Archive for the ‘Roads Scholars 2009’ Category

August1

Cedar Breaks: The Love Child of Zion and Bryce

By: JoAnna

Cedar Breaks: The Love Child of Zion and BryceWe’ve hiked the trails in Zion. We “did” Bryce Canyon. We’ve visited the Grand Canyon — both rims, one in the winter and one in the summer. When it comes to traveling the national parks of the spectacular Southwest, we’ve made a dent.

Utah, in particular, is filled with gorgeous national parks. You leave Zion just to enter Bryce. When you leave Bryce, it’s easy to head for Capitol Reef. Drive just a touch further and you’ve reached Arches.

With all the excitement of bouncing back and forth between these national parks that are frequently cited as “must sees,” it’s easy to forget a small spot located only 56 miles to the west of Bryce and an even shorter drive north out of Zion’s Kolob Canyons area.

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July28

Images from Bryce Canyon National Park

By: JoAnna

There is more to Bryce Canyon National Park than the brilliant orange color seeping from the hoodoos.

Balancing cairns on Queens Garden Trail.

Images from Bryce Canyon National Park

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Posted in: Photos, Roads Scholars 20090 comments

July28

Deciphering the Secret at Bryce Canyon

By: JoAnna

Deciphering the Secret at Bryce CanyonAt the Grand Canyon, you stand at the edge, peering into a gaping hole, the splendor of the canyon sweeping before you. At Badlands National Park, the unforgiving precipices exist as far as the eye can see. In Yosemite National Park, the waterfalls and cliff faces surround you.

When I travel to national parks, it is usually obvious why I’m supposed to be impressed. There is a moment of catching my breath, of blinking once again … just to make sure I’m seeing what is really in front of me.

Not so with Bryce Canyon National Park.

The afternoon we arrived in Bryce, we decided to drive to Rainbow Point, the southernmost area of the park accessible by car. I stood at the lookout, trying to be impressed. Okay … there were a few distinct rock formations with a funky orange color, but so what?

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Posted in: Contemplation, Go, Roads Scholars 200912 comments

July9

Images from Yosemite National Park

By: JoAnna

My debut visit to California’s Yosemite National Park was met with 4th of July crowds and a prescribed burn. People and smoke … lots of both. Nonetheless, we managed to capture some beautiful pictures of the park.

On the Mist Trail:

Images from Yosemite National Park

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Posted in: Photos, Roads Scholars 20090 comments

July9

That Guy … or, My First Day in Yosemite Valley

By: JoAnna

(Note: This was written Thursday, July 2.)

That Guy ... or, My First Day in Yosemite ValleyWhen I first travel to a national park, I have little choice but to be That Guy. I don’t know the lay of the land, I am unfamiliar with the famous landmarks and I yearn to learn about the biggies that make a park worthy of national park designation.

Hence my day as That Guy in Yosemite Valley. An estimated four million people visit Yosemite National Park every year, and most of them squeeze into the approximately two percent of the park that makes up the Yosemite Valley. To say that Yosemite is too crowded is an understatement. The bad news is that being That Guy requires taking my place among those four million in that two percent worth of space.

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Posted in: Do, Go, Roads Scholars 20095 comments

July6

A Gallon of History in King’s Canyon

By: JoAnna

A Gallon of History in Kings CanyonFar away from anywhere, the snake-like road of King’s Canyon National Park in California offers few amenities for the curious explorer. Due to the unusual layout of the park, in order to travel from the western portion of the park to the eastern portion, drivers have to pass through Sequoia National Forest and Giant Sequoia National Monument. In this non–national park designated part of the drive is the Kings Canyon Lodge, a sleepy cluster of buildings that don’t at all resemble the stereotypical lodge, which offers the only place to get gas in the area.

We pulled into the parking lot. We didn’t see another car. Two tall, tubular devises sat in the middle of the lot. A sign was taped to the device:

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Posted in: Do, Go, Roads Scholars 20091 comments

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