GSA 2019 Grand Teton & Yellowstone National Parks

Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks have to be two of the best known and popular national parks to visit.  Although we visited Yellowstone last summer, we felt we didn't have enough time to see it properly so it made it back on the list for a visit this summer. Since they are so close together, it's worth it to see them both at the same time.

Yellowstone Bison

This BIG guy was right on the side of the road. See the yellow line? We were in the other lane driving when we saw this bison. He was HUGE!! 

Our new base was Idaho Falls. Our original campground was about 25 miles outside of Idaho Falls. After experiencing sprinklers coating our coach with hard water during the night, we moved to another campground that was near downtown Idaho Falls on the Snake River. When Andy checked in he received the following gift:

My "birthday" snake

He promptly declared this to be an early birthday gift. Most of you know I HATE snakes so you can appreciate the sarcasm in this "gift".  :) 

We did do some exploring along Idaho Falls and walked along the falls and Japanese gardens downtown. Idaho Falls reminds me a lot of the falls in Sioux Falls, SD.

Falls in Idaho Falls 

The Tetons are magnificent. There is nothing like seeing these peaks that rise directly from the prairie. 

Jenny Lake, Grand Teton National Park

A common photo op with cabins in the forefront

Small Episcopal Church in the park - what a view from behind the altar!

Grand Tetons rising above the clouds

View of the Tetons from the top of the Gondola

A side trip we took was to the Jackson Hole Ski area where we took the gondola ride to the top of the mountain (34 degrees at the top). This was the first BEAR sighting of the trip as those on the right side of the gondola were able to see a bear moving up the side of the mountain. (I, alas, was on the left side of the gondola.) 

For my birthday we took an overnight trip to West Yellowstone, stopping at Mesa Falls in Idaho along the way.

Mesa Falls, Idaho 

We purposely visited Yellowstone in the evening, because the animals are more active at night and there is a better chance of seeing wildlife. Anytime something is spotted, there is usually a backup on the road from people stopping. Our first sighting was a moose, although he was too far away to get a decent picture.  Our next sightings were of pronghorn antelope. 

Again, Andy sees a bear but by the time he tells me, we are past it and I have missed it. (In case you're counting, that's Andy bear sightings 2, Jean 0.) But we hit the jackpot with the buffalo. Our best and close up view was the first picture (above). It's amazing how close we were, and just how big an animal they are. Technically, we were closer than park rangers recommend, but we were in the car and just happened upon that big guy walking along side the road. The following morning we also saw buffalo close to the road. and huge herds in meadows.

Another picture of how close they get to the roads 

We also pulled off at a turnoff and this time they were right up close to the parking lot. One gal was no more than 10 feet away from one of them! We choose not to get out at that stop. We also saw deer and bighorn sheep, and maybe an elk (too far away).

On our first trip to Yellowstone, we concentrated on the west loop, seeing Old Faithful and the many geysers on that part of the loop. This time we took the east and south loops and were able to see the Grand Canyon area of the Yellowstone River. 

Yellowstone River Canyon

Mud hole in the park

Yellowstone gets my vote for being one of the most diverse national parks. You can see geysers, hot springs, mountains, rivers, canyons, lakes, and valley's, not to mention all the different types of wildlife. We were disappointed that we didn't see more bears, but maybe we will see some at Glacier National Park when we go there. So far we've been to 8 national parks this summer! Up next, Montana and Glacier National Park. 

GSA 2019 Utah Rocks-Finishing Up the Big 5

Our 2 weeks in Moab were full as we finished up the Big 5 (as they are referred to) of national parks in Utah.

My T-shirt of the Big 5 

The Big 5 are Bryce, Zion, Capitol Reef, Arches & Canyonlands National Parks. As someone commented to me, they are all rock based, but they are unique in their own ways.  On the way to Moab, we did the Scenic Hwy 12 route through central Utah, which took us through Capitol Reef. The drive was beautiful. We were a bit worried because there were two tunnels to go through, both labeled at 13'6". (That is very close to the height of our RV.) We made it through both of them without any trouble. :) Hwy. 12 is narrow (no shoulder) and at times I made the comment "keep your eyes on the road" because the drop offs were severe. 

After arriving in Moab, we set out for Arches National  Park first. 

Balanced Rock, Arches National Park

Rock Formations

Another view of Balanced Rock

We both thought Canyonlands was stunning. You drive out on a plateau with grassland on both sides of the road, not realizing that anywhere from 200-500 yards from the road are canyons that drop off thousands of feet. I should clarify that we were in the Island in the Sky section of the park. The other two sections are more remote (one accessible by hiking or atv only).

These rival the Grand Canyon!

Mesa Arch, Island in the Sky section of Canyonlands National Park

This is the view you get when you walk up to Mesa Arch and look through to the valley

On the way to Canyonlands, you pass the turn off for Dead Horse Point State Park. We almost didn't go, but decided to see what they had to offer. Again, we weren't disappointed by one of Utah's state parks. According to one legend, the park was once used as a corral for wild horses. Cowboys herded up the horses to the neck of the point. The horses where then corralled. Supposedly the cowboys choose the horses they wanted and left the rest to die of thirst. 

View of the Green River 

Another view 

Is he or isn't he on the edge? 

We also did another UTV trip with friends James and Connie R. while in Moab. This ride went up steep stretches of rocks known as slickrock. We also saw dinosaur remains. 

Our tour guide took this picture 

We also met Robert and Deborah L., fellow Tiffin owners who were also heading to the Tiffin rally in Rock Springs, WY. Thanks for reaching out on Facebook, Robert! The Tiffin rally was fun and we had a chance to get caught up on some of our annual maintenance needs as well as hang out with other Tiffin 40 IH owners and swap stories. 

Next up are two more national parks, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, the 7th and 8th national parks of the season. 

GSA 2019 Grand Canyon North Rim, Snow Canyon State Park & Valley of Fire State Park

We saw a lot while we were in Hurricane. In addition to national parks, we took in a couple of state parks. While the national parks are the big draw, the state parks offer just as good views of scenery and are much less crowded.

Breathtaking!

One of our first views after we entered Grand Canyon North Rim Nat'l Park

We finally replaced our USA map and updated it. (We removed the previous one when we had the slides painted.) 

States we haven't been to (of the lower 48) are CA, NV, KT, NJ, DE, and RI.  Our criteria is that we must have stayed overnight at least once in each state for it to count. 

Back to our trips... next up was Snow Canyon State Park. Indians originally used the canyon, then Mormon pioneers discovered it in the 1850's. Originally called Dixie State Park, it was later renamed for Lorenzo & Erastus Snow, prominent UT pioneering leaders. The canyon was the site of (Hollywood films) Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid, The Electric Horsemen, and Jeremiah Johnson. 

Jenny's Canyon

This is the view looking up from the floor of Jenny's Canyon

A new adventure for us was to rent an UTV (Utility Transport Vehicle) and do a tour with a guide of areas outside of Hurricane. These vehicles provide a way to see things where a normal car can not go. Here we are with our vehicle. Our guide, Kevin, led us through the trails.

These rocks are nicknamed Flintstone Rocks 

Cacti in bloom

Valley of Fire State Park is actually in Nevada. It's about a 2 hour drive from Hurricane. Valley of Fire derives its name from red sandstone formations, formed from great shifting sand dunes during the age of dinosaurs, 150 million years ago. Complex uplifting and faulting of the region, followed by extensive erosion, have created the current landscape. 

These red rocks get their color from iron oxide

We're always amazed at the rocks and the differences in them due to the elements & erosion 

On June 1 we headed to Moab, UT for a couple of weeks. We were able to finish visiting all 5 of the national parks in UT, and see more awesome scenery. Stay tuned!

GSA 2019 - Lake Powell, Zion & Bryce Canyon National Parks

Well, it's time to officially kick off the Great Summer Adventure (GSA) of 2019. After leaving Red Bay, (there for a week-the shortest amount of time we've ever been there) we started heading west towards UT. We did the 26 hour trip in 5 days, dry camping several places along the way. On the way there, we stopped at Four Corners National Monument, the only place in the U.S. where 4 states - CO, AZ, NM, and UT - meet in one place, and took the obligatory picture of me having various body parts in 4 different states at one time. From there we headed to Page, AZ, home of Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell. Since we were only there for 2 days, several of the tours we wanted to take were booked. We decided to spurge on a helicopter tour of the dam, Lake Powell, Horseshoe Bend, and Tower Butte. The helicopter landed on top of the 1000 ft. high tower butte-the only way to get there since climbing is not allowed on Navajo Indian Reservation land. There is no substituting a helicopter ride for being up close and personal to scenery! We lucked out with being the only passengers (helicopter can hold up to 6) - being able to ride up front where we had the best views from the windows.

Great Aerial View from the helicopter of the Colorado River

Four Corners National Monument with Me in 4 states at one time!

Our pilot, Angela, and us outside the helicopter

Glen Canyon Dam 

Tower Butte (before we landed) 

On top of Tower Butte 

Horseshoe Bend from the air 

From Page it was a short trip to Hurricane, UT (pronounced hur-i-cun) to Willow Wind RV Park. We often make reservations for parks sight unseen, so it is always good to arrive at a place and find a nice, clean park that is up to date and well taken care of.  After 5 days of being on the road we were ready to set up camp and not have to move for a month. This would be our base for exploring Zion, Bryce Canyon and Grand Canyon (North Rim) National Parks. Hurricane is a short 25 minute drive from St. George, UT. 

Years ago I had been to Zion & Bryce National Parks with my friend Denise. I had remembered both as beautiful, but I liked Zion better because it had more greenery. This time I think I have reversed my opinion! (Although it is hard to compare national parks when they are all unique and stunning in their own ways.) During the summer season, you can only view Zion by going on a (free) shuttle bus through the park. There are several stops where you can get off and take hikes. One of things that I had remembered the most from my previous trip was "the Narrows", where you walk between canyon walls. This time it was closed due to spring snow melt/run off - which can lead to flash floods. I was disappointed that Andy could not see that part of the park. 

Checkerboard Mesa, Zion National Park

Zion

More Rock Formations, Zion

A beautiful clear day to view all of this! 

Zion

Lots of contrast between the trees and rocks 

We came into Zion from the east entrance (no shuttle on that road), where most of these pictures were taken. At Canyon Junction we parked and then boarded the shuttle. We did stop and take the hike at the Lower Emerald Pool Trail (one of the easier ones!). 

Bryce is stunning, to say the least. Zion & Bryce Canyon parks are only 72 miles apart, but completely different in how they look. Bryce is famous for its "hoodoos". Hoodoos come from erosion out of cliffs where rows of narrow walls form. Frost-wedging (water seeping into rocks, freezing and thawing causing cracks in the rocks) occurs, creating holes or windows. As the windows grow, the tops eventually collapse, leaving a column. Rain further dissolves these pillars into the spires we call hoodoos. Bryce Canyon National Park is constantly evolving with the forces of weathering and erosion.

Bryce also runs a shuttle, but it is optional. We were able to drive the the scenic route through the park, and didn't have any trouble finding parking at each of the stops. 

Rock Formations at Bryce

Close up of Hoodoos 

Bryce

Natural Bridge, Bryce Canyon 

There are trees at Bryce (contrary to my memory!)

Still snow in the higher elevations on May 11

Can you see the holes in the rock walls?

More hoodoos

As always, we are in awe of the beauty and diversity of our national parks. We can't say enough about how lucky we are to be able to view these parks, and have them at our disposal in our country. We are amazed that when we are at a national park, we hear a lot of foreign languages - German, French, Japanese, and others we don't recognize. 

Grand Canyon (North Rim) comes up next, so that will wait for the next installment of our GSA.