Bryce Canyon National Park

After a a fun stay in Zion, we headed over to Bryce National Park. The drive was about 2 hours. On the way we stopped at Checkerboard Mesa. It stands tall, about 10 miles from the end of the tunnel on Highway 9, resembling a checkerboard.

Checkerboard Mesa rising tall

Closeup view of Checkerboard Mesa 

We could not imagine what Bryce looked like. We had a long way to go before we even entered the park, but were gladly welcomed with views like this.

Hoodoos along the UT 12 driving in from UT 89

The drive on UT 12 was just so beautiful. It was almost sunset and the entire area was lit up in hues of red \ orange and brown. The picture below is of the Red Canyon Tunnel which was a gateway to a natural wonder.

Red  Canyon Tunnel

Days spent at Bryce: 1 night and a day

Best place to stay: Stay within the park or near the entrance if possible. There are also hotels in Tropic, about 7 miles from the entrance. Staying closer to the park is convenient should you wish to go back into the park to see the spectacular night sky (which you must!).

Some of the things we would recommend to experience the park are the following:

** MUST SEE VISTA POINTS**

We whole heartedly recommend the following must see vista points: 

1. Sunrise Point
2. Sunset Point
3. Inspiration Point
4. Bryce Point

The names to these points are very apt and say it all as to the experience to expect. As you may have guessed, the best times to be at Sunrise and Sunset points are at Sunrise and Sunset. Bryce Point Amphitheater is a must see. The views are fantastic.

** HIKE AMONGST THE HOODOOS IN QUEENS GARDEN**

One of the best ways to experience the park is of walk among'st the hoodoos. The Queens Garden trail is a popular one and is quite easy to hike down from the rim to the base amongst the hoodoos. It is steep in some parts but manageable. I would not recommend strollers. Its best to leave them at the rim and walk down. Its just beautiful. If hiking with smaller children please hold on to them since the path can be narrow at points with sharp drop-offs.

Close up of the Hoodoos

For more information on hoodoos click on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoodoo_(geology).

** VIEW THE NIGHT SKY**

This is a must see and you should try and avail of this opportunity to see the Milky Way over Inspiration Point. Do check the weather when planning to avoid disappointment. We had an exceptionally cloudy sky that day however we were rewarded the next day at Arches National Park. 

Things to Note:

The popular vista points can be experienced in about half a day. However,  if you plan on hiking, more time will be required. The views are very pretty, some with expansive views of the park and some with numerous hoodoos with the sunlight doing its magic. The pictures below say it all.

It was very cold that day ( Memorial Day Weekend ). Do plan to carry warm jackets\ sweaters and mittens. The temperature in Zion the previous day was in the upper 80's F, however at Bryce it must have been around 60 F. What a vast difference! 

Photo opportunities: Bryce canyon is known for its natural beauty. On that extremely partially cloudy day, each moment brought a different color to the hoodoos with the sun peeping from behind the clouds. Amphitheatre \ Bryce Point in particular was one that we most enjoyed.   

View from a vista point

View while hiking down the Queen's Garden Trail

The multi colored hoodoos

Hikers on the trail amidst the Hoodoos. 

One of the best vistas to visit

Hoodoos

View from Amphitheatre

The Grottos and arches

Bryce Canyon = CHECK. Our next destination was Arches NP. More about it in my forth coming post. Till then enjoy viewing the pics.

Zion National Park, Utah

One of my favorite destinations. Zion. As quoted in http://www.zionnational-park.com "Unlike the Grand Canyon where you stand on the rim and look down into the canyon, in Zion you stand on the canyon floor and look up! "

To see the route we took, click HERE. The quaint little town of Springdale is the closest and the most convenient place to stay if you are visiting Zion. Surrounded with deep red colored towering mountain walls all around, it is beautiful at sunrise and sunset! To ease traffic, there are regular free commuter buses to the entrance of the park. With various stops near the hotels along the way, this is one easy way to experience the park to hop on and off at your convenience. The buses are however available only from April to October. The transfer buses stop at the visitor centre from where you can pay your park tickets and take pictures with the sign board for your scrapbook, then board the shuttles to enter the park.

 

Road leading towards Springdale

Parking is limited near the visitor centre considering the crowds that visit during the summer months.

WHAT TO SEE :

Travelling with a toddler you are restricted to hikes and look-out points which are easy/moderate and can support stroller access. Here are some of the must dos:

RIVERSIDE WALK TEMPLE OF SINAWAVA.

Pathway along the Riverside walk

This is the last point on the park shuttle route. A very nice hike for the evening. The walk is along the Virgin river and is very scenic. You will be walking very close and parallel to the towering walls of the narrow canyon and the river. This is a easy stroller friendly hike. Kids would definitely enjoy this. The end of the riverside walk is the rock formation called the Temple of Sinawawa. This is also the entrance for hiking the Narrows. Typically the Narrows are closed for hiking until mid-june due to high water levels. However please check the nps.gov website for updates. Hiking the narrows can be challenging with smaller children since you would be hiking in knee deep water or more in places. So plan accordingly.

BIG BEND:

Standing here one can get a 360 degree angle view of the majestic rock formations and of the Virgin river. It would definitely make a beautiful panoramic picture.

WEEPING ROCK:

The hike to this point from the bus stop is pretty steep but the view is so worth it. The view is amazing from up here. Its a high open colorful rock cave with water dripping from the rocks and hanging gardens above. You can get views of the entire canyon standing here. Due to the dampness it can be a little chill. Don't miss out on this trail.

Weeping Rock photo point

Picturesque view of the valley from Weeping rock point

LOWER EMERALD POOL TRAIL:

Trail to Lower Emerald Pool Trail

This is a gradual, uphill walk that leads you to one of the prettiest waterfalls with a pool that has an emerald color.

View from under the Emerald falls

COURT OF THE PATRIARCHS:

View from Court of the Patriarchs

Get an impressive view of the towering peaks of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, The Moroni and Sentinel. The trail is a short but steep and is well paved with some great views once on top. 

PA'RUS TRAIL:

This is a easy and very scenic trail along the virgin river, you can use it to get from the Zion visitor center to canyon junction or vice-versa with unique vistas facing either direction.

View from the Pa'rus Trail

The view from Canyon Junction

CANYON OVERLOOK TRAIL:

Valley view with switchbacks from Canyon overlook trail

This trail is a little beyond the Zion tunnel toward Mt Carmel Junction. Inaccessible to strollers or wheelchairs, it is about a 1 mile hike up and definitely not for those who are have fear of heights. There are a couple of steep drop offs and the path has a rocky climb. At one point you will have to bend low at a caved in area. Once on the top, the views are unimaginable. You will be standing about a 1000 ft above the valley. The area is fenced near the edge. The steep switchbacks and the towering cliffs with the amazing view of the entire valley make it one good reason to make the trek up.

ANGELS LANDING:

Zoomed in view from the bus looking up towards people trekking on Angels Landing

Hiking the Angels Landing, well that's for another visit.  Please check the nps.gov website for more information.

Antelope Canyon & Horse Shoe Bend , Arizona

Over the Memorial Day long weekend, we decided to visit Upper Antelope Canyon. We planned to drop in and spend some time at the Grand Canyon on the way and then drive on to Page, Arizona. This little town is perched over 4000 ft above sea level. Very pretty and well lit up as the Glen Canyon Dam and the Colorado river are just a stones throw away. It was a little windy with a slight nip in the air.

Sunbeam in the canyon

Mommy \ Daddy & Baby Summer Event

This is all about the Mommy n Me program that takes place every 2nd Tuesday at Park Valencia , Santana Row and the 2nd Wednesday in West Gate shopping Mall near Ross. If you are a new mom looking for friends, or just wanting to get out and enjoy the warm weather with your baby, or let your toddler experience something new this year, then this is for you.. Keep reading on and share it with someone you know or would be happy to get to know!

Each month there are new activities planned for the moms and babies. From face painting, to the melodious and rhythmic music of Andy Z to Halloween, Christmas or baking events or the talking parrot show ,it has something for everyone. Free balloons for each kid ( till supplies last ) craft activities like making a picture frame or just dancing and lazing around to even taking pictures with famous characters like Cat in the hat or even listening to stories.

This year the Kick off is on May 8th. Save the date for some fun activities for your kids with characters like Curious George, Clifford the Big Red Dog and the Happy Birds Show and more. Get the days program at the desk near the stage area. The activities differ from year to year. Please check the website for more details.

My Thoughts :

Kids love face painting and the lady does a great job!. They are available just opposite the park from 10-12 pm.
Carry some some snacks, water, sunscreen and a wide brimmed hat for yourselves.
Don't forget your camera or video. You will treasure these pics for years to come of your kids in action!
You can opt for reminders for the monthly events so you don't miss out on any upcoming event.

Here are some pictures from the events I attended the last two years. I hope Mommy and Baby ( even Daddy too ) have a great summer together.

Happy Birds

Monument Valley

This was a destination we wanted to visit for a very long time!

The route from Arches National Park to Monument Valley was unique. We drove parallel to the Moab Fault. Very picturesque with varied stone colors and formations. Trivia from an information board stated that there was a break in the earths surface some 6 million years ago.

Along the way we passed Mexican Hat. The place gets its name from Sombrero which in English refers to a wide brimmed hat that originated in Mexico. En-route from Mexican Hat to Monument Valley, the San Juan river snakes its way through the canyons. You will get to cross the San Juan river near San Juan Inn. The bridge is old and unique.

After about 3 hours of driving from Arches... this was the view in front of us! This isn't the entrance to the park. But the road leads you there. Its an immense feeling as every mile brings you closer from this point on wards. Some good road trip music helps the mood even better!

There is an entrance fee to enter the park. On reaching the visitor centre parking lot, this is the view that greets you - the famous mittens and the buttes ( below )

The above picture was taken from the visitor centre parking lot at sunset. Amazing isn't it! This is one of the best spots for sunset. From the visitor centre there is a 14 mile dirt road down through the mittens the buttes and to the famous John Ford Point. You can either take a guided tour or drive in your own vehicle. A 4x4 and high clearance vehicle is recommended. Driving is restricted to 5-10 mph, on uneven dirt/stony surface . Don't forget to roll-up your windows, as there are also other vehicles driving along and kicking dust.

Taking a guided tour is great if you want additional viewing as the guides have more access to areas that are considered of great importance to their culture. Driving in your own vehicle will require you to stay on the main road itself. The drive to John Ford's point and back was around 30 mins each way approximately. Please check with the ranger for self guided trails.

The above picture is taken from John Ford Point. If you are lucky you may find a cowboy sitting on a horse at the rim. With the gorgeous backdrop, you will surely get some stunning pics. Some movies In Monument Valley are referred in this link. 

It is surely an incredible experience travelling on this magnificent land. After being there gives you an idea why the Native Americans considered it sacred! Some of the butte mittens to see are East and West Mittens, Elephant Butte, Three sisters, Totem Pole, The Thumb and John Ford Point. A point to be noted. The cowboy standing with the horse do charge for a picture. For a minimal amount you can also use the same cowboy hat and the vest and take a picture with the beautiful backdrop. 

We had the opportunity to visit and enjoy it. We hope you have a great experience as well.

UTAH

Utah... is defined by its terrain. Absolutely stunning landscapes, which include the Navajo Indian Nation, have also featured in Hollywood's famous movies like Stagecoach, Mission Impossible II National Lampoon's Vacation even music videos and television. The Landscape is fantastic and nothing can prepare you for this. The unique sandstone formations make it a must see attraction.

The proximity of the National parks and the national monuments, that have a few hours driving , allows visitors to make a planned round trip. The drive between each park was phenomenal.

Pretty Pumpkin Patches

Come October and every parent will be scurrying to get their kids their Halloween outfits, go trick or treating and even visit a nearby pumpkin patch. Many spring up during this time and all look very festive with pumpkins adored in every nook and corner.

When my son was a year old, I was on the lookout for a pumpkin patch. Of all, Lemos Farm in Half Moon Bay, Ca & Uesugi Farms in Morgan Hill, Ca are still my two favorite places.




Lemos Farm had a petting zoo, a hay ride that took the excited little toddlers for a good 20 min ride through the pumpkin patches. The entire setup with the choo choo train that enthralls a kid of any age is a must. This is a popular place for kids specially toddlers specially during halloween. The route from 280 to half Moon Bay can get pretty crowded and traffic jams lasting even upto 1 1\2 hr can occur. So plan your day accordingly. There is ample parking behind the farm. With cars pulling in and out of the parking lot, be prepared for a dusty setting.

Opposite Lemos Farm, we entered into another patch which had different colored squashes ranging from the littlest to the largest. This setting of pumpkins\ squashes lined so meticulously in the field made for some great portrait pictures.

The famous Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival takes place during this time too. Crowds throng the area to see Farmer Mike carve the pumpkins. Save the date for the 2012 Festival. Click here for more details. http://www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/about_show.html

Uesugi Farm:
This is yet another favorite. The entrance itself is a brilliant idea. You will pass through a corn field where the stalks are more than 10 ft in height. The parking is within the park as is very organised. The entrance will take your breath away. Marigolds in plenty with massive extra large sunflowers beaming in the sun with bees humming around and a walk through corn plantation small enough for young kids yet fascinating for the young minds.

The hayride seen above is a must. You will be pleasantly surprised. Its a hit with the kids. You will pass through the corn field, butterfly and marigold field. 

 

The weather in October is usually pleasant however out in the field it can get pretty hot. Drink lots of water and keep yourself hydrated. The pass for the rides doesn't include all of the attractions. You may have to purchase it separately. Live music, petting zoo, pony ride and the cow train will keep your kids entertained.

If you are going:
Lemos Farm is located at 12320 San Mateo Road ( Highway 92 ) Half Moon Bay, Ca
Uesugi Farms is located at  14485 Monterey Rd, San Martin, Ca 95046

Redwood National Park

Entering the Redwoods National Park Area

In September 2010, we travelled to the northern most part of California to see and enjoy the tallest trees in the world. It is located in the Redwood National Park between Eureka, CA & Crescent City, CA. We decided to spend 2 days there. This place intrigued me more as I always wanted to see Roosevelt elk ! Our journey here gave us more than what we expected... elk at a safe yet close distance, the tallest trees in the world, an unforgettable experience going to fern canyon, some great views of the Crescent Bay and some old Victorian houses in Eureka.

Death Valley National Park

This valley is located on the east, between the border of California & Nevada and is the hottest, driest and lowest elevation in Northern California. Death Valley is one of the few places we had, on our "To be completed" list. With extreme temperatures in summer, we found that December, January and February are the comfortable months to visit. We visited Death valley in February over the long weekend. The temperatures were between 75-85 and it was still hot !! So, if you have 2 days to spare, read on.. you will find yourself buried in a world of extreme temperatures, salt flats, sand dunes and some amazing landscapes.




View Death Valley- Las Vegas roadtrip in a larger map

We left on a Friday evening, stayed at Bakersfield for the night. Since we had already travelled via CA 178 to US 395 earlier, we changed our route a bit and took CA 58, CA 14, US 395 and CA 190 E. CA 14 is a long uninteresting route and a bit boring  I think. ( if you have already travelled on US 395 earlier ) The scenery is so much more appealing to the eyes for US 395 via CA 178 to US 395 than coming on CA14 and US 395.  The last gas station before you hit CA 190E is just before Fall road,  5 mins before the right turn to Death valley. Make sure you fill up here as there is nothing till Stovepipe Wells! You may not see / pass by anyone for miles if you run out of gas..

For accomodation in the park, we found StovePipe Wells and Furnace Creek to be more populated, lots of stores, gas stations, camp grounds, golf courses and restaurants to satisfy your hunger after a long day. During the busy long weekends and the winter months, accomodations can be pretty tough to get. Do plan your trip in advance to avoid disappointment. It is better to stay in the park rather than to stay in nearby towns 2-3 hours away. http://www.escapetodeathvalley.com/ and http://www.furnacecreekresort.com/ are the two websites that you can refer to.

I found the following facts from NPS.Gov very informative.
- The highest mountain in Death Valley National Park is 11,049 foot Telescope Peak. The vertical drop from the peak to the Badwater Basin is twice the depth of Grand Canyon.
-Rainfall in Death Valley averages less than 2 inches a year. There have been some years of no recorded rainfall at all!

	-In July of 1913, Death Valley recorded five consecutive days of 129 degrees or above. On July the 10th, a reading of 134 degrees Fahrenheit was taken. This world record was held for nine years. -The salt pan on the floor of Death Valley covers more than 200 square miles. It is 40 miles long and more than 5 miles wide.

  

Some places to enjoy Sunrise: Dante's View, Zabriskie Point, Sand Dunes, Devils Cornfield, Badwater & Furnace Creek.
Some places to enjoy Sunset: Artists Drive, Sand Dunes, Zabriskie Point &Badwater Salt Flats.
( Be there an hour after sunrise & an hour before sunset )

 In general, just driving in Death Valley is an expereince in itself with its very unqiue and distinctive vistas. However, the following are the "Not to miss" areas that we can recommend:

• Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes:

This Dune is close to Stovepipe Wells. You can walk as far and for however long you want. Easy to access from the parking lot. Great to view sunset as the late afternoon light accentuates the patterns and ripples of the dunes. You will also notice people walking the sand dunes at night to view wildlife. A torch may come in handy at times. We stopped here to view the night sky which was just awesome. There are no street lights and the dark surroundings make it a fantastic place for night photography on a clear night.

Mesquite Sand Dunes

Very close to the the sand dunes is the Devil's Corn-field and the spot which marks 'sea-level'. These lend themselves to be nice photo spots. As we approach the furnace creek area there is also the Harmony Borax mine turned museum which you can drive through.

• Furnace Creek Golf Course: 

This is the world's lowest golf course @ 214 ft. below sea level. There is an oasis with Date Palm trees that looks very pretty.

Date Palms

•  Artist's Drive:

This drive can be done on the way in or on the way out after seeing the vista points on Badwater Road. Stop by Artist's Palette and view the kaleidoscope of color formations from a very close distance. The rock color formations that you will see are purple, red, black, yellow, pink. This is best seen at sunset when the colors actually stand out. During the day the colors look washed out but are still visible.  You will get an exceptional view from your rear view mirror about 100 - 200 feet after you take the road ( left or right ) from Badwater road of the basin below. Motor homes and Rv's are not permitted. The road up has tight curves and you will feel as you are on a roller coaster, dipping up and down between the road and the rock formations. At the end you will see the white stretch of the salt water basins. The view and drive is incredible.

Artists Drive

Close to the Artists drive is a very interesting Natural Arch which can be visited incase you haven't seen one earlier.

• Devil's Golf Course: 

This has nothing to do with an actual golf course and is a must see. It is a large salt pan and the rock salt that has been eroded by wind and rain is carved into jagged crystal spires. One has to be very careful, as a fall on this can cause serious cuts and injuries. Take a closer look at the spires. Its beautiful. The road to the course is unpaved with a parking lot. If you are visiting in the evening, carry a jacket as the temperature can suddenly drop, can be windy and cold.

Devils Golf Course

Salt crystal spires

•  Badwater Basin:  

This is the lowest elevation in the US @ 282 ft below sea level and is a must see. From the parking lot, look above on the cliff side, you will see a sign board that states the sea level. Badwater is a salt flat basin. Repeated freeze–thaw and evaporation cycles gradually push the thin salt crust into hexagonal honeycomb shapes. Be sure to wear inexpensive shoes as you will get salt residue on the sides and the bottom. You can venture as far out as you want. The hexagon squares are clearly visible if you walk far out into the basin as they are untouched from the hundreds of people that come to Death Valley. Like Devils Golfcourse, if you are visiting in the evening, carry a jacket as the temperature can suddenly drop, be windy and cold.

Badwater Basin

•  Zabriskie Point: 

From the parking lot, it is a 5 mins wheelchair accessible uphill walk. This point is noted for its erosional landscape and geological formations. Some areas are dangerous even though they have walls surrounding them, its not very high. Hang on to your kids. You will be surrounded by a maze of eroded and vibrantly colored badlands, this place is out of this world. It is a spectacular view. 

Zabriskie Point

•   Dante's View:

This was one of my favorite view points. It stands 5000 ft above and is a birds eyeview of Death Valley. The road up here is windy and steep specially towards the end. Trailers, RV's and buses are not recommended. Once up, the weather can be different. In February, it was freezing temperatures and very windy at noon. The view is spectacular. There is no railing \ wall for protection. You have to take great precaution if you are travelling with kids. One mistake and you are 5000 ft below onto Badwater road.

Dante's View

• Racetrack Playa:

We plan to visit again to see this place as as we were not too comfortable going there with our 2 yr old son. Access to this area also requires driving about 27 miles on an isolated dirt road and a high clearance 4WD vehicle is recommended. One can be rented from Furnace Creek Area. Based on our research, one would need to plan for about 4 hours round trip if starting from the furnace creek area. Will keep you updated.

There are hikes and other activities that you can do. Please visit http://www.nps.gov/deva/planyourvisit/places-to-go.htm for more details.

( A word of caution.. Since cell phone service is limited, it is always advisable to carry maps, know your GPS. I always use quickest route on my journeys, as the shortest route has many times taken me on some unknown, unfamiliar path which may be dangerous. If you think you are on the wrong path, turn around. Sometimes its best to trust your instincts especially if you see yourself driving off-path, than rely on the GPS .. you will be thankful you did.
I have read a couple of instances where there have been deaths because of incorrect decisions in the Death Valley. Always have someone know your whereabouts and the location where you are going. And stay safe.

CA 190 towards Death Valley from US 395

From Death Valley we drove to Las Vegas via Pahrump for the rest of the holiday.