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Part 1: The Pacific Coast and Idaho Part 2: Montana and Wyoming Part 3: The Great Plains Part 4: Colorado, Utah and the desert |
Arch, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT
12:00 noon, 8/5/98: Julesburg, Colorado. I'm heading towards Rocky Mountain National Park, north of Denver. 5:25 PM: Forks Park, Big Johnson Canyon, CO. This canyon, west of the park, is full of strange rock formations. Big Johnson Creek shines on this glorious, sunny day. Big Johnson Creek, Colorado 7:00 PM: Rocky Mountain National Park, CO: I don't have time to explore alot, and my energy is sagging. I hike for an hour up to Bear Lake, which is reflecting the moon and the mountains at dusk. While driving around I see a lone wapiti elk with a full rack of antlers. 11:00 AM, 8/6/98: Debeque, CO; odometer reads 5200 miles. Early in the morning, just west of Denver, I saw a herd of mountain goats literally on the interstate. I snapped a photo as they scattered up a hill. This is stunning country. Over the next several hours I took many pictures of the high plateau in western Colorado and eastern Utah The barren high plateaus of eastern Utah 2:00 PM: Green River, UT: This town is at the western end of a very rugged 100-mile stretch of road, the only one so far with absolutely zero radio stations. 4:00 PM: On the way to Bryce, I stop along a river to stretch my legs and see a 3-ft. long rattlesnake. 7:00 PM: Red Canyon, UT: I have set up my tent in this campground just below Bryce Canyon. I have enough time to drive up and take a few pix in the main park, but even Red Canyon has an amazing assortment of hoodoos (spires of rock created via erosion). I hike down below the canyon rim up at Bryce and then play guitar overlooking the canyon at dusk. I have always wanted to see this place, and I'm very happy to have made the effort to get here. Hoodoos, Bryce Canyon National Park, UT 7:30 AM: I drive by numerous points of interest at Bryce, little canyons and vistas are everywhere; this is a big park. I set off for a hike at Rainbow Point, at the southern tip of the park. This is a great vista, with a panoramic view. I walk around past the point to Yovimpa Point also, where I hear birds screeching and then see them fighting near some caves below the canyon rim. I walk down to investigate and see a raptor (peregrin falcon?) zoom down from a perch into the canyon. 1:15 PM: Heading for home! I decide to go the southern route through Las Vegas and Barstow, rather than head back through Salt Lake City and I-80. My route takes me through Zion National Park, which is quite close to Bryce. I only have time to drive through, but I plan on returning after seeing many breathtaking cliffs. The tunnel that crosses this park is long and scary, and they regulate traffic, so plan on being delayed if you go during the summer. 4:30 PM: Cedar Pocket, AR: This is the first time I've been to this state as an adult, even if it's only a 30-mile stretch of highway. It's well over 100 degrees. 6:20 PM: Primm, NV at the stateline: I don't like this state at all; barren land or casinos, take your pick. 8:30 PM: Barstow, CA: I haven't ever driven south of Morro Bay before, so all of this southeastern CA portion of the trip is new territory for me. I discover that old highway 58 isn't all that fun, since, in parts, it's one lane in each direction, with many semis. 
10:45 PM: Bakersfield: I want to be back tonight, since my friend Dave Nehrkorn is getting married tomorrow at noon! With caffeine and a quick leg stretch, and I'm ready for the last bit. 3:10 AM, 8/8/98: Home. Odometer: 6300 miles. I'm glad to be home, and Schwartz, my wonderful, chirping, telepathic cat, is waiting outside my door on the third floor. Approaching Zion National Park from the east |
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Part 1: The Pacific Coast and Idaho Part 2: Montana and Wyoming Part 3: The Great Plains Part 4: Colorado, Utah and the desert Home Page |