.

View from the back window!

The drive from the Canyon to St. George was absolutely spectacular. The scenery is breathtaking, really a must see. The mountains and canyons are incredible! We made it to St. George late that night but I still got to see Ashley Tippetts, another highlight of my trip. I don't know why I didn't take any pictures. Hold on because our next stop is Zion's National Park and Bryce Canyon!

Lesson of the Day

And that my friends is what this week HAS to be all about. You get lost in the moment all too often to remember that you have to take of #1 before anything else.